LOVE THE WATER? Want to be Recognized?
ATU Clinical Aquaticist™
Are you seeking a greater challenge in your continuing education? Our ATU Clinical Aquaticist℠ Certificate of Advanced Recognition is challenging, clinical and wallet-friendly.
ATU Clinical Aquaticist™ certification is comprised of two tiers:
Tier I — 36 Hours
- 20 hours online (Core Concepts)
- 16 hours live (Hands On Aquatic Therapy for the Ortho/Neuro therapist or similar)
- Clinical handling & reasoning
- Fundamentals
- Safety, biomechanics, water physics
- Clinical progression competencies
Tier II — 84 Hours
84 hours of training, with a minimum of 32-hours of live instruction. ATU live trainings contain 16-hour lab-heavy seminars that will leave your head swollen and your legs wobbly. But when you have finished our evidence-based studies you’ll know that you accomplished something. And so will your boss and co-workers.
- Additional 32 hours live (Track of Choice)
- Deeper clinical reasoning
- Advanced neuromotor labs
- Pediatric neuro & sensory-motor modules
- Cognitive-motor integration
- AquaCognition™ labs
- Specialized orthopedics
- High-acuity handling
- Clinical assessment & progression mastery
The ATU Credential
ATU enables physical medicine & rehab professionals to map out their continuing education pursuits. Physical and occupational therapists and assistants can seek an ATU Certificate of Advanced Recognition in any one of 4 specialty tracks, including a General Studies option.
Each live class contains a minimum of 8 hours of lecture and 8 hours of pool lab (worth 1.6 CEUs or more). These credits can all be applied to either the tier I (36-hours) or tier II (84-hours) ATU Certificate of Advanced Recognition in any of the Tracks listed below. And, with over 25 classes to choose from, it is possible for you to custom design your own series of CE.
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 principles of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. ATU offers therapy professionals a tiered, evidence-based progression of continuing education.
Aquaticist℠ training is open to PTs/PTAs and OTs/OTAs. Other professionals who are legally permitted to perform aquatic therapy may also attend ATU's seminars with the assumption that each professional is required to only apply knowledge within his or her scope of practice. Only PTs, PTAs, OTs and OTAs can seek recognition through the Aquaticist℠ Credential training.
However, other professions may complete the ATU Aquatic Specialist™
Aquaticist℠ training is open to PTs/PTAs and OTs/OTAs. Other professionals who are legally permitted to perform aquatic therapy may also attend ATU's seminars with the assumption that each professional is required to only apply knowledge within his or her scope of practice. Only PTs, PTAs, OTs and OTAs can seek recognition through the Aquaticist℠ Credential training.
However, other professions may complete the ATU Aquatic Specialist™
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Sample ATU Coursework
Students must log a minimum of 5 classes in a single track, plus take a 4-hour Boot Camp module. For more information on what classes must be taken, see below.
Availability
Available to PT/PTA/OT/OTAs. The Aquaticist℠ Certification will be granted to physical and occupational therapy professionals who earn a minimum of 84 hours in aquatic therapy education through ATU. To receive this recognition, therapists must provide verification of their diploma and state license and 250 hours of pool experience as a therapist/assistant prior to obtaining recognition.
Therapists and assistants may seek this advanced recognition though ATU by following one of these specialty Tracks.
- Pediatric
- Musculoskeletal
- Geriatric
- Generalist
IMPORTANT: This Certificate recognizes your dedication to obtaining training in aquatic therapy through continuing education; it does not permit individuals to use aquatic therapy in their practice if they are not already permitted to do so.
Aquaticist℠ Certificate Requirements
All individuals seeking Certificates of Advanced Recognition must be successfully complete:
1). ATU’s aquatic pre-requisite classes (20 hours)
2). ATU’s aquatic specialty core classes (32 hours)
3). any two ATU elective courses (32 hours)
This comes to a total 84 contact hours. There is no time limit in which to complete these classes, although a 5 year period is strongly encouraged. These classes are all offered as a series of continuing education courses.
