Whatcom Community College
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Physical Therapist Assistant Pathways
Notes:
- The PTA degree contains prerequisite courses that must be completed before applying to the core PTA program. A minimum grade of C+ (2.3)is required for each prerequisite course. However, courses marked "optional" in the pathway below do not have to meet the minimum grade requirement.
- The core PTA program spans five consecutive full-time quarters beginning each fall quarter OR nine consecutive part-time quarters beginning each spring quarter, including summer quarter(s).
- If you are starting in classes numbered below 100, just add those classes at the beginning of the pathway.
Physical therapist assistant, associate of applied science (AAS) (111 credits)
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.
Click the pathways below to view the class sequences for the program prerequisites and core classes.
Applicants to the core PTA program are required to have first earned a minimum grade of C+ (2.3) in each of the courses noted below except courses marked "optional."
Planning prerequisite courses can be complicated. Without all the information or a plan, you risk wasting your time and money. After attending an information session, schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to help you plan a sequence of courses for your unique circumstances. If you intend to take prerequisite courses somewhere other than WCC, check with an academic advisor regarding the transferability.
Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the application deadline. Courses marked "optional" are not included in this requirement.
If you have earned a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university or you earned a transfer degree in Washington state, you may be able to use your degree as a whole to satisfy some individual general education prerequisites. Please consult an academic advisor to explore these options.
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Introductory course open to students without previous background in chemistry. Introduction to the nature of atoms and molecules, chemical notation, scientific reasoning and problem solving in the study of the theory and applications of inorganic chemistry. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 99 with minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Formerly BUSAD 100. Mathematical applications in business involving word problems. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Formerly MATH 125. Exploration of mathematical concepts with emphasis on observing closely, developing critical thinking, analyzing and synthesizing techniques, improving problem solving skills, and applying concepts to new situations. Core topics are probability and statistics. Additional topics may be chosen from a variety of math areas useful inour society. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 10
Course note: If you plan to take BIOL& 241 at WCC, you'll need a chemistry course with a grade of C or better to meet one of its prerequisites. CHEM& 121 satisfies that requirements.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
Career exploration: Attend a PTA program information session.
Career exploration: Read through the details of how to apply to the PTA program and how the applications are evaluated.
Career exploration: Start accumulating experience hours.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan. Discuss how any previous college coursework will apply to the PTA prerequisites.
Action item: Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center, and the library.
| Description | Surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis include an overview of current knowledge in major areas of psychology, accessing and assessing information about behavior, skills inscientific reasoning and critical thinking. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Study of human group life emphasizing socialization, social structure,and social interaction patterns. Class work augmented by individual study experience situations. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | This is an introductory laboratory course in biology emphasizing the structural and functional analysis of cellular biology. Includes cell structure and function, energy production and utilization, reproduction, growth and development, genetics, and cell signaling and regulation. Lab work included. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 and placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 10
Course note: If you plan to take BIOL& 241 at WCC, you'll need a cell biology course with a grade of B- or better to meet one of its prerequisites. BIOL& 160 satisfies that requirement.
Career exploration: Conduct a faculty informational interview.
Career exploration: Continue accumulating experience hours.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
| Description | This course provides an introduction to medical word building using root words, suffixes, prefixes, and combining forms. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | In-depth study focusing on the structure and function of the various components of the human body systems from the cellular level up to the organ system level. Abnormal or pathological conditions of these systems also covered. Laboratory exercises focus on the structures as well as the physiology of the systems covered in the lecture portion of the course. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 160 or BIOL& 222 with minimum grade of B-; and Completion of CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Fundamental course in communication theory. Students will apply knowledge in variety of settings including interpersonal, public speaking, and small group communication. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Designed to introduce students to basic interpersonal communication theory. Emphasis on topics such as functions of communication, self-concept, perception, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, self-disclosure, assertiveness, and conflict management strategies. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Introduction to communication theory and public speaking emphasizing organization, audience analysis, oral styles, and use of visual aids. Includes presentation of various types of public speeches and analyses of contemporary speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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| Description | Introduces students to the theory and practice of small group communication. Course covers interpersonal relationships in groups, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, and presentations speaking in a variety of settings. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 7-12
Course note: The PTA program highly recommends taking one of the above communication courses, but it is not required.
Career exploration: Gather recommendation forms.
Career exploration: Once you've completed your prerequisites, complete and submit your PTA application.
| Description | Continuation of the structure and function of the human body systems with laboratory exercises designed to enhance the knowledge acquired in the lecture. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 241 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 0-5
Course note: The PTA program highly recommends taking BIOL& 242, but it is not required.
The PTA core courses are a rigorous and academically demanding course of study, requiring 20 to 30 hours per week outside of class on homework assignments. It is recommended you limit your outside obligations as much as possible.
To progress through the PTA program, you must take all PTA courses in sequence and maintain a final grade of C (2.0) or better in all graded courses and an S in all clinical courses. Note: a C in PTA courses is 74%.
