Students must complete all Required Courses with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course introduces the new physical therapist assistant (PTA) student to the physical therapy profession, its professional organizations, and professionalism in the healthcare industry. Special emphasis is placed on becoming a healthcare professional and understanding the behaviors, responsibilities, and practice guidelines set forth by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and the State of Florida. Students will understand the International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability (ICF) model and its relevance to the profession, and develop an understanding of health care disparities, social determinants of health, justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI), and belonging. Additional focus is placed on medical terminology, documentation, patient safety and privacy, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), practice parameters, professionalism, and communication skills. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is a comprehensive examination of the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. The concepts of active and passive insufficiency are introduced and their application to human movement made relevant. Special emphasis is placed upon the observation and analysis of human movement. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via quizzes and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 1120 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed on palpation, goniometric measurements, manual muscle testing, and the analysis of human movement. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course emphasizes the essential patient care skills necessary for a physical therapist assistant. Students will learn the basics of assessment of medical status through vital signs, performance of safe patient mobility, infection control, prevention of pressure injury, body mechanics, wheelchair fitting and mobility, gait training and associated assistive devices, as well as use of modalities such as compression, thermal, and cryotherapy. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 1200 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Students will perform assessment of medical status through vital signs, performance of safe patient mobility (including lifting and transferring), infection control, prevention of pressure injury, wheelchair fitting and mobility, gait training with the appropriate associated assistive devices, as well as use of modalities such as compression, thermal, and cryotherapy. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course emphasizes various physical therapy modalities used to treat pain, edema, weakness, wounds and spasm. Modalities presented include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, soft tissue mobilization, compression wrapping, LASER, traction and hydrotherapy. The course format is mainly lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, quizzes and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 1213 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed on safe use of modality equipment as well as monitoring and documenting patient simulator responses to the treatments conducted. The course format is mainly demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the first of two full-time clinical experiences designed to introduce students to the clinical setting. Students will treat patients under the guidance and supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Learning in this course is primarily evaluated with the Clinical Performance Instrument. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is a comprehensive examination of the role of the cardiopulmonary system on physical therapy practice. Common pathologies, treatments, medications, lab values, imaging, and necessary treatment modifications for the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematologic systems are discussed. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Lab fee required.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 2289 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed on mobilizing patients with various cardiac precautions, auscultating heart and lung sounds, airway clearance, and interpreting and responding to electrocardiogram abnormalities. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is a comprehensive examination of common adult neurological disorders. Emphasis is placed upon the etiology, pathology, clinical presentation, medical testing, management, prognosis, and neurorehabilitation techniques for cerebral vascular accidents, cerebellar disorders, and other balance disorders. Normal pediatric sensorimotor development is reviewed in conjunction with various common diagnosis & pathologies. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 2253 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed upon students completing the appropriate data collection, neurorehabilitative techniques, and patient/caregiver education required for the treatment of disorders discussed in the lecture portion of the course. Students will develop interventions based upon the physical therapist’s plan of care / goals, medical reports, and the patient response. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is a comprehensive examination of common adult neurological disorders. Emphasis is placed upon the etiology, pathology, clinical presentation, medical testing, management, prognosis, and neurorehabilitation techniques for various disorders including but not limited to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, upper and lower motor neuron disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and vestibular disorders. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 2255 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed upon students completing the appropriate data collection, neurorehabilitative techniques, and patient/caregiver education required for the treatment of disorders discussed in the lecture portion of the course. Students will develop interventions based upon the physical therapist’s plan of care/goals, medical reports, and the patient response. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course includes the pathologies, treatment modifications, pertinent medications, lab values, and imaging for multiple body systems including, but not limited to immune, integumentary, and lymphatic. Additionally, non-system conditions including oncology are examined. Lab demonstrations and practice will include wound care treatments such as pulsed lavage, sterile technique, wound dressings, wound cleansing and assessment, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER), and lymphedema management techniques. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, cumulative exams, competency-based skill checks, and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
The course includes the pathologies, treatment modifications, pertinent medications, lab values, and imaging for multiple body systems including, but not limited to endocrine, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, metabolic, pelvic health and pregnancy-related therapy. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course builds upon the foundations of the musculoskeletal system and introduces common treatments in physical therapy practice. The effects and therapeutic benefits of range of motion, soft tissue stretching, joint mobilization, and muscle strengthening are examined. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 2224 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed upon stretching, joint mobilization, and strengthening techniques. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course builds upon concepts introduced in Musculoskeletal I & II and integrates common musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions. Students will understand the etiology, pathology, clinical presentation, prognosis, and general medical management of a variety of musculoskeletal diagnoses. Surgical & conservative management of these diagnoses is emphasized. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via quizzes and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the lab companion to PHT 2228 and provides laboratory practice for those skills requiring hands-on experience. Emphasis is placed upon students completing the appropriate data collection, interventions, and patient/caregiver education required for the treatment of common musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions. Students will develop treatment plans based upon the physical therapist’s plan of care/goals, medical reports, and the patient response. The course format is demonstration and practice of psychomotor skills in the lab environment with the use of patient simulators. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments and competency-based skill checks and oral/practical exams. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is an examination of the pain experience. Special emphasis is placed on the multidimensional nature of pain as well as the biopsychosocial model of health, disability, and pain. Students will learn common tests and measures used to evaluate nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain as well as appropriate interventions to treat pain. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, quizzes, and cumulative examinations. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course is the second of two full-time clinical experiences designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical practice. Students will treat patients under the guidance and supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Learning in this course is primarily evaluated with the Clinical Performance Instrument. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
This course guides the physical therapist assistant student in the transition from student to licensed clinician. It is designed to cover the content of the Florida Jurisprudence exam, National Physical Therapy Exam preparation, billing, applying for licensure, job interview and resume development skills. The course format is lecture and discussion. Learning in this course is evaluated via assignments, projects, and quizzes. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of “C” or higher.
