Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program curriculum at Midlands Technical College is offered in a sequential format which allows the student to complete the general education courses (Phase I) in a flexible format. During Phase I, the student can complete most of the academic requirements needed for the associate degree, the observation requirements, and all necessary documentation required prior to acceptance to the technical portion (Phase II) of the degree.

1. Standardized admissions test:

    a) HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test)

        Composite - 50%, Math 50%, Algebra 50%, Reading 50 %

    b) SAT Composite 910 minimum, Verbal 430, Math 440

        OR

    c) ACT 20 (minimum English 18, Reading 21, Math 22, Science 24

        OR

    d) Completion of MTC Pre-Health Care certificate with GPA of 2.5 with a "C" or higher in each course.

    AND

2. Writing Sample of 30.

    OR

3. Associate degree or higher.

IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS YOU WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE PRE-HEALTH CARE CERTIFICATE RATHER THAN THE PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE.

II. Admission to the Associate Degree Physical Therapist Assistant-Phase II   (Phase II = Technical/Professional portion of PTA Program)

    1. Completion of Phase I courses with cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, by the end of Fall semester of the year prior to entry into Phase II. Since the new PTA Program curriculum became effective Fall, 2009, we will accept Student Checklists for MTC PTA Program Phase II Admission forms during Spring, 2010, if received by March 2, 2010.

2. Completion of 20 hours of observations, submission of evaluation forms, and student impression paper. (10 hours in an acute care setting, 10 hours in an alternate setting)

3. Submission of Student Checklist for MTC PTA Program Phase II Admission, with required documents by designated date.

4. Successful interview with the Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions Committee.

1. Completion of I.1. and I.2. or I.3. constitutes a date which is the academic qualification for the program, (example: HOBET date of 7/31/09 and writing sample of 30 on 6/21/09 means academic qualification is reached 7/31/09, or date of acceptance to Phase I, if student has prior degree).

2. The date observation forms and impression paper are received in the PTA program office is the date given for completion of the requirement, not the date students actually observed unless the documentation is hand delivered to the program the same day observations are completed.

3. All Phase I courses must be completed to achieve interview eligibility.

Note: To increaase success it is strongly recommended that BIO, 211, ENG 102 and the Humanities elective are finished prior to beginning the PTA professional course work (PTH).

4. The latest date for completion of all required elements is used for placement on the interview eligibility list (IEL).

5. If you decide to pursue another degree here at MTC while waiting to come into Phase II, remember to keep your PTH6 minor when you process your change of major/change of technology. Failure to keep PTA as a minor results in your removal from the IEL.

6. The Student Checklist for MTC PTA Program Phase II Admission form, along with required documents must be submitted to the PTA Program Director each year to be considered for an interview.

1. The IEL date qualifies a student for Phase II and an interview. All Phase I coursework must be satisfactorily completed according to Health Sciences policies and procedures with a cumulative GPA of 2.75. The student should finish Phase I courses by the end of the Fall semester to qualify for an interview.

2. Qualified students will receive an invitation for an interview as part of the admissions process for Phase II of the PTA Program. Students who are interviewed should be prepared for a professional interview. Some of the qualities the Admissions Committee assesses are the student’s suitability for the profession, communication skills, composure and personal presentation.

3. Students who are accepted into Phase II will receive a letter from Admissions stating the scheduled entry date.

4. If students are unable to come into Phase II as scheduled there is one (1) deferral allowed. Should the student be unable to enter Phase II the next year they may be placed at the bottom of the IEL in existence at the time of the 2nd deferral. Being placed at the bottom of this list is not automatic. It is accomplished by written request to the admissions office, from the student.

5. Early entry into Phase II is possible and follows IEL dating. As vacancies become available in a given class, the students at the top of the next class are given an opportunity to enter Phase II early. A student is not required to come in early, yet may be given the opportunity according to changes occurring in the original class assignments.