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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Assistant

A physical therapist assistant (PTA) works under the guidance and supervision of a physical therapist. A PTA helps the physical therapist provide treatments, which may include training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, giving hands-on treatments, using special equipment and reporting patient progress to the physical therapist.

The PTA degree contains prerequisite courses including study in anatomy and physiology, general education/related instruction requirements such as English, math and social science, and the PTA core of physical therapy application courses and practical clinical experience. PTA core courses must be taken in sequence.

Yakima Valley College and Whatcom Community College has partnered to offer the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. The PTA Program allows students to complete the prerequisites at YVC and then apply to WCC for admission into the PTA Program.

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Degree

Physical Therapist Assistant, AS

The Physical Therapist Assistant degree prepares students to work with adult, geriatric and/or pediatric populations in general hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities and school districts. Graduates are eligible for licensure or certification in any state as a physical therapist assistant. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.

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Program information

Application Process

The Yakima Valley College and Whatcom Community College partnership for the PTA Program allows students to complete the prerequisites at YVC and apply to WCC for admission into the PTA Program.
Upon completion of prerequisite courses, apply to Whatcom Community College and to the PTA Program at: www.whatcom.edu/PTA

 

Prerequisite Courses Taken at YVC
Courses Course Title Credits
AH 119 Medical Terminology 5
BA 115 Business Math 5
or MATH& 107 Math in Society  
BIOL& 160 General Biology 5
BIOL& 241 Anatomy & Physiology I 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5
Highly Recommended Courses - Select 1
Courses Course Titles Credits
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications 5
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communications 5
CMST& 220 Public Speaking 5

Career Information

The PTA Program prepares students to work in a variety of settings including:
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Health clubs
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Schools and other pediatric facilities
  • Sports medicine clinics
  • Private practice
  • Home health care agencies
  • Extended care facilities
  • Retirement communities

 

For More Information

 

Questions about the PTA program and Whatcom Community College courses?
Visit www.whatcom.edu/PTA

Questions about YVC prerequisites and general education courses? 

Contact YVC’s Counseling & Advising Center 509.574.4956
Yakima:  Deccio Building, Building 8, Room 164
Grandview:  Main Building, Building 56, Room 121