Physical Therapist Assistant Associate in Science
Program Overview
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Miami Dade College prepares students for employment in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, private practices or other qualified health agencies.
Graduates will work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist (PT) in the promotion of optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, correct or alleviate acute or prolonged physical impairments, functional limitations, and disability.
A pioneer in the field, Miami Dade College graduated the nation’s first Physical Therapist Assistants in 1969. Today, we are a leader in the education of PTAs – the continuation of a proud legacy we began in 1967.
Estimated Cost
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This program can also be completed in five semesters.
Program Details
The A.S. degree is designed for students who are looking for immediate entry into a career upon graduation. Most discipline courses directly relate to the identified career area. The remaining courses are comprised of general education courses.
Our students are provided with the latest technologies to support their success. All technical phase courses (PHT) are web enhanced via a learning management system (Blackboard). The majority of the lectures are recorded using lecture capture. This allows students to view and listen to the lecture as many times as needed at home or on the go. We also have hundreds of videos that support learning laboratory skills. Students are also exposed to Service Learning allowing them to learn as they provide essential assistance to the community.
To facilitate the clinical portion of the program, students are assigned to a clinical facility within Miami Dade County. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the campus and to various agencies in the community to which they are assigned for clinical experiences. Students are also responsible to adhere to their clinical instructor’s schedule within their required clinical hours.
Our dedicated faculty has over 25 years of teaching and clinical experience in a variety of settings in physical therapy. They are one of the strengths of our program.
This program provides course work in a number of areas:
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Service Learning
- Wound Care
Career Prospects
Clinical internship is conducted in local health care facilities under the direction and supervision of a qualified physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA). Students who pursue this course of study may find employment in job roles such as:
- Physical Therapist Assistant
