Program Requirements
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program leads to the Associate of Science (AS) degree. Upon completion of the program students are eligible to take a national examination through the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). The program features general education and science requirements as well as physical therapy procedure courses and a clinical education component. During clinical courses students may be required to attend clinical sites outside the Topeka area. All students in this program are required to provide their own transportation to clinicals as well as clinical lab attire. Admitted students will be required to carry health insurance throughout all clinical contact. Professional liability insurance is provided by Washburn University.
Accreditation: The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Admission Requirements: This program has special admission requirements. Interested students should contact the Allied Health Department. Interested students are required to apply for admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. A maximum of twenty-four students are accepted for the fall of each year.
Degree Requirements for the Associate of Science
Major Courses (30 Credit Hours)
AL 170 Physical Therapy Procedures I (3)
AL 171 Musculoskeletal Assessment in Physical Therapy (3)
AL 186 Cardiopulmonary Assessment in Allied Health (2)
AL 261 Therapeutic Modalities in Physical Therapy (3)
AL 264 Physical Therapy Clinical I (3)
AL 265 Applied Neurophysiology (3)
AL 268 Integumentary Assessment in PT (2)
AL 271 Health Policy and Systems in Physical Therapy (2)
AL 272 Current Topics in Physical Therapy (2)
AL 273 Physical Therapy Issues (1)
AL 279 Physical Therapy Clinical II (6)
Correlate Courses (20 Credit Hours)
AL 101 Introduction to Health Care (3)
AL 320 Human Disease (3)
BI 255 Human Physiology & Lab (4)*
BI 275 Human Anatomy & Lab (4)*
PE 321 Kinesiology (3)
PE 326 Physiology of Exercise (3)
* If Anatomy and Physiology are taken at Washburn, Intro to Biology is a prerequisite.
See Table of Contents for University Requirements.*
*MA 110 Exploring Mathematics or MA 116 College Algebra counts as a Natural Science General Education requirement for the PTA program.
See Table of Contents for General Education Requirements.**
Course Offerings
AL 101 Introduction to Health Care (3)
An introduction to health care, including an overview of the various health care professions and professional associations, ethical and legal responsibilities, communication methods, patient assessment techniques, basic medical terminology and other fundamental skills.
AL 170 Physical Therapy Procedures I (3)
This class features the development of early Physical Therapy skills and the understanding of basic procedures. Specific emphasis is placed on range of motion, measurement of range of motion, aseptic techniques, posture, proper bed positioning, massage, bandaging, wheelchairs, architectural barriers, ambulation, documentation, vital signs and safety. All skills are reinforced and practiced in supervised scheduled laboratories and open lab sessions. Prerequisite: Admission into the PTA Program
AL 171 Musculoskeletal Assessment in Physical Therapy (3)
This course is designed to provide the Physical Therapist Assistant student with a foundation for musculoskeletal assessment and intervention implementation. Emphasis is on orthopedic physical therapy assessment, including manual muscle testing, cranial nerve testing, dermatomal and myotomal assessment, special tests, joint mobilization theory, therapeutic exercise, motor control theory, clinical decision making according to the Physical Therapist plan of care, identification of red flags, specific orthopedic protocols and implementation of specific physical therapy programs for various rehab clients. Prerequisites: AL 170 and concurrent enrollment in AL 261.
AL 186 (2) Cardiopulmonary Assessment in Allied Health (2)
This course is for Allied Health students and is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the cardiopulmonary systems. Areas of study will include a review and assessment of the anatomy and physiology of the pulmonary, cardiac, and renal systems. Prerequisites: AL 171 or AL 185 consent.
AL 261 Therapeutic Modalities in Physical Therapy (3)
This course includes instruction on the various modalities of heat, cold, electrical stimulation, ultraviolet and infrared light, traction, hydrotherapy, diathermy and other physical agent modalities and treatments. Prerequisite: AL 170 and concurrent enrollment in AL 171.
AL 264 Physical Therapy Clinical I (3)
This course involves observation of various types of patients in different clinical settings with the practicum of skills learned in AL 170 Procedures I, AL 171 Musculoskeletal Assessment in Physical Therapy, and AL 261 Therapeutic Modalities in Physical Therapy. This course includes an on-going communication between the clinical coordinator, the student, and the academic coordinator. The student is given the opportunity to work with a variety of patients and to begin developing competence as a medical team member. The student also attends clinical labs prior to clinical placement to further develop his/her skills with patients and department procedures. Prerequisite: AL 170, AL 171, and AL 261. Concurrent enrollment in AL 186 & AL 271.
AL 265 Applied Neurophysiology (3)
This course is designed to provide the Physical Therapist Assistant with a foundation in applied neurophysiology concepts. This includes, but is not limited to, specific assessment and treatment techniques for patients in special populations, such as spinal cord injury, pediatrics, amputees, traumatic head injury, cerebrovascular accidents, as well as other neurological or cardiovascular disorders. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of all previous coursework
AL 268 Integumentary Assessment in PT (2)
This course provides an overview of diseases and related impairments of the integumentary system, which are most frequently found in physical therapy assessment and intervention. Introduction to wound care including physiology of tissue healing, wound assessment tools, dressings and interventions commonly used in physical therapy will be included in course content. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of all previous program coursework.
AL 271 Health Policy and Systems in Physical Therapy (2)
This course emphasizes professional aspects of the Physical Therapist Assistant. Included in that realm are topics such as reimbursement guidelines, legislative issues, health care delivery systems and policies, continuing education, code of ethics, current developments in Physical Therapy, professional relationships, research, employment, etc. The course may also feature guest speakers on topics relevant to the profession. The course will broaden the student’s understanding of professional responsibility and motivate them towards personal improvement, commitment and continuing competence in the Physical Therapy profession. Prerequisite: AL 170, AL 171, AL 261.
AL 272 Current Topics in Physical Therapy (2)
This course emphasizes the characteristics, clinical problems, and physical therapy treatment of various rehabilitation patients, including the physical, psychological, sexual, and vocational problems encountered. Specialized areas of Physical Therapy such as Aquatics, Pediatrics, Wound Management, Oncology, Women’s Health, Prosthetics/Orthotics, Sports Physical Therapy and Chronic Pain Management are included in this course. Prerequisite: AL 170, AL 171, AL 261, AL 264, and concurrent enrollment in AL 265.
AL 273 Physical Therapy Issues (1)
In consultation with a faculty member, the student is assigned for intensive study a specific area of concern related to physical therapy. This may include intensive reading and the preparation of patient and/or practitioner educational materials related to the subject. This will give the student an opportunity to develop an area or topic of expertise by exploring various avenues of information and compiling those into one document. During this course the student will also be reviewing for the Program Comprehensive Final to be given during the second to third week of the spring semester. Prerequisite: AL 265, AL 272.
AL 279 Physical Therapy Clinical II (6)
This course is clinical in nature and consists of two six week full-time rotations following the completion of all didactic course work. The student will be involved in practicing all Physical Therapist Assistant skills in health care facilities across the United States. The course will entail either on-site or phone communication between the clinical instructor(s), the student and the academic coordinator (at least once during each rotation). The student is given the opportunity to practice advanced applications with indirect supervision on a variety of patients and to develop competence as a full-time member of the medical team. Prerequisite: AL 270.
General Education Requirements
Transfer Guides - Learn more about how the credits from your institution will transfer to Washburn University. This guide is based off articulation agreements with Kansas institutions. Some courses may not be included on the guide, as institutions continually add courses to their catalog.