The physical therapist assistant (PTA) program is at the Associate in Science Degree level, which requires completion of 70-76 semester units of courses. These include prerequisites (14.5 units), PTA courses (33.5 units), Allied Health courses (3 units), and specific general education courses required for the program (9 units). Students must also take additional courses to meet graduation requirements of the college. PTA courses are offered Monday through Thursday in the evenings, and are scheduled sequentially for four semesters and one summer session. Supervised clinical work experiences are integrated throughout the program. Introduction to Clinical Practice (PTA 122) requires one full day per week during the second semester of the program. Clinical Practicurn I and II (PTA 142 & 152) are each 6-week full-time clinical affiliations, at the end of fall and spring semesters of the second year.

Required Program:

Prerequisite Courses
PTA 100, Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant (1.5 units)
Biology 430, Anatomy/Physiology (5 units) or equivalent course within the past 10 years
Biology 431, Anatomy/Physiology (5 units) or equivalent course within the past 10 years
English 300 or ESL 340, College Composition (3 units)
Eligibility for English 310, Prose Analysis and Interpretation, as determined by the reading assessment process, or English 110, Composition Strategies and Vocabulary Development for College, for all applicants who do not have an associate's degree or higher

Physical Therapist Assistant Courses:
PTA 110, Kinesiology for PTA students (3 units)
PTA 111, Kinesiology Lab for PTA students (2 units)
PTA 120, Beginning Procedures - Physical Therapy Modalities and Procedures (3.5 units)
PTA 121, Disorders I - Selected Disorders Commonly Seen in Physical Therapy (3 units)
PTA 122, Introduction to Clinical Practice (3 units)
PTA 130, Intermediate Procedures - Physical Therapy Modalities and Procedures (1 unit)
PTA 140, Therapeutic Exercise - Exercise Programs, Protocols and Procedures (3 units)                                                                                   
PTA 141, Disorders II - Nervous System Disorders (2 units)
PTA 142, Clinical Practicurn I (4 units)
PTA 150, Functional Activities and Gait - Activities of Daily Living and Gait Training Techniques (3 units)
PTA 151, Advanced Procedures - Advanced Modalities and Treatment Procedures (1 unit)
PTA 152, Clinical Practicurn II (4 units)                                                 
PTA 153, Professional Issues (1 unit)

Allied Health Courses:
AH 106, Communication for Allied Health Careers (2 units)
AH 100, Professional Ethics of Health Team Members (1 unit)

General Education Courses Required for PTA Program:
Psychology 370 or FCS 324, Human Development: A Life Span (3 units)
Sociology 300, Introductory Sociology (3 units) or Anth 310, Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
NUTRI 300, Nutrition (3 units) or FCS 340, Nutrition (3 units) or HEED 300, Health Science (3 units)

Graduation Requirements:
Social Sciences - American Institutions (3 units)
Ethnic Multicultural Studies (0-3 units) Note: A selected 3 unit history course may fulfill both the American Institutions and Ethnic Multicultural Studies requirements.
Humanities (3 units)
Languages and Rationality - Communication and Analytical Thinking (3 units)
Living Skills - Physical Education (1 unit)
Competency in Basic Skills - Math and Reading (0-6 units) 

Recommended Preparation:

High school college preparatory courses including algebra, biology, chemistry, physiology, and physics are recommended. Volunteer work or observational experience in a physical therapy clinic is recommended in order to assist students in making a career decision. Medical Language (AH 110) is advised prior to enrollment in the program.

Requirements for Clinical Affiliations:

Assignments to clinical affiliations are made by the program coordinator or designate. These placements are limited to the number of students the clinical facilities can accept. Clinical sites are located throughout the greater Sacramento and northern/central California region. Placement in clinical affiliations is dependent on the student meeting the educational, health, and physical capability requirements of the college, and the institution offering the opportunity. This includes completion of a physical examination, immunizations, and a TB test. Students must demonstrate capability to perform essential job-related functions of a physical therapist assistant. Evidence of completion of a first-aid course, and a current CPR certificate for health personnel (Level C) is required. Background checks and drug screens are also required. Many clinical sites require students to show proof of health insurance.

Cost of the Program:

In addition to standard student expenses and college enrollment fees, the PTA Program expenses include approximately $1200.00 for books and supplies, $250.00 for the physical examination and immunizations, $40.00 for malpractice insurance, and $50.00 for uniforms. Following graduation, students will require approximately $500.00 for licensure application and examination costs. Students must plan for travel costs to and from the clinical facilities, many of which are outside the Sacramento area. Some students may need to arrange for housing during the full-time clinical affiliations.

Accreditation:

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) through December 31, 2020.

Licensure:

In order to be eligible to apply for state licensure as a physical therapist assistant the student must have completed all prerequisite, PTA, Allied Health, general education, and graduation requirements, and be degreed. Following graduation students apply for licensure with the Physical Therapy Board of California. After successful completion of examinations and all requirements of the Physical Therapy Board, graduates may be licensed to work as physical therapist assistants in California. Graduates of the Sacramento City College Physical Therapist Assistant Program are also eligible to apply for licensure in other states.

Information Meetings:

Informational meetings are held several times each semester and provide prospective students with information on program prerequisites, the enrollment process, the schedule of required academic and clinical coursework, the licensing process, and employment outlook for PTAs. A brief video on physical therapy as a career is presented. Opportunity is available for questions as time permits. Students are encouraged to bring copies of their transcripts if there are specific questions about the equivalency of prerequisite courses. Meetings are held on the Sacramento City College campus. No appointment is necessary.

For additional information about the program consult the current Sacramento City College Catalog, or contact:

PTA Program Coordinator Beth Chape, PT, PhD: chapee@scc.losrios.edu, 916 558-2298

 Science and Allied Health Division Office, Mohr Hall, Rm. 18, Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento CA 95822.  916 558-2271.

Admissions and Records: 916 558-2351

Assessment Center: 916 558-2540

Counseling Services: 916 558-2204

Financial Aid Office: 916 558-2501

Non-Discrimination

“The Los Rios Community College District is in compliance with all pertinent Titles and Sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all other appli­cable Federal, State and local laws. It is the policy of the Los Rios Community College District to take action to guarantee that no qualified student or prospective student or any person in his/her educational relationship with the District shall be discriminated against or excluded from any benefits, activities, or programs on the grounds of ethnic group identification, religion, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, or physi­cal or mental disability, nor shall any students be discriminated against for conversing in a language other than English. However, students shall be required to speak English when an instructional setting necessitates the use of English for educational or communi­cation purposes."