Physical Therapy student moving arm of a student who is lying on a table.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate in Applied Science


Modes of Instruction

Click here to learn more about the modes of instruction offered at Kaskaskia College.

Physical Therapist Assistants help improve the function and overall health of each patient they care for by using exercise and pain-relieving agents. The PTA profession is a fulfilling and rewarding career that provides job security and potential career advancement.

The Kaskaskia College Physical Therapist Assistant program focuses on preparing students to meet the ever-changing demands in the health care field and takes a hands-on approach to learn in both the classroom and laboratory settings.

*Fully accredited program by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

*State-of-the-art facility and equipment which simulates the workplace

*Multiple clinical affiliations, including specialized physical therapy settings

To apply to the College, please click the Apply button below. To apply to this program, scroll to the bottom of the page and under “Additional Information”, choose the Allied Health Applications link.

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Program Philosophy

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 commitment to a strong competency-based 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.

Program Mission

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program mission is committed to student learning in order to produce an entry-level physical therapist assistant for the labor market while fostering attitudes toward life long education and development of skills.

Program Details

PTAS_500_DEGR

Student Learning Outcomes

(Student and Graduate Goals)

  1. Students will demonstrate competency in implementing complex and comprehensive treatment plans developed by a licensed physical therapist in a variety of settings. (Cognitive domain)
  2. Students will administer and provide care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. (Psychomotor domain)
  3. Students will communicate professionally and effectively with patients, families, colleagues, and the public via verbal, written, and electronic means. (Affective domain)
  4. Students will establish and maintain culturally-competent and age-appropriate communication with patients, families, their significant others, and/or caregivers. (Affective domain)
  5. Students will demonstrate responsibility for professional self-development and continued life-long learning. (Cognitive domain)

Students completing this degree must also complete curriculum requirements aligned with General Education Student Learning Outcomes.

Faculty Goals

  1. Core faculty will demonstrate and maintain contemporary skills practice and knowledge through continuing education and/or professional clinical experiences.
  2. Core faculty will participate in collaboration with other health care professionals and educators to facilitate academic professional growth to maintain contemporary practice and instructional opportunities to program students.
  3. Core faculty will attain tenure status and maintain high quality comprehensive educational standards meeting CAPTE and NPTE expectations.
  4. Core faculty will be an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association

Program Goals

  1. To provide quality education, including comprehensive didactic and clinical experiences, to produce graduates with the current skill sets required as a physical therapist assistant.
  2. To graduate entry-level physical therapist assistants with a strong didactic and clinical skill set who are prepared to pass the national license exam and enter the workforce.
  3. To foster a commitment to life-long learning and professional self-development to maintain contemporary practice and advocacy of the physical therapy profession and society.

Physical Therapist Assistant Faculty

Cheryl Rushing

Cheryl Rushing

Assistant Professor Physical Therapy Assistant
Amy Woltering

Amy Woltering

Assistant Professor Physical Therapy Assistant

Contact Us

Amy Woltering

Assistant Professor Physical Therapy Assistant

Phone  |  618-545-3242

Location  |  Main Campus

Office  |  Health and Professional Careers, PC 113

Admissions

Phone  |  618-545-3040

Fax  |  618-545-3393

Location  |  Main Campus

Office  |  Health and Business, HB 100

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