Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS (PTA.AAS)

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a two-year course of study designed to prepare the student for the PTA licensing exam. Physical therapist assistants work with people of all ages suffering from weakness, stroke, surgery, orthopedic problems, wounds, spinal cord injury, and brain injury to help them achieve their rehabilitation goals. Physical therapist assistants are usually employed in outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Mohave College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Julie Weiss at 928.505.3347 or email juweiss@mohave.edu. 

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is located on the Lake Havasu City Campus in Lake Havasu City.

Admission Requirements

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Mohave College is highly selective, and accepts up to 20 students to start in the fall semester. All general education coursework must be completed with a GPA of 2.7 or higher. Science courses must be completed within the last 5 years with a passing grade of “C” or higher. Students must complete an application specific to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, and have their admittance into the program confirmed prior to enrolling in any PTA coursework. Program requirement information and application procedures are posted on the Physical Therapist Assistant website.  Acheivement of minimum of 60% on TEAS version 7 required for acceptance. 

Requirements for Graduation

• Completion of all general education coursework specific for the degree with a “C” or higher
• Completion of PTA coursework specific for the degree with a “B” or higher
• Completion of Clinical Practicums with an “A”

Note: For non-physical therapy assistant courses to be eligible for transfer, the student must receive a “C” or higher. Acceptance of transfer course is determined by the receiving institution.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:  
Upon completion of the program students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate safe and effective application of treatment techniques established within the plan of care. (G.E. 3, 5, 6)
2. Demonstrate effective oral, written, and nonverbal communication in a culturally competent manner with patients, their families, colleagues, and the public. (G.E. 2, 4)
3. Demonstrate their ability to contribute as a functional team member within the physical therapy profession. (G.E. 3, 5, 6)
4. Demonstrate safe, effective, moral, ethical and legal behaviors within the scope of physical therapy. (G.E. 1, 3)
5. Demonstrate their role in physical therapy by implementing a comprehensive treatment plan to promote optimal patient outcomes. (G.E 3, 5)
6. Recognize the relationship between concepts leaned from liberal arts and basic science coursework and physical therapy knowledge and skills. (G.E. 1)
7. Demonstrate clinical skills necessary to practice at the entry level for the physical therapist assistant prior to graduation. (G.E. 3)