The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at the University of Saint Francis welcomes diverse, lifelong learners in a supportive environment promoting academic excellence and development of compassionate health care providers. A Physical Therapist Assistant is an educated and licensed clinician who provides care under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. Physical Therapist Assistants implement components of patient care, obtain data related to the treatment provided, and collaborate with Physical Therapists to modify care as necessary. The program emphasizes academic knowledge while offering hands-on experiences in a variety of clinical settings.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program requires 74 credit hours, leading to an Associates of Applied Science degree. The first year is dedicated to General Education and pre-requisite courses. The professional sequence occurs in the 2nd and 3rd years and is where the student will focus on Physical Therapist Assistant didactic coursework and application. A new cohort of students begins their professional sequence each fall semester. Some students may have the opportunity to transfer credits for the pre-requisite portion of the program depending on previous college experience.
Accreditation
Physical Therapist Assistant
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
American Physical Therapy Association
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
703/706-3213 or 800/999-2782, ext 3213
capteonline.org
Articulation Agreements
For those students wishing to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, the University of Saint Francis has established articulation agreements with the professional physical therapy education programs at Midwestern University and at Trine University. The articulation agreements facilitate enrollment of qualified USF graduates in these programs.
Midwestern University Articulation Agreement
Under the provisions of this agreement, selected students who successfully complete the specified coursework and maintain eligibility requirements at the University of Saint Francis, and who complete the application requirements and take part in the interview day at Midwestern University will be granted acceptance to the Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program in Downers Grove, IL.
Trine University Articulation Agreement
The articulation agreement with the Trine University Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program commits two reserved seats in each annual cohort of students entering the DPT program for qualified students of the University of Saint Francis.
Information on both articulation agreements is available from the USF Office of Admissions or from the Program Director of the Department of Physical Therapist Assistant Studies.
Program Goals
The University of Saint Francis Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to:
- Prepare students for entry-level practice as physical therapist assistants who work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.
- Provide the healthcare community with skilled physical therapy practitioners who can apply theoretical knowledge to clinical practice.
- Provide a learning environment that recognizes individual differences and promotes caring behaviors.
- Promote critical thinking skills to effectively address patient care problems and to adapt to the rapidly changing challenges of healthcare.
- Provide students with a strong educational foundation for life-long personal and professional growth.
- Program core faculty will demonstrate lifelong learning through continuing education related to the physical therapy profession and areas of teaching responsibility.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe and effective physical therapy patient skills under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.
- Integrate related concepts and theories of the physical, social and behavioral sciences and humanities with physical therapy knowledge and practice.
- Utilize critical thinking skills in the delivery of physical therapy services.
- Uphold the standards of ethical conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant in all areas of practice as identified by the American Physical Therapy Association.
- Value caring and respect for the individual needs of each person.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and life-long learning.
Licensure/Certification
Graduates of accredited Physical Therapist Assistant educational programs are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants in order to obtain licensure or certification to practice. All states require licensure or certification of the Physical Therapist Assistant.
Degree Requirements
The program requires 69 credit hours, which includes 45 credit hours of core courses and 24 credit hours of general education courses.
Technical Standards and Clinical Requirements
The University of Saint Francis has identified technical standards critical to the success of students in health sciences programs. These standards are designed not to be exclusionary, but to establish performance expectations that will enable students to provide safe patient practice with or without accommodations. These standards include Observation; Communication; Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities; Motor Skills; Behavioral and Social Attributes; Tests and Evaluations; and Clinical Assessment.
Clinical Requirements include a criminal background check, a driving history, and a drug screen. Evidence of positive drug screens, any DUI, driving violations or penalties, crimes such as battery or assault, theft or embezzlement, and drug or other substance abuse-related crimes may make a student ineligible to participate in clinical experiences and therefore ineligible to be admitted to a health sciences program. Students will be required to complete a technical standards and clinical requirement form before full acceptance to a COHS program is granted. More information will be made available to candidates from the COHS programs.