# Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant (Certificate of Achievement)

College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Kinesiology

Source: https://catalog.collegeofthedesert.edu/programs/kinesiology-recreation/pre-physical-therapist-assistant-coa/

Completion of this certificate demonstrates students have completed the required coursework to apply to a Physical Therapist Assistant program. It demonstrates the interest and intent to pursue a career in the physical therapy setting.  Students can get a job as a Physical Therapy Aide while progressing to either a PTA or PT program.

Completion of this certificate does not guarantee a student will be an eligible applicant for the PTA program, please refer to the PTA program website for GPA requirements.

### Learning Outcomes

#### Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:

1.  Demonstrate the required skills and background knowledge to be successful in a Physical Therapist Assistant program.

### Program Requirements

#### Program Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BI 013 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BI 014 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 5 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PSY 003 | Developmental Psychology |  |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| KINE 008 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| **Select one course from the following:** | | 3-5 |
| ↳ MATH 016 | Finite Mathematics |  |
| ↳ STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics |  |
| ↳ SOC 003 | Fundamentals of Statistics |  |
| **Or Any College Level Math Class** | |  |
| **Select one course from the following:** | | 3-5 |
| ↳ PHIL 006 | Introduction to Philosophy |  |
| ↳ PHIL 013 | Perspectives on Death & Dying |  |
| ↳ PHIL 014 | Introduction to Ethics |  |
| **or Any class from Area C3, Arts, Humanities & Culture** | |  |
| **One course from C6 Ethnic Studies (3 units)** | |  |
| **One course from C1(b) Oral Communication and Critical Thinking (3 units)** | |  |
| **Certificate Total:** | | 31-35 |