Mission Statement

The program is designed to prepare a workforce of Physical Therapist Assistants by providing a quality academic education at the technical career level.  The program will promote partnering with local health care settings for external learning experiences to provide close linkages with the community in order to meet the unique needs of a multi-cultural environment by:

            Maintaining a high standard of excellence in education

            Creating an environment in which development of human potential is the highest priority

            Offering open access and opportunity for all qualified students

            Meeting the needs of business and industry for competency in a global marketplace

            Providing service to the community and opportunity for lifelong learning

            Recognizing the cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity of individuals and communities

The mission of the South Texas College Associate of Applied Science Degree Physical Therapist Assistant Program reflects the mission of the College.  The mission of the PTA Program is therefore, to prepare Associate of Applied Science graduates to be providers of care and members of the physical therapy profession.  Graduates are committed to serve a culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse community.  They provide direct intervention to selected clients with health care needs in a variety of settings.  Graduates promote optimal health and function in themselves, their patients, and throughout the community.  The PTA is a vital member of the PT profession who practices within the guidelines of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and applicable state regulations.  The PTA Program facilitates the development of competent professionals with critical thinking skills through academic learning, clinical practicum experiences and various learning situations where problem-solving skills are developed.

 The faculty of the PTA Program is responsible not only to support the mission of the College, but also to insure continuous accreditation of the program and eligibility of the graduates to seek licensure.  Therefore, the program policies for placement, progression, and graduation of PTA students will differ in specific instances from those of the College.