ALLIED HEALTH

Allied Health - City Park

Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Home / Admissions / Curriculum / Opportunities / FAQ's

 

 

FAQ's

The Delgado PTA Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.  Graduates of the program receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy (PT) is a health profession which involves care of individuals who experience temporary or permanent disability due to pain, injury, disease or birth defects.  Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants work in a variety of environments including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public schools, private clinics and even patients’ homes.

 

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT), is a graduate of an accredited PTA Program and is licensed to practice physical therapy in the state.  The duties of a PTA include assisting the PT in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, using special equipment, administering, modalities and other treatment procedures, reporting to the PT on the patient’s response, and documenting patient treatment and response.

 

What is the PTA Program like at Delgado?

The PTA program includes two parts: (1) PREREQUISITE, general education and required related courses, and (2) The PTA COMPONENT which includes all the PTA courses.  The PTA component of the program begins in August of each year and consists of THREE SEMESTERS OF FULL-TIME, DAY-TIME class work and clinical experiences.  The final summer semester of the program is spent in full-time clinical affiliations and may require travel to facilities outside the New Orleans area.

 

PART 1:                                PREREQUISITE COURSES (29 hours)

Course Hours Course Hours
ENGL 101 English Composition I    3           BIOL 254 Human A & P II Lab 1

MATH 118 Algebra for Coll Students  

 3          CHEM 101 Intro to Chemistry 3
BIOL 251 Human A & P    I  3           PHYS 101 Intro to Physics  3
BIOL 253 Human A & P Lab  1           PSYC 127 Gen. Psych. Or    3
BIOL 252 Human A & P II 3

          HESC 111 Med Terminology  

3
          Humanities Elective ** 3
   

*Prerequisites for BIOL 251/253 are BIOL 141/143 or departmental permission.  BIOL PP141/143

Prerequisites for BIOL 251/253 are BIOL 141/143 or departmental permission.

**Refer to Humanities Elective courses listed in the current Delgado Community College Catalog.

  PART 2:                                PTA COMPONENT (44 hours)

Fall      Spring
PTAP 201 Intro to PT   1   PTAP 211 The Health Care System  1
PTAP 202 Health Care Communications 1 PTAP 212 Devl. Considerations 1
PTAP 203 Func. Anat. & Kines. I   4 PTAP 213 Func. Anat. & Kines. II   3
PTAP 204 Patho. Conditions I    2 PTAP 214 Patho. Conditions II   2
PTAP 205 Clinical Science I   2 PTAP 215 Clinical Science III  4
PTAP 206 Clinical Science II   4 PTAP 216 Clinical Science IV  4
PTAP 207 Clinical Practice I  1  PTAP 217 Clinical Practice II   2

SUMMER

PTAP 221 PTA Seminar                                              2

PTAP 227 Clinical Practice

SUMMER

PTAP 221 PTA Seminar                                               1

PTAP 227 Clinical Practice III                                       8

                                     

How do you apply for admission to the PTA Program?

Delgado Community College is an open admissions college; however acceptance into the PTA Program is by selection.  The Admissions Committee for the PTA Program reviews and evaluates each application on an impartial basis.  Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.  Students wishing to apply for admission to the PTA Program must submit a completed PTA application to the Division of Allied Health NO LATER THAN March 30. 

Persons accepted into the PTA Program will be required to meet the technical standards of the PT profession which are available for review in the Allied Health Admissions Office.

When should you apply for admission to the PTA Program?

 Students are eligible for admission to the PTA program who have:

  1. Completed high school or equivalent.

  2. Completed all the prerequisite courses by the Spring semester preceding the August starting date.

  3. Achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all college courses and a grade of “C” or better in BIOL 251, 253, 252 and 254, CHEM 101 and PHYS 101.  Grade point averages are calculated on the basis of all courses taken, including those repeated.

  4. Completed a minimum of 40 clock hours of observation, volunteer or work experience in two different physical therapy settings (a total of 20 or more at each setting) under the direct supervision of two different licensed physical therapists or physical therapist assistants prior to the time of application.  Additional hours are recommended and are included in admissions calculations.

  5. Complete a transcript evaluation by an Allied Health Admissions Advisor.  Call 504-671-6201 for information on meeting with the advisor.  

NOTE:  Science courses over 10 years old may require repetition.  Check with the Allied Health Admissions Advisor.

 

What are the career opportunities for a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Career opportunities for PTAs are excellent.  Licensed PTAs will find employment opportunities in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public schools, and private clinics.  The salary ranges from $34,000-$44,000 per year.

 Will PTA courses transfer to a PT Program?

The technical courses in a PTA program do not transfer for credit to a PT education program.  Some hours of the pre-clinical courses may be accepted as prerequisites to PT programs, but there are many other courses needed as prerequisites to be considered for admission to PT school.  If you think you would rather be a PT than a PTA you should contact the LSU Health Science Center Department of PT (504-568-4288) for information about their program.

How do you find out if courses you have taken at other schools will transfer to Delgado?

To find out if courses you have taken will transfer to Delgado, call 504-671-6201 for information on advising hours of the Allied Health Admissions advisors.