Note: ATU does not provide recognition of individuals who are not legally permitted to provide aquatic therapy.
Required Classes:
GS701 Boot Camp (4hrs)
GS721 Ortho/Neuro Survey (16hrs)
Specialty Core Classes:
Any Water-Based Interventions course (currently offered in Musculo, Pediatric and Geriatric tracks) (16 hrs)
Any Evidence-Based course (currently offered in Musculo, Pediatric, Geriatric tracks) (16 hrs)
Clinical Electives:
Any 2 ATU classes not listed above (16 hrs each) - May be attended live or as distance learning.
1). ATU’s aquatic pre-requisite classes (20 hours)
2). ATU’s aquatic specialty core classes (32 hours)
3). any two ATU elective courses (32 hours)
This comes to a total 84 contact hours. There is no time limit in which to complete these classes, although a 5 year period is strongly encouraged. These classes are all offered as a series of continuing education courses.
Note: ATU does not provide recognition of individuals who are not legally permitted to provide aquatic therapy.
Required Classes:
GS701 Boot Camp (4hrs)
GS721 Ortho/Neuro Survey (16hrs)
Specialty Core Classes:
Any Water-Based Interventions course (currently offered in Musculo, Pediatric and Geriatric tracks) (16 hrs)
Any Evidence-Based course (currently offered in Musculo, Pediatric, Geriatric tracks) (16 hrs)
Clinical Electives:
Any 2 ATU classes not listed above (16 hrs each) - May be attended live or as distance learning.
Certificate Type
General Studies Certificate
Anyone seeking to obtain the General Studies Aquaticist℠ Certificate must take at least 16 hours of training from at least four of the following five different tracks. This includes at least one core or elective class each from any three of the following tracks:
- Musculoskeletal
- Pediatric
- Geriatric
- Specialty Certificate
Specialty Certificate
Any provider seeking their Aquaticist℠ Certificate training and wishing to focus their studies in a certain specialty (e.g. peds, musculo, geri) must constrain their core and elective classes to just that one track.
NOTE: While not required, ATU recommends students commit to a specialty track as early as possible in their course of training.
Serialization
Students are allowed to seek out recognition of additional hours of CE training through multiple Aquaticist℠ Certificates.
ATU Aquatic Specialist™
Are you seeking a greater challenge in your continuing education? Our ATU Clinical Aquaticist℠ Certificate of Advanced Recognition is challenging, clinical and wallet-friendly -- for those who think outside the box.
ATU Aquatic Specialist™ certification functions parallel to the ATU Clinical Aquaticist, comprised of two tiers:
Tier I — 36 Hours
- 20 hours online (Core Concepts)
- 16 hours live (Hands On Aquatic Therapy for the Ortho/Neuro therapist or similar)
- Clinical handling & reasoning
- Fundamentals
- Safety, biomechanics, water physics
- Clinical progression competencies
Tier II — 84 Hours
84 hours of training, with a minimum of 32-hours of live instruction.
- Additional 16 hours online (Track of Choice)
- Additional 32 hours live (Track of Choice)
- Advanced support strategies
- High-acuity assistance
- Pediatric + neuro specialty support
- Advanced sensory-motor labs
- Assistive aquatic equipment mastery
- Expanded role in aquatic programming
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Disclaimer
The content provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is intended for use by licensed and student rehabilitation professionals. It does not constitute legal, medical, or billing advice, nor does it create a provider–patient or attorney–client relationship. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and current compliance, laws, payer policies, and professional regulations vary by state and may change over time. Users are responsible for verifying all information with applicable federal, state, and payer rules before applying it in clinical or administrative practice. Participation in any ATU course, program, or resource does not guarantee licensure, certification, or reimbursement and should not be interpreted as a substitute for professional judgment, legal consultation, or individualized clinical decision-making. By using this site, you agree that Aquatic Therapy University and its affiliates are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from use of this information.
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