Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

SFCC offers a two-year program to prepare physical therapists assistants for immediate employment in physical
therapy facilities.  PTA technical courses must be taken in sequence and are only offered to students accepted into
the PTA program.  The only prerequisite course to the program is Anatomy and Physiology Biol 241 or equivalent. 
However, students are encouraged to complete general education requirements and related coursework prior to entering
the PTA Program, otherwise general education requirements can be completed during the summer quarter between the
first and second year.  If you are transferring from another college please contact our
counselor, Loren Pemberton, by e-mail or (509)
533-3503 to see how your classes transfer or to finalize prerequisites. 

The PTA program incorporates a selective process for admission and we accept applications in early April for the
following September start date.  This admission process uses a point system based on relevant coursework completed at
the time of application and verification of paid or volunteer experience in a medical setting.  The highest scoring
applicants are invited to an interview process to determine the admitted students.  Please be aware that the
completion of all prerequisites does not ensure admission to the program. 

Admission Requirements

Completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Application Booklet which is available online or at the
SFCC counseling center.  Applications are due by the deadline noted in the Program Application Booklet. 

2.0 or better in one quarter anatomy and physiology lab course (Biol 241 or equivalent)

Documentation of either work or volunteer experience in a medical setting (prefer physical therapy)

Admission Recommendations

Since the selection process is based on points (please see the application), it is beneficial to meet the admission
recommendations prior to applying to the program. 

Appropriate placement test scores for English and math (unless you already have received a 2.0 in a college level
English and Math course).  If you have not taken college level math, after receiving your Student Identification
Number (SID), call to schedule your placement exam at the SFCC testing center at (509) 533-3401. 

General Psychology (PSYC& 100)

At least 40 hours of experience in a physical therapy setting

Upon Admission

Satisfactory TOEFL scores for students where English is their second language (contact the program for acceptable
scores).  Please refer to www.ets.org/toefl for more information. 

Each successful PTA applicant may be required to complete a background check, drug testing and submit proof of
immunization.  Clinical facilities may deny access to a student for any of the following:

Lack of current immunizations required by the site

A "discrepancy" on the criminal background check

A positive drug test

While entrance to the PTA Program may not be denied because of such a rating, without access to the clinical
facilities a student may not be able to satisfactorily complete the PTA program and will be so advised. 

SFCC Application Process

In order for your application to be considered for the PTA Program, you must have the following completed and on
file in the Admissions Office by the deadline noted in the application materials. ( Please contact the PTA Program Director at
279-6224 if you have missed the deadline; there may be space available.) 

A Community Colleges of Spokane Application for
Admission Form must be submitted to the Admissions Office if you are not currently enrolled at SFCC.  You must
apply to SFCC even if you are enrolled at SCC.  You must reactivate your application if you were previously
enrolled at SFCC.  You can apply online now. 

Request official transcripts of all college coursework.  Have them sent directly to the Admissions
Office. 

Contact the Assessment Office at 533-3401 for an assessment for placement
into English and Math.  If you have already taken English 101 (composition) and Math 92, 94, or 96
(Elementary Algebra II) with a GPA of 2.0 or better - proven by a college transcript - you do not
need to contact the Assessment Office. 

PTA Application Directions

The supplemental application materials must be submitted to the Office of Business, Professional
Studies and Workforce Education, Building 19, Mailstop 3190, by the deadline noted in the application materials.  These
materials are accepted only once each year for evaluation by the advisory board.  It is your responsibility to make
sure your application is complete and submitted on time.  If all positions are not filled at the advisory meeting,
applicants will continue to be evaluated by an ad hoc committee. 

To begin the application process, set up an appointment with Loren Pemberton, Counseling Center, 533-3503,
Building 17, Room 210.  He will review your materials and give you a copy of the PTA Program Application
Booklet.  We can not emphasize the importance of this appointment to make sure you are fulfilling the needed
prerequisites and preparing for your future as a PTA. 

Refer to the Apply Now tab for the downloadable PTA Program Application Booklet". 

Submit at least two (2) Experience Verification forms (more may be submitted; you may photocopy the blank forms). 

You must supply unofficial copies of all previous college coursework, even if you are or have been
enrolled at SFCC or SCC.  Your application will not be evaluated without all unofficial transcripts attached. 
Official copies of transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office (refer to #2 under SFCC
Application Process above). 

Submit documentation of SFCC assessment scores placing you into ENGL& 101 or a transcript showing completion of a 5
credit English composition class with a GPA of 2.0 or above. 