To pass lab practical exams, you must earn at least a B (3.0). Note: a B in PTA courses is 80%.
| Description | Introduction to the practice of physical therapy with emphasis on the PTA as a member of the health care team. Examination of the therapist-patient relationship. Introduction to documentation standards, SOAP note writing and other documentation formats related to physical therapy. Introduction to legal and ethical issues in physical therapy including HIPPA legislation. Required preparation: admission to PTA Program. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Basic patient care skills focused in the acute care setting includingaseptic techniques, vital signs, bandaging, bed mobility and patient transfers and preparation and maintenance of treatment environment. Theory and application of selected physical therapy equipment. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Formerly HLTH 202. Introduction to kinesiology with emphasis on the functional application and analysis of the musculoskeletal system, including clinical assessment tools of goniometry. Required preparation: program admittance; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Basic overview of structure and function of various components of thehuman body systems from cellular level up to the organ system level and of general pathology, the disease process and its effect on rehabilitation. Orientation to common pharmacologic interventions, effects and side effects. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 16
Career exploration: Consider joining a professional student organization.
| Description | This course provides instruction in various types of physical therapy tests and measurements including goniometry, manual muscle testing, sensory testing and posture examination. In addition, this course examines the application of these tests to the patient plan of care. Required preparation: program admittance; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Theory and application of cold and heat modalities. Basic principles and application of selected massage techniques. Introduction to fundamentals and use of electrotherapy and traction modalities. Basic edema management including lymphedema. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Principles of normal and abnormal ambulation, use of assisted devices, postural analysis and selected functional rehabilitation activities. Required preparation: program admittance; PTA 110. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | In this class students will collaborate with the instructor and community service partner(s) to design a service learning project to build communication and professional skills that serve the health and wellness needs of the community. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Continued overview of structure and function of various components ofthe human body systems from cellular level up to the organ system level and of general pathology, the disease process and its effect on rehabilitation. Orientation to common pharmacologic interventions, effects and side effects. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 20
| Description | Formerly HLTH 201. Introduction to clinical neurology and the effectsof neurological dysfunction on the rehabilitation process. Includes basic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, evaluation of normal neurological function, and fundamentals of disease processes and neurological impairment. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Introduction to orthopedics and the effects of orthopedic dysfunctionon the rehabilitation process. Includes fundamentals of orthopedic terminology, survey of surgical repair and fundamentals of disease processes, orthopedic injuries and impairment. Therapeutic exercise techniques and testing procedures with selected kinesiological principles of therapeutic exercise. Emphasis on lower extremity and lumbosacral spine. Required preparation: program admittance required; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Principles of physical therapy treatment programs applied to specific disabilities, emphasis on neurological dysfunctions, normal and abnormal development, and common pediatric neurological dysfunctions. Instruction in selected advanced procedures for treating dysfunctions. Required preparation: program admittance; PTA 226. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Supervised practical experience in the application of physical therapy procedures in the treatment of patients in health care facilities affiliated with the college. Lectures comprised of clinical discussion and presentation of pertinent clinical issues. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance; PTA 111, 113, 274. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 20
| Description | Survey of medical, legal, ethical and psychosocial issues relating tophysical therapy and the delivery of health care in the United States. Covers concepts and strategies regarding ethical decision-making, humanizing health care, confidentiality, information disclosure, informed consent, allocation of health care resources and the health care provider as a citizen. Required preparation: program admittance; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Continued study of orthopedics and the effects of orthopedic dysfunction on the rehabilitation process. Includes fundamentals of orthopedicterminology, survey of surgical repair and fundamentals of disease processes, orthopedic injuries and impairment. Continued study of therapeutic exercise techniques and testing procedures. Focus on upper extremity and cervical/thoracic spine. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Overview of specialized topics in physical therapy including aquatic therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, women's health, wound care and chest physical therapy. Integration of physical therapy techniques and communication skills learned throughout the program. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Beginning practice in selected manual therapy techniques including peripheral joint mobilization, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques and strain/counter-strain techniques. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 10
Action item: Apply to graduate.
| Description | Internships of practical performance and application of physical therapy procedures and techniques under supervision in selected clinical settings. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Internships of practical performance and application of physical therapy procedures and techniques under supervision in a different clinical setting than was selected in 254. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 18
Action item: Prepare for the national exam.
Action item: Prepare for licensure with the Department of Health.
The part-time core PTA program includes online lectures and on-campus labs. Students are required to come to campus approximately one weekend per month.
The PTA program has established a consortium with Pierce College which allows students an option of which college lab space they attend. Students in the online/hybrid program are assigned to a site for attendance at lab sections.
Pierce College / Southern Puget Sound - Students located in the South Puget Sound area who are accepted into the PTA program may be interested in attending monthly labs with a group of students at the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus. WCC and Pierce College advisors and faculty work together to help you, starting with prerequisites and on through the entire PTA program. Students selected for the PTA program are Whatcom students ‘on paper’ but attend the lab sessions at Pierce. Lab space is limited so some students may be asked to attend the monthly lab in Bellingham. We do our best to place students in the closest lab location to where they live or commute from, however this is not guaranteed. If we have an excess of 12 in one location, we will still need to place students equally in both labs. Application ranking and application receipt date will be considered if there is an unequal distribution between lab locations.
