Physical Therapist Assistant: AAS
Associate in Applied Science | 72 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Health Professions
Program Description:
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) prepares graduates to work as a team to assist the physical therapists (PTs) to manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities. They provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the PT to restore and promote optimal physical function, wellness, and fitness. The PTA assists the PT in the care of individuals of all ages to prevent the onset and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, or injuries.
Students in the PTA program take general education courses, related science courses, and introductory PTA courses in the first year. During the second year of the program, students enroll in physical therapy didactic courses and clinical courses.
Graduates are prepared to perform components of interventions and data collection as well as assess the patient's/client's safety and response to the interventions provided under the direction and supervision of the PT in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. As a PT/PTA team, graduates are prepared to educate and communicate with patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers with recognition of individual, cultural, and economic differences.
Persons interested in this program should be service oriented and comfortable working with diverse people of all age groups in close one-to-one contact. They should enjoy physical activity and be patient and empathetic when instructing others. In addition, they should be able to meet the academic demands of a program that requires a commitment of time, energy, and motivation to learn.
Admission to the program is contingent on meeting established minimum criteria available through the academic advising office and online at the program webpage. Students are also required to complete a health history, immunization record, physical exam, drug test, and criminal background check.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national licensure examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Licensure is required in Missouri and most other states.
Application to the program is selective. The prerequisites for application to the program are based on professional standards and include the following:
- Math Proficiency: Complete ONE of the following prior to application to the program:
- Math ACT score of 22 or higher OR SAT math score of 540 or higher (within the last 3 years)
- Place into MTH 160 or higher on the Accuplacer (Next Gen) (within the last 3 years) Please Note: MTH 161, 165, 166, or 180 will NOT meet the math requirement for the PTA Program.
- Completion of MTH 140 or MTH 140S or higher-level math with a “C” or higher
- English Proficiency: Complete ONE of the following prior to application to the program:
- English ACT score of 18 or higher OR SAT EBRW score of 500 or higher (within the last 3 years)
- Accuplacer (Next Gen) score of 250 or higher (within the last 3 years) OR high school GPA of 2.6 or higher
- Placement into ENG 101 OR completion of ENG 101 will satisfy the English prerequisite.
- Reading Proficiency: Complete ONE of the following prior to application to the program:
- Reading ACT score of 18 or higher OR SAT EBRW score of 500 or higher (within the last 3 years)
- Accuplacer (Next Gen) score of 250 or higher on the Reading Portion (within the last 3 years)
- Demonstrate college-level reading competency.
- Biology:
Location. This program is offered in its entirety at Forest Park and Wildwood.
Licensure. This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri, Illinois, and California. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- demonstrate the skills necessary for a physical therapist assistant.
- discuss the value of contemporary physical therapy through lifelong learning and service.
- communicate with patients/clients, caregivers, and interprofessional team members.
- integrate appropriate evidence-based resources to support clinical decision making.
- develop a professional growth plan for career advancement and learning opportunities to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Entry Requirements | ||
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology I (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4-5 |
| or BIO 140 | Principles of Biology I (MOTR BIOL 150L) | |
| or CHM 101 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | |
| BIO 207 | Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP) | 4 |
| General Education | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) | 3 |
| or COM 107 | Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 |
| PSY 205 | Human Growth and Development (MOTR PSYC 200) | 3 |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| BIO 208 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| PTA 100 | Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant | 2 |
| PTA 110 | Kinesiology Fundamentals | 3 |
| PTA 150 | Medical Conditions in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| PTA 130 | Data Collection and Intervention Techniques for the Physical Therapist Assistant | 4 |
| PTA 140 | Fundamentals of Patient Care for the Physical Therapist Assistant | 4 |
| PTA 120 | Applied Science of the Movement System | 3 |
| PTA 250 | Clinical Education II | 4 |
| PTA 260 | Clinical Education III | 4 |
| PTA 220 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Concepts I | 7 |
| PTA 230 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Concepts II | 3 |
| PTA 206 | Physical Agents | 3 |
| PTA 240 | Health Occupation Seminar | 2 |
| PTA 200 | Clinical Education I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 72-73 | |
Admission and Requirements
Each year, 32 students are accepted on a first come – first serve basis. Of that 32, five positions are available for potential priority admission for individuals who already have earned a bachelor’s degree.
