Health Professions: Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant Career Studies Certificate

Career Studies Certificate
221-180-01

Purpose: This curriculum is designed to academically prepare students to apply for the restricted admissions AAS Physical Therapist Assistant program and to gain a job ready skill in health professions. Students will either prepare to take the National Registry of EMT certification exam or prepare to work in a medical office. Students should be aware that completion of this program does not guarantee admission into the AAS Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Program Objectives: Graduates who prepare to take the National Registry of EMT certification exam and successfully complete the exam will become a state certified EMT and will be Nationally Registered as an EMT. Employment opportunities include EMT positions at ambulance services, hospitals, government emergency medical services or fire agencies such as public safety departments. Graduates who prepare to work in a medical office will have employment opportunities that include positions in physicians’ offices, HMOs, managed care practices, urgent care centers, and in other health-related agencies.

Admission Requirements: Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to credit-level coursework established by the college. Students should review the program specific admissions requirements for the restricted admission AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant before starting this program.  https://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/health-professions/physical-therapist-assistant/

Placement Requirements: Students who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level English will be required to select appropriate EDE 10  or ENG 111 /EDE 11*  coursework in consultation with an advisor.

Students who do not demonstrate readiness for the college-level math will be required to select appropriate MDE coursework in consultation with an advisor.

Program Notes: 

• Students must maintain a grade of C or better in all courses in order to qualify for admittance into the restricted admission program.
• A “C” or better is not required to complete this CSC.
• Students planning to apply for the AAS restricted admissions health programs should be aware that any grade lower than a “C” will not meet the requirements of those programs. It is advised that any course repeats to improve grades be done while in the Pre-Health CSC before applying to the AAS program.
• In order to successfully complete the AAS programs, all courses require a grade of “C” or better for completion. Upon admission to one of the AAS selective admissions health programs, students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures of their individual program as it may affect their program progression.