The final clinical affiliations may be done in your home area.
The program is a rigorous and academically demanding course of study, requiring 20 to 30 hours per week outside of class on homework assignments. It is recommended you limit your outside obligations as much as possible.
To progress through the PTA program, you must take all PTA courses in sequence and maintain a final grade of C (2.0) or better in all graded courses and an S in all clinical courses. Note: a C in PTA courses is 74%.
To pass lab practical exams, you must earn at least a B (3.0). Note: a B in PTA courses is 80%.
| Description | Introduction to the practice of physical therapy with emphasis on the PTA as a member of the health care team. Examination of the therapist-patient relationship. Introduction to documentation standards, SOAP note writing and other documentation formats related to physical therapy. Introduction to legal and ethical issues in physical therapy including HIPPA legislation. Required preparation: admission to PTA Program. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Formerly HLTH 202. Introduction to kinesiology with emphasis on the functional application and analysis of the musculoskeletal system, including clinical assessment tools of goniometry. Required preparation: program admittance; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 8
Career exploration: Consider joining a professional student organization.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
| Description | This course provides instruction in various types of physical therapy tests and measurements including goniometry, manual muscle testing, sensory testing and posture examination. In addition, this course examines the application of these tests to the patient plan of care. Required preparation: program admittance; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Basic patient care skills focused in the acute care setting includingaseptic techniques, vital signs, bandaging, bed mobility and patient transfers and preparation and maintenance of treatment environment. Theory and application of selected physical therapy equipment. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Basic overview of structure and function of various components of thehuman body systems from cellular level up to the organ system level and of general pathology, the disease process and its effect on rehabilitation. Orientation to common pharmacologic interventions, effects and side effects. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 10
| Description | Theory and application of cold and heat modalities. Basic principles and application of selected massage techniques. Introduction to fundamentals and use of electrotherapy and traction modalities. Basic edema management including lymphedema. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Continued overview of structure and function of various components ofthe human body systems from cellular level up to the organ system level and of general pathology, the disease process and its effect on rehabilitation. Orientation to common pharmacologic interventions, effects and side effects. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 11
| Description | Principles of normal and abnormal ambulation, use of assisted devices, postural analysis and selected functional rehabilitation activities. Required preparation: program admittance; PTA 110. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Formerly HLTH 201. Introduction to clinical neurology and the effectsof neurological dysfunction on the rehabilitation process. Includes basic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, evaluation of normal neurological function, and fundamentals of disease processes and neurological impairment. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 7
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
| Description | In this class students will collaborate with the instructor and community service partner(s) to design a service learning project to build communication and professional skills that serve the health and wellness needs of the community. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Survey of medical, legal, ethical and psychosocial issues relating tophysical therapy and the delivery of health care in the United States. Covers concepts and strategies regarding ethical decision-making, humanizing health care, confidentiality, information disclosure, informed consent, allocation of health care resources and the health care provider as a citizen. Required preparation: program admittance; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Principles of physical therapy treatment programs applied to specific disabilities, emphasis on neurological dysfunctions, normal and abnormal development, and common pediatric neurological dysfunctions. Instruction in selected advanced procedures for treating dysfunctions. Required preparation: program admittance; PTA 226. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 13
| Description | Introduction to orthopedics and the effects of orthopedic dysfunctionon the rehabilitation process. Includes fundamentals of orthopedic terminology, survey of surgical repair and fundamentals of disease processes, orthopedic injuries and impairment. Therapeutic exercise techniques and testing procedures with selected kinesiological principles of therapeutic exercise. Emphasis on lower extremity and lumbosacral spine. Required preparation: program admittance required; (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Supervised practical experience in the application of physical therapy procedures in the treatment of patients in health care facilities affiliated with the college. Lectures comprised of clinical discussion and presentation of pertinent clinical issues. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance; PTA 111, 113, 274. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 10
| Description | Continued study of orthopedics and the effects of orthopedic dysfunction on the rehabilitation process. Includes fundamentals of orthopedicterminology, survey of surgical repair and fundamentals of disease processes, orthopedic injuries and impairment. Continued study of therapeutic exercise techniques and testing procedures. Focus on upper extremity and cervical/thoracic spine. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Overview of specialized topics in physical therapy including aquatic therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, women's health, wound care and chest physical therapy. Integration of physical therapy techniques and communication skills learned throughout the program. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Beginning practice in selected manual therapy techniques including peripheral joint mobilization, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques and strain/counter-strain techniques. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 7
| Description | Internships of practical performance and application of physical therapy procedures and techniques under supervision in selected clinical settings. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 9
Action item: Apply to graduate.
| Description | Internships of practical performance and application of physical therapy procedures and techniques under supervision in a different clinical setting than was selected in 254. S/U grading. Required preparation: program admittance required. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 9
Action item: Prepare for the national exam.
Action item: Prepare for licensure with the Department of Health.