Program Description

The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to become licensed to work in the field of physical therapy as a vital member of the health care profession. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists to provide physical therapy interventions that reduce physical disability, pain, movement dysfunction, and promote optimal health and function.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Greenville Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant program is to meet the needs of the area by providing a pool of qualified graduates for entry-level positions who demonstrate knowledge, competence, professionalism and effective communication skills to enable them to participate successfully as members of an evolving health care community. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality educational opportunities available for students who desire to become physical therapist assistants. The faculty is committed to helping each student achieve his or her fullest potential through a rigorous academic curriculum and individualized clinical experiences. We believe in developing strong partnerships between the health care community and the academic program. We value life-long learning and commitment to continuing education. Through role modeling and mentoring, we encourage our students to participate in professional organizations and community service activities.

Entrance Requirements

High school diploma or GED

See “Program Requirements” Section for additional requirements.

Type of Program

This program is designed as a One-Plus-One program. Phase I includes all of the required general education and related courses that may be taken at Greenville Technical College or any articulating or regionally accredited college. Upon successful completion of all Phase I courses, qualified students are eligible to apply to Phase II, the final four semesters (full-time enrollment) or six semesters (part-time enrollment) of academic and clinical physical therapist\assistant coursework.

• Phase I: Day, evening, online or weekend
• Phase II: Day

Location

Phase II courses are taught at  Greenville Tech’s Benson Campus located in Greer, SC.

Clinical course assignments during Phase II may require students to travel and arrange temporary accommodations away from home.

Employment Opportunities

Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, home health care, private practice

Professional Credentials

Physical Therapist Assistant (subject to passing national licensure exam)

• Graduates of this program must pass a national licensure exam to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

Program Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE):

3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
(800) 999-2782
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: http://www.capteonline.org/home.aspx

 
Visit our web page at https://www.gvltec.edu/pta/.

Phase I Admission Requirements

• Complete Greenville Tech application.
• Submit all high school transcripts or GED and official college transcripts, if applicable.
• Attend Career Talk advising seminar before the March 31 deadline for the year submitting Phase II PTA Weighted Admission Application.
• Meet with a PTA program advisor to plan course progression.

Phase II Admission Requirements

• Complete all of the admissions requirements of Phase I.
• Take the TEAS entrance exam at the Testing Center on the second floor of the Dreisbach/Anderson Student Success Center (Barton Campus, Building 102).
• Submit a completed PTA Program Phase II Weighted Admission Packet to the PTA program director by March 31 of the year students anticipate admission into Phase II. Application can be found on the PTA advising website: https://www.gvltec.edu/pta/.
• Attain a minimum cumulative technical GPA of 2.50 for all 10 required Phase I courses, passing all Phase I courses with a minimum grade of “C” by the second attempt, (this includes W, WF, D or F grades) by the end of the spring semester before entering Phase II the following fall.
• Students are selected for PTA Program Phase II admission based upon competitive Weighted Admissions score ranking. Students with the highest scores are accepted on a space availability basis. Weighted admission criteria can be obtained at a Career Talk session. Minimum Weighted Admission Score to be considered for admission is 158/263.
• BIO 150 Anatomy Review for Kinesiology (for Physical Therapist Assistant majors) must be completed within five years of admission to Phase II and is offered only at GTC or York Technical College.

After acceptance into Phase II

Students will be required to

• Submit a non-refundable $100 deposit, applied toward Phase II tuition, to secure a seat in Phase II for the Fall Semester.
• Attend new PTA program student orientation.
• Have a negative 10-panel drug screen report.
• Have an acceptable criminal background report. Students may be subject to more than one background check during the program based on affiliate requirements.
• Submit a physical exam with documentation of required immunizations.
• Submit documentation of current Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
• Complete all preclinical training modules.
• Be able to attend all clinical experiences, which require driving to and from clinical sites.
• Pass the PTA Program Physical Competency Assessment. Form located on https://www.gvltec.edu/pta/ under the link, “Is PTA Right for You?”

Listed below is the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.

Course List

Course	Title	Hours
Phase I
All courses listed under first and second semester are required prior to acceptance into Phase II.
First Semester (Full Time)
ENG 101	English Composition I 1	3
or ENG 102	English Composition II
AHS 102	Medical Terminology	3
PSY 201	General Psychology 1	3
BIO 210	Anatomy & Physiology I 1	4
or BIO 215	Anatomy
MAT 120	Probability and Statistics 1	3
Second Semester (Full Time)
PSY 203	Human Growth and Development 1	3
SPC 205	Public Speaking 1,2	3
or SPC 209	Interpersonal Communication
BIO 150	Anatomy Review for Kinesiology 1	1
BIO 211	Anatomy & Physiology II 1	4
or BIO 216	Physiology
Humanities Elective 1		3
Phase II
Third Semester (Full Time)
PTH 102	Introduction to PT Intervention	2
PTH 105	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
PTH 115	Pathology for Phys Therapist Assistants	3
PTH 118	Physical Agents and Modalities	4
Fourth Semester (Full Time)
PTH 101	Physical Therapy Professional Preparation	2
PTH 220	Patient Assessment Techniques	4
PTH 226	Therapeutic Exercises	3
PTH 270	Special Topics in Physical Therapy	3
PTH 234	Clinical Education I	3
Fifth Semester (Part-Time)
PTH 242	Orthopedic Management	4
PTH 246	Neuromuscular Rehabilitation	5
Sixth Semester (Part-Time)
PTH 264	Clinical Education II	5
PTH 274	Clinical Education III	5
Total Required Credit Hours		76

¹

General education courses

²

Although SPC 205 Public Speaking is preferred SPC 209 Interpersonal Communication will be accepted.