rasmussen.edu | 888-5-RASMUSSEN COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 128 PHT1300 Principles of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy – Upper Quarter 70 hours, 5 credits PHT1300 Lecture (30 hours, 3 credits) PHT1300L Lab (40 hours, 2 credits) This course will teach students about the impact of upper-quarter musculoskeletal disorders on patients seeking physical therapy. Structure and function of the upper-quarter musculoskeletal system will be covered. There will be a focus on selecting and implementing appropriate evidence- based therapeutic exercises as they relate to musculoskeletal physical therapy practice for the upper quarter. Prerequisites: BSC2089C Human Anatomy and Physiology II; PHT1200 Principles of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy-Lower Quarter PHT2000 Principles of Neuromuscular Physical Therapy 50 hours, 4 credits PHT2000 Lecture (30 hours, 3 credits) PHT2000L Lab (20 hours, 1 credit) This course is the study of common neuromuscular disorders including stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease. Students will study the structure and function of the human nervous system and common nervous system pathology and will learn to implement physical therapy treatment programs for this patient population. This course will prepare students to care for patients with neuromuscular disorders. Pre- or corequisite: PHT1300 Principles of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy-Upper Quarter PHT2500 Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical I 220 hours, 8 credits This course is designed to allow for application of fundamental material learned in the classroom in the physical therapy healthcare environment. Additionally, this course will include an emphasis on coursework that focuses on topics such as documentation, data collections, theory, clinical judgment, and utilization of the medical record. Students will experience physical therapist assistant interventions, prioritizing responsibilities in a changing environment, applying ethical and professional behaviors, as well as interaction within the PT/physical therapist assistant team. Upon completion of this course, the student should have a full understanding of the role of the physical therapist assistant and PT/physical therapist assistant team in the clinical environment. Prerequisite: PHT2000 Principles of Neuromuscular Physical Therapy PHT2600 Physical Therapy Practice Across the Lifespan 50 hours, 4 credits PHT2600 Lecture (30 hours, 3 credits) PHT2600L Lab (20 hours, 1 credit) This course is the study of normal human development across the life span. Students will study common pediatric and geriatric conditions requiring physical therapy intervention. Topics will include study of changes in major systems related to aging, common pediatric developmental pathologies and societal implications associated with these populations. This course will prepare students to implement physical therapy programs for children and aging adults in various practice settings. Prerequisite: PHT2500 Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical PHT2650 Physical Therapy Practice for Special Populations 50 hours, 4 credits PHT2650 Lecture (30 hours, 3 credits) PHT2650L Lab (20 hours, 1 credit) This clinical course is the study of physical therapy in special populations including patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and pelvic health conditions. Students will also study physical therapy treatment of wounds and amputations. Topics will include the effects of disease on organ systems and function and on the family and society. This course will prepare students to implement physical therapy programs for these patient populations. Pre- or corequisite: PHT2600 Physical Therapy Practice Across the Lifespan PHT2700 Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical II 370 hours, 13 credits In this clinical course, the student will learn and apply advanced strategies in developing a therapeutic alliance with clients/patients. Students will determine how to utilize health information technology, making decisions about appropriate use within the clinical environment. Students will be prepared for moral reasoning, resolving conflict, and effective decision-making while practicing under the supervision of a physical therapist. Upon completion of this course, the student will be prepared for entry-level practice as a physical therapist assistant. Prerequisite: PHT2650 Physical Therapy Practice for Special Populations Corequisite: PHT2800 Physical Therapist Assistant Capstone PHT2800 Physical Therapist Assistant Capstone 20 hours, 2 credits This course is a synthesis of material from all courses. Students will complete a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in transferable skills. Additionally, students will prepare for the national Physical Therapist Assistant licensure exam. Prerequisite: PHT2650 Physical Therapy Practice for Special Populations Corequisite: PHT2700 Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical II PHY4060 Understanding Ourselves Through Physics 40 hours, 4 credits This course tracks how we have understood ourselves and our world - including time, space, gravity, and our gadgets - as understanding of how physics has evolved. Topics will include Newton’s “discovery” of gravity, Einstein and relativity, energy particles and waves, the atom and how we use it, Schrödinger’s cat, and modern technologies. Prerequisite: None PLA1013 Introduction to Law and the Legal System 40 hours, 4 credits Students will examine the American legal system and related terminology from a paralegal’s perspective. They will explore the sources of law and structure and authority of government, including the court system and court procedures. In addition, students will examine the difference between civil and criminal cases. Students will explore different areas of law where paralegals may work. They will study the skills and knowledge required for success, including legal writing, legal research, interviewing, and case management duties. Students will study ethical and professional responsibilities associated with paralegal duties. Prerequisite: This course should be taken in the student’s first quarter PLA1108 Introduction to Legal Research 30 hours, 3 credits This course introduces the legal research process for paralegals. Students will develop information literacy skills specific to the paralegal field by working with primary sources, like state and federal enacted law and secondary sources. Students will learn the meaning and practice of Shepardizing™. Prerequisite: None PLA1305 Criminal Law and Procedure 40 hours, 4 credits This course introduces students to criminal laws including classification of crimes, theories of punishment, rules and procedures of the pretrial process, stages of the criminal process, defenses, sentencing, and other related offenses. Students will be able to analyze what crimes would be applicable to a specific set of fact scenarios. Prerequisite: None PLA1330 Legal Ethics 30 hours, 3 credits This course develops the ability of paralegals to recognize and handle professional responsibility and ethical issues that arise in the practice of law. In-depth analysis of attorney and paralegal ethical codes, as well as researching answers to ethical dilemmas. Topics include the Unlicensed Practice of Law (UPL), confidentiality, privilege, conflicts of interest, and professional conduct. Students will research and apply ethical rules and guidelines to specific situations, as well as identify issues where paralegals must choose which tasks can be done independently or those which must be done by or under the supervision of an attorney. Prerequisite: None PLA1423 Contracts 40 hours, 4 credits This course introduces students to contract law including legal requirements and methods used to make an agreement enforceable. It covers remedies for breach of oral, written, and electronic contracts. Students will research the law of contracts and related ethical rules and apply them to drafting and correcting contract clauses as they would in a law office. Prerequisite: None PLA2203 Civil Litigation 40 hours, 4 credits This course is the study of civil litigation. It places focus on the paralegal’s role through each stage of a civil case from the first point of contact with a client, through each stage of litigation. Topics covered include initiating a lawsuit including pleadings, the discovery stage of a lawsuit, legal motions, and documents in preparation for trial. This course prepares students to construct pleadings, interview clients, and to prepare discovery, trial, and post-trial documents. Prerequisite: None PLA2273 Torts 40 hours, 4 credits This course introduces students to intentional torts, unintentional torts, negligence, including the standard of care, causation, limitation of duty defenses, strict liability, and damages. Prerequisite: None PLA2330 Legal Writing 40 hours, 4 credits After examining the sources of law and the structure of the federal and state court systems, students will be introduced to case and statutory analysis and to an understanding of the role of the paralegal in performing substantive legal analysis and writing tasks. They will learn how to analyze and synthesize written opinions. Students will use the results of their research from the Legal Research course in connection with at least three (3) significant writing projects, including memoranda of law. High-level communication skills will be developed to effectively communicate in writing to different potential readers, including clients, attorneys in an office, trial court judges, and appellate panel judges. Analysis and preparation of high-level legal content as well as formatting, citation rules, and other items needed for writing in this field will be developed. Students will organize an appellate brief, which requires specific, rule-based formatting and structural content. This content includes items such as tables of cases and other authorities, a table of contents, statement of the case, argument, and conclusion. Prerequisite: None ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM
