Important Information For Students
Placement Testing
Program Admission
Admission Packet
Advising Sessions
Accreditation Status
Program Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Course Descriptions
Faculty Advisers
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs), under the supervision of licensed physical therapists (PTs), provide skilled direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, subacute care facilities, long-term care facilities, sports medicine clinics and home health care agencies. They use therapeutic exercise, massage and physical agents such as heat, cold, water and electricity in the treatment of patients with physical disease and disability.
Goals of treatment include relieving pain, improving strength and mobility, and helping patients reach their maximum physical potential while learning to live within the limits of their disabilities.
In addition to strong academic skills, strong interpersonal skills are needed to keep up patient morale and counsel patients' families. Additionally, excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary to facilitate communication in the health care environment. Starting salaries for PTAs are approximately $40,000 to $55,000 in Illinois.
Coursework includes both classroom and clinical instruction. Successful completion of the program results in the awarding of an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and permits the graduate to sit for the state licensure examination in the state in which he/she plans to be employed.
One hundred (100) percent of PTA program graduates pass the state licensure examination (Illinois state average is between 80 and 90 percent). One hundred (100) percent of PTA program graduates are employed in physical therapy within six months.
The PTA program is designed for students who plan to enter professional practice as PTAs. PTA clinical courses are not accepted in transfer by most Physical Therapy programs. Students who are seeking admission to a Physical Therapy program should follow the Pre-Physical Therapy curriculum (outlined in a separate program guide).
Donald Schmidt, coordinator
HS 2202B
(630) 942-4076
Health and Sciences Division
HS 1220
(630) 942-8331
Health Sciences Admissions Site
PROGRAM ADMISSION
Interested students can download an admission packet for the Physical Therapist Assistant program, which includes an application for admission to the program. This file is in a portable document format (PDF) that can be viewed and printed with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Please note that for the class of students starting each fall semester, the application deadline is June 1 of the same year; however, the application deadline may be extended as needed until the class is filled. To maximize their chance of acceptance, qualified applicants should submit their applications by June 1.
ACCREDITATION STATUS
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at College of DuPage is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The following files describe in detail the requirements for this program. They are portable document format (PDF) files that can be viewed and printed with free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it here.
Please consult a faculty adviser listed below before beginning your coursework.
Degree
• Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate in Applied Science
When planning your coursework, use the Student Planning Worksheet. Degree information and the worksheet can be found on the following files:
[Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S. Degree, PDF file]
[Student Planning Worksheet, PDF file]
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FACULTY ADVISERS
If you are considering this program as an area of study, consult with a faculty adviser in this field. To send an e-mail, click on the name of the adviser you wish to reach:
Location Phone Donald Schmidt, coordinator HS 2202B (630) 942-4076 Sharon Roschay HS 2202D (630) 942-3337
Click here for a list of current Group Advising Sessions, or call (630) 942-3924.If you are unable to contact an adviser, messages may be left with the Health and Sciences Division office, HS 1220, (630) 942-8331.
Other Occupational Programs of Study
