COURSE CURRICULUM

The Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) diploma program at Medicine Hat College provides a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience over two years. In the first year, students begin in the fall with foundational courses such as IDST 100 (Introductory Communications for Helping Professionals), a junior-level ENGL course, KNES 261 (Human Anatomy), and a PSYC 200-level course (with PSYC 201 recommended), along with TAPC 110, an introductory course in health care and rehabilitation that includes fieldwork. The winter term continues with KNES 265 (Functional Anatomy), a junior-level SOCI course, and three rehabilitation-focused courses: TAPC 111 (Rehabilitation Process), TAPC 112 (Health Disorders & Conditions in Rehabilitation), and TAPC 113 (Growth and Development for Rehabilitation Service Providers). In the spring, students take OPTA 212, which focuses on principles and techniques of client contact. In the second year, during the fall semester, the curriculum becomes more specialized with OTA- and PTA-specific therapeutic process courses including OCTA 215 and 216, PHTA 215 and 216, and TAPC 210, which integrates professional practice. The final winter semester includes advanced fieldwork courses: OCTA 217, OPTA 217, and PHTA 217, alongside TAPC 218, which prepares students for entering the workforce. This well-rounded curriculum, offered in both onsite and online formats across multiple cohorts, ensures that graduates are fully equipped to provide high-quality support in rehabilitation settings.