In order to facilitate the entry of students in the available spaces, a waiting list is used. A student is placed on the waiting list once program application prerequisites have been met and a program application has been submitted. Placement on the waiting list is based solely on the date of application. Students will be sent a letter each fall while on the list asking for their intentions to pursue admission to the program. Failure to respond to this letter by the deadline will result in removal from the list. Letters will be sent in the spring to those being offered admission to the program in the fall semester. All those receiving letters must attend a mandatory program orientation scheduled in late April/early May.
The PTA program is a selective admission, college-level program. Students must have successfully completed specific requirements prior to application, including:
- high school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.5
- minimum placement test scores or successful completion of specific courses
- successful completion of “Anatomy and Physiology I” or BIO 207 within the last five years
The Associate in Applied Science degree for Physical Therapist Assistant is not equivalent to the first two years of a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.
Credits that transfer: STLCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program has established an articulation agreement with Maryville University for the benefit of students who wish to continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Practice Management, or a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
Retention Policy
Students must earn a "C" (74%) or above in all PTA courses and maintain an overall G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (C).
Students receiving a "D" or below 74% in PTA courses must repeat these courses. Only one repeat is allowed. The student may not enroll in a course more than two times without an appeal to the Selection and Retention committee. If repeating these courses puts a student out of the program sequence, the student will be able to continue at a later date only if space is available.
No PTA course may be repeated more than once or enrolled in more than twice without review by the retention committee.
Students may only repeat/re-enroll in PTA courses on a space available basis.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2025, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
Pre-Entry Requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology I (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4-5 |
| or BIO 140 | Principles of Biology I (MOTR BIOL 150L) | |
| or CHM 101 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | |
| BIO 207 | Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP) | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 8-9 | |
Full-Time Academic Plan
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| BIO 208 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | BIO 207 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Must be taken in Fall. This can be taken with either PTA 110 or PTA 120. |
| COM 101 or 107 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) or Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | Offered Fall and Spring |
| PTA 110 | Kinesiology Fundamentals | 3 | BIO 207 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Gateway Course, Critical Course. Offered Fall and Spring. This can be taken with PTA 120. |
| PTA 100 | Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant | 2 | Reading Proficiency | Exploratory Course |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| PTA 120 | Applied Science of the Movement System | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in BIO 208 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring. This can be taken with PTA 110. It must be taken first year of program. |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | Offered Fall and Spring |
| PTA 130 | Data Collection and Intervention Techniques for the Physical Therapist Assistant | 4 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in PTA 222 or PTA 110 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Gateway Course |
| PSY 205 | Human Growth and Development (MOTR PSYC 200) | 3 | PSY 200 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |||
| Summer | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| PTA 140 | Fundamentals of Patient Care for the Physical Therapist Assistant | 4 | PTA 214 or PTA 130 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PTA 150 | Medical Conditions in Rehabilitation | 3 | BIO 208 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 10 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| PTA 200 | Clinical Education I | 3 | PTA 105 or PTA 140 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PTA 206 | Physical Agents | 3 | PTA 105 or PTA 140 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PTA 220 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Concepts I | 7 | PTA 105 or PTA 140 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| PTA 230 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Concepts II | 3 | PTA 212 or PTA 220 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PTA 240 | Health Occupation Seminar | 2 | PTA 212 or PTA 220 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PTA 250 | Clinical Education II | 4 | PTA 104 or PTA 200 with a grade of "S" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PTA 260 | Clinical Education III | 4 | PTA 104 or PTA 200 with a grade of "S" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |||
Critical Courses: Critical courses are most important to a student's declared major and most strongly predict later success in the major. A critical course requires a minimal grade to progress to higher-level courses.
Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses are first-semester courses that introduce the program and career field.
Gateway Courses: Gateway courses are courses in many career pathways that must be completed before progression in higher-level courses. These may be the same as critical and/or exploratory courses.
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.