What to Expect

Students in physical therapy assistant programs train to help people recover from injury and illness.

"It can be stressful," says Catherine Huml. "That term was used by many students in this program throughout the last year. The workload was very heavy. It seemed like we were always studying for an exam, completing an assignment or preparing for a presentation."

She enjoyed the excellent instructor-student ratio in the program, however. "We weren't just a number. Instead, we were looked at as individuals."

Wanda Muhlbeier, a fellow student of Huml's, says she enjoyed getting practical experience. "In the second semester, the students job shadow in about six different areas," she says. "In the spring semester, students have a three-week practicum and in the fall, a two-month practicum."

Kim Tardiff took the program at Sacramento City College. She says her typical day involved three hours of lecture and labs each night. She enjoyed having her days free for part-time work. It was difficult, she says, to survive with little or no income during the full-time internships.

Huml found the study of functional anatomy to be one of the more difficult aspects of her program. "There was a lot of information to learn in a short period of time. Students definitely have to prepare themselves for this course. They can achieve this by having a strong background in human anatomy," she says.

Survival Tips

Muhlbeier found the workload intense. "Most of my time was spent memorizing anatomy and medical terminology. Students should be prepared to not take on an extra job or other curriculum activities if they are taking the full course load."

She says it helps if the student has an idea ahead of time of where they would like to go on their practicum. She also advises spending as much time as possible on homework.

How to Prepare

"Students should take English and biology for sure!" says Huml. "English will help students with their papers and biology will help with anatomy. It is important to learn about the various systems in the body."

Muhlbeier includes psychology, sociology and math in her list of recommendations.

"A good way to learn about being a physical therapist assistant is to job shadow with a therapist or an assistant," says Muhlbeier. "Most hospitals are accommodating."