The philosophy of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program addresses the need for the program to be built on a balance of course work in social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, which is appropriate in depth and breadth, to develop the ability in students to think independently, to weigh values, to understand fundamental theory, and to develop skills for clinical practice, including critical thinking and communication. With a strong foundation, continued education, and experience, the number of competencies should be adequate for entry-level and those existing competencies develop into proficiencies in a lifelong continuum.

The spirit of this criterion is to assure that students are well prepared in the scientific, technical, and behavioral aspects of physical therapy practice and in the foundational arts and sciences that allow practitioners to be critical thinkers and enlightened decision makers.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program mission is to produce entry-level physical therapist assistants for the labor market while fostering attitudes toward life long education and development of skills.

1. To graduate students who will work under the supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner
2. To graduate students who are competent in the implementation of comprehensive treatment plans developed by the physical therapist
3. To graduate students who will perform appropriate measurement techniques to assist the supervising physical therapist in monitoring and modifying the plan of care within the knowledge and limits of practice, and to communicate on a timely basis with the supervising physical therapist about the patient's status
4. To graduate students who will demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public
5. To graduate students who will effectively represent their roles and responsibilities in an ethical manner as physical therapist assistants in the health care delivery system
6. To graduate students with global awareness and a sense of social responsibility and citizenship while respecting the cultural diversity of others