Programs - General Description

National Avg. Salary: (Annually)
- Starting:
  $32500
- Experienced:
  $40500
Local Avg. Salary: (Annually)
- Starting:
  $37000
- Experienced:
  $41000
Completion Time
(in months)
- 28
Waiting List:
- Yes
  0 months

Gregg Forlini

Instructor

Current Program/Catalog Information

To view current program information, select a program (or "ALL" for all programs) from the drop-down menu.

Physical Therapist Assistant - Full-time Degree

Health and Sciences Division

General Description | Semester Layout | Course Requirements | Printable Checklist

Mission

To prepare students to become licensed to work as physical therapist assistants. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist to provide treatment to reduce physical disability, movement dysfunction and pain, and to promote optimal health and function.

Description

Florence-Darlington Technical College is collaborating with Greenville Technical College to offer the Physical Therapist Assistant program. All of the courses are taught at FDTC; however, the program is under the direction of GTC. Physical therapy is a health profession which involves direct patient care of individuals who experience temporary or permanent disability due to pain, injury, disease or birth defects. Job opportunities in hospitals and rehabilitation centers are excellent, especially if the graduate is willing to relocate. Working under the supervision of a physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant works to prevent pain and disability, relieve pain, promote healing, and improve function. Beginning students should have excellent verbal and math skills. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

One-Plus-One: The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum is arranged as a One-Plus-One program. Phase I students take their general education requirements. Phase II covers the physical therapy content and may be completed full-time over 4 successive semesters or via an Extended Track option over 6 semesters. Clinical affiliations may be in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for state licensure. The student must pass this exam to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

Program Entrance Requirements

Course Level

Required Courses

High School

Algebra I, Biology

(Recommended: Chemistry, Physics)

College

None

NOTE: A grade of "C" or better is required for each prerequisite course.

Other	Required
Diploma or GED	Yes
Approval/Permission Needed -- Application Process	No
Prior Experience/Observation Attendance at Career Talk is required within first semester of Phase I.	Yes
Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0	Yes
Current CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross	Yes
First Aid Certification	No
Hepatitis B Immunization or Signed Informed Refusal or Titer	Yes
MMR Immunization or Titer	Yes
Chicken Pox Vaccination or Titer	Yes
Two-step PPD / Chest X-Ray	Yes
Medical Examination Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.	Yes
Dental Examination Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete. Dental health must meet departmental standards.	No
Technical Standards Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.	No
Negative Drug Screen	No
Satisfactory Background Check	No
Other Diplomas, Licensures, etc.	No
Recent Photograph Photograph will not be returned.	No

Academic Standards

Standard Criteria	Required
Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better	No
Courses that may not be attempted more than twice	No
Complete or Maintain CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross	No
Curriculum Completion Requirement	No
Drug Calculation Competency Students must demonstrate drug calculation competency each semester in order to progress in curriculum courses.	No
Dismissal Policy	No
Re-entry Policy	No

Graduation Requirements

Complete all required courses specified in the curriculum.
Fulfill all financial obligations to the College.
Achieve a cumulative final GPA of 2.0.
Earn at least 25 percent of the total credit hours of his/her curriculum at FDTC. Exceptions can be made only by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Program Specific Notes

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as well as a grade of C or better is required for admission into Phase II. Students who make a D, F, or W in any course the third time will become ineligible to continue in the PTA program.

Admission into Phase II is via application to Greenville Technical College and the PTA Program. To be eligible a student must (1) submit a complete Intent Packet by March 31 in the year they wish to begin Phase II and (2) complete all Phase I courses by the end of spring semester in the year they wish to begin Phase II. One new Phase II class is begun each Fall Semester.

After acceptance into Phase II, before beginning clinical coursework the student must submit a physical exam with documentation of required immunizations. Besides the requirements stated above, there will be weighted admission requirements for entrance into Phase II which are available through the PTA Advisor. Additional Requirements for Phase II Students: 1. Meet requirements for Phase I 2. Meet all program requirements identified by Physical Therapist Assistant faculty 3. Physical examination by a licensed physician indicating good physical and mental health 4. Submit documentation of CPR certification 5. Submit a criminal background check form.