Submit documentation of SFCC assessment scores placing you into Math 92, 94, or 96, or a transcript showing completion
of Elementary Algebra II with a GPA of 2.0 or above, or completion of an appropriate prerequisite for
placement into Math 92, 94, or 96 with a GPA of 2.0 or above. 

You must show proof of completion of 5 quarter credits of the laboratory course BIOL& 241 within the past 5 years with a GPA
of 2.0 or above or a transcript showing completion of an equivalent Anatomy and Physiology course with a GPA of 2.0 or above. 
Coursework older than 5 years will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Applicants will be rated on their academic preparedness.  Additional courses to take prior to application to
show evidence of academic preparation and to strengthen your application may include: BIOL 242, PSYC& 101, ENGL& 101,
and MATH 92, 94 or 96.  All courses must show a GPA of 2.0 or above.  Coursework older
than 5 years will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Please include a cover letter addressing any pertinent facts you feel the selection committee should be aware of. 

Courses

What is the field of physical therapy like? 

Today's physical therapists (PTs) and their assistants (PTAs) play a major role
in health care.  Physical therapy means the assessment, evaluation, treatment and
prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from
injury, disease, disability, or other health related conditions.  Physical therapist
assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist in the delivery of
physical therapy services.  Their duties include assisting the physical therapist
in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients
in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, using special
equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures, and reporting
to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. 

Physical Therapy work involves patients of all ages - from children to the elderly - and can be
in many different settings: hospitals and medical centers, rehabilitation centers,
pediatric facilities and school systems, private orthopedic clinics, home health
care agencies, convalescent centers and extended care facilities.  In particular,
small communities have a high need for therapy services. 

What program does SFCC offer? 

SFCC's seven-quarter PTA program is designed to prepare graduates for immediate
employment.  Students complete 103 credits and graduate with an Associate in Applied
Science (A.A.S.) degree.  The program includes study in anatomy and physiology, social
science, technical physical therapy courses and practical clinical experience in
area health care facilities affiliated with the college.  The program is accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American
Physical Therapy Association.  The technical courses for the physical therapist assistant
program are not designed to transfer to four-year schools. 

Admission into the program is competitive.  Potential students are rated in two areas:
academic preparedness and previous experience (either paid or volunteer) in a PT
facility or related medical field. 

The SFCC PTA program is rigorous and demanding.  Students may find it difficult to
work while in the program (even part-time).  Embedded in the program are more than 565 hours
of clinical education, and students spend this time working in physical therapy
clinics as part of their coursework. 

What do PTAs do? 

Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist
in the delivery of physical therapy services.  Their duties include assisting the
physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care,
training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments,
using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures,
and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. 

Physical therapy practitioners work with the entire spectrum of the patient population
and are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and medical
centers, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities or school systems, private
physical therapy clinics, home health care agencies, convalescent centers and extended
care facilities. 

Most PTAs are drawn to this field because of their desire to work with people to
help them regain their functional abilities. 

Questions about Physical therapy Jobs

How do I find jobs? 

Where will I get a job? 

Nationally, job placement of graduates of Physical Therapist Assistant programs
is excellent.  The Physical Therapist Assistant profession is rated by the United
States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest growing
professions, and current projections indicate that this trend will continue.  Graduates
of SFCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program can expect to be hired immediately; to date, 100% of graduates who sought
employment found work as Physical Therapist Assistants.  There are many job opportunities for both men
and women, and career opportunities for pursuit of specialty interests in rehabilitation,
orthopedics, geriatrics, and pediatrics. 

Licensure is required in Washington State for the Physical Therapist Assistant
as of July 2007.  Graduates are prepared to sit for the licensure exam. 

How much will I earn? 

Physical Therapist Assistant salaries vary with the type of facility, so there is significant
salary disparity in the field.  Generally, PTA salaries start at about two-thirds
the salary of a Physical Therapist.  In Spokane, starting salaries vary in range from $19 - $25
per hour and include benefits. 

Cole, Marie; Instructor

BS in Physical Therapy, BS in Health and Physical Education, University of Montana; MEd in Adult Education Eastern Washington University. 

Marie Cole has been a physical therapist since 1983.  She received her Master’s in Adult Education in 2001.  Ms. Cole describes herself as a generalist in that she owned her own private practice, been a clinician in almost every hospital in Spokane, practiced in rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedic, and skilled nursing facilities. 

Ms. Cole is certified in Adult Neurodevelopmental Therapy and Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy for treatment of lymphedema.  She was involved in the development of the SFCC PTA program and has been a faculty member in the program since its inception and has taught the majority of the courses offered in the program at one time or another. 

Along with her husband, Marie owns and operates a Certified Organic Orchard on Green Bluff, and enjoys running, dog agility and gardening in her spare time.