Physical Therapist Assistant, AS (PTA)

This program is available in the following Florida campuses:

Fort Lauderdale Campus, Fort Myers Campus, Jacksonville Campus, Lakeland Campus, Melbourne Campus, Miami Campus, Sarasota Campus, West Palm Beach Campus

Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant prepares students for employment as a skilled licensed health care worker under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. A Physical Therapist Assistant assists in the management of conditions such as arthritis, amputation, fractures, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wounds, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, cardiac and pulmonary pathology, sport injuries, work injuries and other types of injuries and/or pathologies.

The accreditation status of the Physical Therapist Assistant program is published on the Accreditation page of the University website. This information is also published in the University Catalog.

PTA Graduate Video

Program Mission

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Keiser University offers an Associate of Science Degree that is designed to prepare students to become effective, knowledgeable, safe and competent entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants who will practice under the supervision and direction of a Physical Therapist.

Program Goals and Student Learning Objectives

The following Goals and Student Learning Outcomes are designed to meet Keiser University’s Physical Therapist Assistant program mission and its objectives. Graduates of the program are prepared to enter the workforce as entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants and by the completion of the program:

Program Goal 1
Communicate and collaborate within the healthcare environment and with members of the community.

SLO I – Students will develop communication strategies for effective patient care.
SLO II – Students will be able to collaborate with members of the healthcare team and the community.

Program Goal 2
Demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes reflective of an entry level Physical Therapist Assistant.

SLO III – Students will be able to interpret and implement the components of the plan of care developed by the physical therapist.
SLO IV – Students will competently perform the skills required of the entry level Physical Therapist Assistant.
SLO V – Students will implement clinical reasoning and judgment to effectively manage patient care.

Program Goal 3
Exhibit professional and ethical behaviors consistent with the scope of practice of a PTA.

SLO VI – Analyze clinical situations and respond in adherence with professional, legal and ethical standards.

SLO VII – Identify and implement safety protocols in all aspects of practice.

Program Goal 4
Explore contemporary practice to develop commitment to lifelong learning.

SLO VIII – Monitor and implement changes in physical therapy practice based on evidence-based practice and research.
SLO IX – Participate and share information from APTA and related professional organizations.

Program Goal 5
PTA Program Faculty will provide a variety of effective didactic and clinical learning experiences.

Program Goal 6
PTA Program Faculty will engage in professional development and service to meet the needs of the program and University

Prerequisites for Major Courses

Background check and drug screening when applicable
Completion of prerequisites BSC2085C, BSC2086C, and BSC2084 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and Human Functional Anatomy with a minimum of a “B” in each course. Completion ofgeneral education courseworkwith a minimum grade of “C” for each course and cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a 4.0scale
Complete a minimum of 10 hours of physical therapy observation or work experience during the last 12 months before entering core. The 10 hours observation must consist of 5 hours in a Physical Therapy Inpatient Facility (Skilled Nursing Facility, Acute Care Hospital, Long-Term Acute Care Facility, or Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital) and 5 hours in a Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic within 1 year of beginning the PTA core.
Meet with PTA Program Director a minimum of one (1) month prior to starting the technical phase of the program.

Program Outline

To receive an Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, students must earn 74.0 credit hours. Program requirements are as follows.

Each course in the PTA major is a prerequisite for the subsequent course and therefore must be passed with a minimum “C” grade in order to proceed successfully through the program.

Lower Division Courses

Physical Therapist Assistant Major Courses (48.0 credit hours)
Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant	5.0 credit hours
Kinesiology	4.0 credit hours
Functional Modalities	4.0 credit hours
Therapeutic Exercise I	4.0 credit hours
Therapeutic Exercise II	2.0 credit hours
Patient Care Procedures	4.0 credit hours
Tests and Measurements	4.0 credit hours
Pathophysiology	5.0 credit hours
Rehabilitation	4.0 credit hours
Clinical Experience I	5.0 credit hours
Clinical Experience II	7.0 credit hours

Behavioral Science (3.0 credit hours)
Introduction to Psychology	3.0 credit hours

Computers (3.0 credit hours)
Introduction to Computers	3.0 credit hours

English (3.0 Credit Hours)
English Composition I	3.0 credit hours
English Composition II	3.0 credit hours

Humanities/Fine Arts (3.0 credit hours)
American Literature	3.0 credit hours
English Literature	3.0 credit hours

Mathematics (3.0 credit hours)
Intermediate Algebra	3.0 credit hours

Natural Science (11.0 credit hours)
Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4.0 credit hours
Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4.0 credit hours
Human Functional Anatomy	3.0 credit hours

Estimated Student Costs

Estimated Student Cost for Physical Therapist Assistant Program Major
Tuition for PTA Program Major	$34,404 total tuition for the PTA major ($11,468 per semester)
University Registration Fee	$145
University Application Fee	$55
Education Fee	$2,940 ($980 per semester)
Required Textbooks	$3,000 ($1000 per semester)
Student Materials and Equipment Cost	$100
Required Resources Cost: – APTA Membership – PEAT Exam	$92 $79-$99
Background Check, Physical, and Pre-Clinical Costs	$750
On-Site Review Course	$300
Examination and Licensure Fees	$851.10
Transcript Fee	$5
Total Estimated Cost	$42,741.10

Other Fees
Withdrawal Fee (if applicable)	($100)
Re-Entry Fee (if applicable)	($150)

Required and Optional Fees for Programs (Published in the University Catalogue)

Background Check $60 or as required by the applicable agency
AHCA Level II Background $88- $93 *(Fee varies by campus)
CPR $15.95-$35.00 *(Fee varies by required services and service provider)
HIPAA $15.95-$35.00 *(Fee varies by required services and service provider)
BBP/OSHA $15.95-$35.00 *(Fee varies by required services and service provider)
Medical Errors Training $15.95-$35.00 *(Fee varies by required services and service provider)
Drug screen $30-$46 *(Fee varies by required services and service provider)
Physical Examination $50-$200 *(Fee varies based on local provider)
Immunizations and Clinical Compliance Tracking $50-$150
APTA membership fee $92
PEAT for PTA $79-$99 (Board Practice Exam)
On-Site Review Course $100-$300 *(Fee varies by campus and by service provider)
FL Physical Therapy Board Application Fee $180
NPTE Licensing Examination Registration and Processing Fees $493
Prometric Testing Center Fee $82.60
FL Jurisprudence Exam Registration and Processing Fees $66
Prometric Testing Center Fee $29.50

*(Fees vary by campus and may be dependent on titer demonstration of immunity; required services at medical facilities, and the service provider)

Program Financial Fact Sheets

Note: To view the PDF file linked above you will need to have Adobe Reader. To download a free copy of this software click here or go to the Adobe website at www.adobe.com.

PTA Outcomes

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) requires public disclosure of the Physical Therapist Assistant program outcomes, including graduation rate, licensure examination pass rate, and employment rate. This information may be viewed by clicking here.

State Licensure Disclosure

Click here for State Licensure Disclosure Information

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