Program:
Physical Therapist Assistant

Degree Awarded:
Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health & Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant

Application Deadlines:
Nov 15th, Feb 15th, and June 1st
Apply Now

Degree Overview

Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health: 120 hrs.

While working to complete your Associate’s degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant program, you can also earn your Bachelor’s degree in Community Health through the dual degree option. PTAs may work in a variety of settings, and a degree in Community Health can help you better understand and meet the needs of a broader population. The PTA and Community Health program directors will work together as your co-advisors, creating an individualized course sequence plan that integrates courses from both programs. As part of the Community Health curriculum, students can choose from one of the concentrations in Gerontology, Human Services, Women’s Health, Public Health, or Healthcare Business to expand their understanding of a specific area of health care.

Required Courses for Dual Degree - Bachelor's in Community Health and Associate's in PTA

Core Courses
Courses Semester Hours
◊ IC Core (ICC Core) - Intercultural Communication 3
HU Core (HUM Core) - Humanities 3
EA Core (EEA Core) - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy 3
Total Semester Hours 9
General Courses
Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
GEN 101 - Strategies for Success 1
EN 101 (ENG 101) - English Composition I 3
EN 102 (ENG 102) - English Composition II 3
ST 310 (MAT 310) - Statistics 3
PY 101 (PSY 101) - Introduction to Psychology 3
GEN 105 - Medical Terminology 1
SO 220 (SOC 220) - Medical Sociology 2
BI 122 (BIO 122) - Nutrition Science 3
BI 211 (BIO 211) - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
BI 213 (BIO 213) - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
HM 180 (HIM 180) - Essentials of Pharmacology 2
BU 140 (BUS 140) - Healthcare Delivery Systems 2
◊ CHL 244 - Vulnerable Populations 3
CHL 243 - Trauma Informed Care 3
CHL 248 - Introduction to Grant Writing 2
GEN 251 - Wellness for the Healthcare Professional 1
Electives 1

Additional General Courses

Students will choose one of the concentration areas to complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health.

Gerontology Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
HC 220 (GEN 220) - Gerontology 2
CHL 241 - Programs, Services and Policies in Aging 3
CHL 330 - Health and Physical Aspects of Aging 3
CHL 333 - Psychological and Social Aspects of Aging 3
CHL 334 - Managing Care of the Older Adult 3
CHL 335 - Seminar in Gerontology 1
EA 205 (EEA 205) - Death and Dying 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Public Health Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
CHL 250 - Epidemiology 3
CHL 251 - Environmental Risk Factors and Disease 3
◊ CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
CHL 355 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation 3
ST 410 (MAT 410) - Advanced Statistics for Public Healthcare 3
BU 470 (BUS 470) - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Human Services Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
CHL 266 - Social Policy and Human Services 3
EA 210 (EEA 210) - American Poverty and Healthcare 3
CHL 245 - Family Dynamics 1
CHL 252 - Information and Referral 2
CHL 253 - Understanding the Criminal Justice System 2
CHL 249 - Crisis Intervention 1
◊ CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
PY 200 (PSY 200) - Human Development 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Women’s Health Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
CHL 260 - Evolution of Women’s Health 3
CHL 261 - Women’s Health in Contemporary Society 3
CHL 265 - Literary Perspectives of Women’s Health 3
CHL 362 - Global Issues in Women’s Health 3
CHL 364 - Mental Health of Women Throughout the Lifespan 3
CHL 365 - Mammography 1
CHL 366 - Pharmacology in Women's Health 1
CHL 367 - Preventative & Restorative Topics for Women 1
Total Semester Hours 18
Healthcare Business Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
HM 218 (HIM 218) - Data Analysis and Visualization 3
BU 357 (BUS 357) - Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management 4
BU 262 (BUS 262) - Business Communication and Marketing 3
BU 375 (BUS 375) - Concepts of Leadership 2
Total Semester Hours 12
Healthcare Business Concentration - Electives

Students select 2 of the following electives:

Courses Semester Hours
BU 470 (BUS 470) - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
BU 420 (BUS 420) - Long-Term Care Management 3
HM 360 (HIM 360) - Compliance and Legal Applications 3
BU 318 (BUS 318) - Human Resources and Organizational Behavior 3
BU 425 (BUS 425) - Project Management 3
BU 335 (BUS 335) - Managing Healthcare Departments 3
HM 333 (HIM 333) - Classification Systems and Reimbursement Methodologies 3
BU 411 (BUS 411) - Operations and Quality Management 3
Major Courses (Physical Therapist Assistant)
Courses Semester Hours
PTA 105 - Functional Anatomy for the Physical Therapist Assistant 3
PTA 106 - Introduction to Physical Therapy 2
PTA 107 - Documentation for the Physical Therapist Assistant 2
PTA 110 - Basic Skills in Physical Therapy 3
PTA 115 - Therapeutic Exercise I 3
PTA 122 - Therapeutic Modalities 3
PTA 111 - Clinical Readiness 2
PTA 205 - Pathophysiology 3
PTA 222 - Therapeutic Interventions 3
◊ PTA 213 - Professional Leadership Seminar 1
PTA 215 - Therapeutic Exercise II 3
PTA 211 - Clinical Practicum I 3
PTA 230 - Advanced Procedures 3
PTA 235 - Therapeutic Exercise III 3
PTA 241 - Clinical Practicum II 6
PTA 246 - Clinical Practicum III 6
Total Semester Hours 49
Major Courses (Community Health)
Courses Semester Hours
◊ CHL 400 - Community Health Fieldwork (concentration related) 2
CHL 401 - Community Health Capstone (concentration related) 2
Total Semester Hours 4

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.

Scholarships

Learn which scholarships you are eligible for as an in-coming or current student.
Learn More

Financial Aid

Explore the various loan and grant opportunities available to help fund your education.
Learn More

Undergraduate Tuition

Cost per Credit Hour
$651


Cost per Semester
$7,962 - Full-time (12 hrs)
$3,981 - Part-time (6 hrs)

Tuition
Undergraduate Tuition$651 / credit-hour
Fees - Included in cost per semester
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150/ each
Degree Specific Fees - Not included in cost per semester
Interprofessional education – IPE Course Fee IPE 301 $124/ student
Labs (8104, SC1540) $30/ class
PTA Lab Videos (PTA 105, PTA 105.0E, PTA 215) $169/ student
PTA: APTA student membership (8104, SC7135) $105/ each
Polo (8104, SC7040) $35/ student
PTA: Board Prep Fee (PTA 213) $260/ each
Lab Fee - General Education $40/ class
National PTA Board Exam $485/ student
PTA Credentialing Fees $300/ student

Career Overview

Median Salary

Community Health: $47,000
Physical Therapist Assistant: $59,770 
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020)

Job Outlook

Community Health: 21% projected employment growth from 2018-2028
Physical Therapist Assistant: 35% projected employment growth from 2020-2030
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021)

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.