Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed health care providers who work with patients and administer physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists. The duties of PTAs include assisting physical therapists in implementing the plan of care and performing interventions using heat, cold, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, water, massage, therapeutic exercise, gait training, balance and coordination, and functional activities. Physical therapist assistants maintain constant communication with physical therapists regarding patient progress and response to treatment and record this information in the patient medical records. PTAs help patients learn or improve their ability to perform functional activities. They may also instruct patients on how to use prosthetics, braces, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs. Currently, Georgia and 47 other states require PTAs to gain licensure prior to obtaining employment. Upon completion of degree requirements, program graduates receive a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree and are eligible to sit for the licensure exam to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.
Students are accepted Spring semester.
Students begin in the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program of study until PTA program pre-requisites are met.
This program is eligible for the Pell Grant and may be eligible for Institutional and State Financial Aid.
Contact a Financial Aid Counselor for eligibility requirements and application materials.
Admissions Requirements
Must be 18 years of age.
High school diploma or GED is required prior to admission.
(Official transcripts or GED scores must be submitted from all colleges and/or high schools attended for credit.)
Request official ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT test scores be sent to the Admissions Office or refer to our Admissions Assessment Procedure found here for more options: Admissions Testing – Lanier Technical College.
Curriculum
General Education Core – Total of 16 Hours
Area I – Language Arts/Communications – Choose 3 Hours
Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences – Choose 3 Hours
Area III – Mathematics – Choose 3 Hours
Area III – Natural Sciences – Choose 4 Hours
Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts – Choose 3 Hours
Non General Education Core - Total of 11 hours
Program-Specific Core – Total of 49 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 76
Graduation requirement includes completion of a total of 76 hours in the above areas.
Graduation Plan
Note: For a list of which courses are part of the elective area, please see the Curriculum tab for this program.
Semester One
Semester Two
Semester Three
Semester Four
Semester Five
Semester Five - A
Semester Five - B
| PHTA 2140 | Clinical Education | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Semester Six
Apply for Graduation
Total Credit Hours: 76
This plan is for informational purposes ONLY. It is not a substitute for meeting with a program advisor each term.
Program Accreditation
Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Lanier Technical College is Accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: www.capteonline.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 678-341-6646 or email pta@laniertech.edu.