Associate in Science
Health Science Department
Physical Therapist Assistant
PTA-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640).
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Leadership Information
Dr. Kory Thomas
Program Director
(727) 341-3612
For Academic Advising and Program Admissions Information please contact:
Program Summary
Transferable to a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration at SPC. This program begins every August. All Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PHT course prefix) are offered only at the Health Education Center at 7200 66th St. N., Pinellas Park. Due to the time-intensive nature of the PTA program courses, it is highly recommended that students complete as many of the general education and support courses as possible prior to entry into the program. Candidates will also complete the Health Programs Application. It is recommended that all students applying to the PTA program see a counselor or advisor at the Health Education Center.
Florida CIP Code
1351080601 - Physical Therapist Assistant
Federal CIP Code
51.0806 - Physical Therapy Assistant.
Admission Rules
Please review the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Admission Guide. The Admission Guide will outline the admission criteria specific to the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. program as well as explain the timetable for evaluation and further admission correspondence. Please review this information carefully to ensure you submit a complete application at the appropriate time. Only students who satisfy all the application requirements and submit a complete application in accordance with the information detailed in the Admission Guide will be considered for admission. Students must be currently enrolled in or have completed the following courses with grades of "C" or better: BSC 2085 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I (3 credits) BSC 2085L HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY I (1 credit) PHI 1600 - ETHICS or (Honors) (3 credits) HSC 1531 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I (2 credits) Computer/Information Literacy Competency Requirement Grade of “C” or higher required for BSC 2085/L in order to progress to the first term of the PTA Program. Applicants must also complete 24 hours of observation in two different physical therapy settings (inpatient and outpatient).
Admission Notes
Cohorts are admitted in the fall with applications accepted from March 1 - May 15 . All Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PHT) are taken at the Health Education Center, 7200 66th St. N, Pinellas Park, FL. Due to the time-intensive nature of the PTA Program courses, it is highly recommended that you complete as many of the general education and support courses as possible before entering the program.
Graduation Rules
Grade of "C" or better required in all courses. Successful completion (78%) of a comprehensive program exam given at the end of the second year.
Graduation Notes
Completion grade of comprehensive exam changed from 75% to 78% per Richard Flora (2/12/2016).
SUPPORT COURSES
Anatomy and Physiology (Complete 8 credits)
Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Natural Science Core requirement for this AS degree.
MAJOR CORE COURSES
1st Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
2nd Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
3rd Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
4th Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
5th Term in Program
SUPPORT COURSES
Other - Complete 5 credits
SUPPORT COURSES
Psychology (Select 3 credits)
Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Social and Behavioral Science requirement for the AS degree.
SUPPORT COURSES
Computer and Information Literacy Requirement (Complete 1 course)
Competency may be demonstrated by completing the Computer Information and Literacy Exam (CGS1070T) OR by successful completion of one of the approved Computer/Information Literacy Competency courses. No minimum credits required. Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Computer Competency requirement for this AS degree.
SUPPORT COURSES
Ethics (Complete 3 credits)
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Communications - Composition- Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Composition I coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. This requirement must be completed within the first 24 credits of coursework toward the AS degree.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Social and Behavioral Sciences- Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. Completing POS 2041 or POS 2041H or AMH 2020 or AMH 2020H will satisfy the <b><u>course</b></u> component of the Civic Literacy Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Humanities and Fine Arts-Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Humanities and Fine Arts coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. Completing HUM 1020 will also satisfy the Enhanced World View Requirement
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Mathematics-Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Mathematics coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Enhanced World View
Complete at least one 3-credit course intended to enhance the student's world view in light of an increasingly globalized economy. Minimum grade of "C" required. In some cases, this course may also be used to satisfy another General Education Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Civic Literacy
Competency may be demonstrated by completing at least one course from the approved General Education Civic Literacy coursework below (minimum grade of "C" required) <b>AND</b> satisfactory completion of an assessment (exam). This requirement is in compliance with Rule 6A-10.02413 of the Florida Administrative Code.