Aquatic Therapy University
Brought to you by Aquatic Resources Network

Aquatic Therapy University (ATU) offers therapy professionals a tiered, evidence-based progression of aquatic therapy studies.

See 2010 course schedule. Download 2010 catalog.

ATU enables physical medicine & rehab professionals to map out a continuum of post-graduate education on a 2-5 year plan. Physical therapists and other providers can specialize in any one of 7 certificate tracks, including a General Studies option.

Each class contains a minimum of 5 hours of lecture and 9 hours of pool lab (worth 1.4 CEUs or more). These credits can all be applied to a final 70-hour ATU Certificate in any of the Tracks listed below.

7 Certificate Tracks:
GS: General Studies (primers, refreshers, surveys, instructing)

MS: Musculoskeletal Studies (back, neck, hip, knee, etc.)

NS: Neurological Studies (CVA, TBI, SCI, MS, etc.)

PS: Pediatric Studies (neonatal, autism, Cerebral Palsy, etc.)

GE: Geriatric Studies (balance, gait, Parkinson’s, etc.)

SS: Sports & Military Studies (training, injury, trauma, etc.)

BS: Business Studies (building, billing, marketing, etc.)

Prerequisites:
ATU courses are taught with the assumption that attendees have at least an entry-level degree or its equivalent in experience. No time is spent on the underlying principals of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Classes are open to physical therapists and PTAs, occupational therapists and OTAs, speech therapists, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, massage therapists, therapeutic recreational specialists, and other professionals.

Sample ATU Coursework:
In order to receive a ATU Certificate, students must log a minimum of 70 contact hours in a single track. Here is a sample of the coursework offered between 2010-2012 in the Musculoskeletal Track at ATU. After students have satisfied the entry level coursework (MS701), any combination of classes may be used to satisfy the 70 hour minimum.

Musculoskeletal Studies:
Core classes:

MS701: Water-Based Intervention for the Musculoskeletal Client: An Aquatic Therapy Primer (*Required) (14 hrs) (2010; 2011)

MS801: Justifiable Aquatic Therapy Strategies for the Low Back, Neck and Chronic Pain Patient: A Lab Intensive (14 hrs) (2010)

MS802: Justifiable Aquatic Therapy Strategies for the Total Hip and Knee Replacement Patient: A Lab Intensive (14 hrs) (2010)

MS803: Justifiable Aquatic Therapy Strategies for the Knee: A Lab Intensive (14 hrs) (2012)

MS804: Justifiable Aquatic Therapy Strategies for the Shoulder: A Lab Intensive (14 hrs) (2011)

MS805: Justifiable Aquatic Therapy Strategies for the Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Client: A Lab Intensive (14 hrs) (2011)

MS901: Evidence Based Aquatic Therapy Protocols (and Beyond) for the Musculoskeletal Client (2012)

Electives:

GS701: Aquatic Therapy Boot Camp (4 hrs) (2010; 2011)

GE801: Aquatic Balance, Proprioception and Fall Prevention Strategies (14 hrs) (2010; 2011)

GS803: Hands-on Aquatic Therapy Techniques for the Orthopedic & Neuro Client (2010; 2011)

DL800: Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy (Distance Learning DVD & book module)

CSxxx: Any custom seminar instruction related to the Musculoskeletal client

Contact Information:
Aquatic Therapy University
3500 Vicksburg Lane #250, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 USA
Phone: 800-680-8624
www.aquatic-university.com

Aquatic Resources Network
PO Box 136, Isanti, Minnesota 55040 USA
Phone: 800-680-8624
www.aquaticnet.com

References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquatic_therapy
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_medicine
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapist
4. http://www.aquaticnet.com/qualifications.htm

See 2010 course schedule. Download 2010 catalog.