Physical Therapist Assistant Program

 

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at ASU is an associate-level program.  The degree awarded is the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  The program is designed so that one year (34-36 hrs) of general education courses and prerequisites are completed prior to being accepted into the PTA program.  Once accepted into the program, students complete one year of professional courses.

 

What are the prerequisites?

ENG 1003 Composition I

ENG 1013 Composition II

MATH 1023 College Algebra

HP 2013 Medical Terminology

PT 2003 Introduction to Physical Therapy

BIO 2203/2201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab

 

One of the following:

BIO 2223/2221 Human Anatomy and Physiology II with lab

HP 3003 Gross Anatomy

 

One of the following:

POSC 2103 American Government

HIST 2763 US History I

HIST 2773 US History II

 

One of the following:

PHYS 2133 Survey of Physics for Health Professions

PHYS 2054 General Physics I

 

One of the following:

PT 1013  Making Connections

CS 1013  Introduction to Computers

CIT 1503 Microcomputer Applications

 

One of the following:

PSY 2013 Introduction to Psychology

ANTH 2233 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

SOC 2213 Introduction to Sociology

 

What are the Professional Courses?  Professional courses begin in the summer session.  Students attend both summer sessions, fall and spring.  Students graduate in May of the spring semester.

Summer

PTA 2116 Patient Care Fundamentals

PTA 2126 Movement Science

Fall

PTA 2213 Musculoskeletal PT

PTA 2223 Physical Agents and Massage

PTA 2233 Neuromuscular PT

PTA 2243 Cardiopulmonary PT

PTA 2252 Clinical Education I

Spring

PTA 2303 Neuromuscular PT II

PTA 2323 Seminar

PTA 2333 Clinical Education II

PTA 2343 Clinical Education III

Total Hours for Degree 73-75 hrs

 

When do I apply?  You must complete all prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester in which you apply.  If you cannot complete all the prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester, you must wait until the following spring to apply.  Applications must be postmarked by April 1st.

 

What is the application process?  Download the application and follow the directions on the application.  The application should be turned in by April 1, 2010.  The application can be turned in at the main office on the first floor of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, to Becky Keith in Office 603, or mailed to ASU Physical Therapist Assistant Program, P.O. Box 910, State University, AR 72467. 

After applications are received, overall GPA and GPA in prerequisite courses are calculated and each life experience profile is read and scored.  This information is used to rank applicants.  The top 32 applicants are invited to an interview.  Following the interview, scores from the interview are added to previous scores and applicants are again ranked.  The tops 24 applicants are invited to join to the PTA program.

Percentages used are as follows:

Cumulative GPA 10%

Prerequisite GPA 60 %

Life Experiences Profile 15%

Interview 15%

 

What is the cost of the program?  Estimated Costs for are for Professional Coursework not including housing, transportation and living expenses for clinical rotations.  The information below is only an estimate of the overall program cost and is subject to change.

Tuition and Fees - current information can be found at www.astate.edu, click on the A-Z index and then Tuition and Fees .  The total number of hours per semester are summer - 12 hrs, fall - 14 hrs, and spring - 12 hrs.

$40 - graduation fee

$675 - books

$125 - required lab equipment

$180 - name tags and uniforms

$35 - physical exam (ASU Student Health Center)

$184.50 - Hep B series of immunizations

$10-15 - TB skin test

$15 - TB mask fitting

$30 - CPR Certification

$30 - Professional Liability Insurance

$670 - Health Insurance; policies vary in price.  Currently, through ASU an individual policy is $670 per year.

$475 - Licensure Examination Fees (following graduation)

Clinical Education:  You will be required to participate in three separate clinical internships during the program.  You are responsible for living expenses and transportation.  The total number of weeks that you will be away from the campus is 16. 

 

How do I find an advisor?  Contact Becky Keith at beckeith@astate.edu or (870) 972-2896 or Stacey Sloas at ssloas@astate.edu or (870) 972-2798.  Prior to contacting an advisor, please download and complete the prerequisite checklist as well as your academic transcript.

 

Can I transfer from another college or university?  Yes, many of our students come from other college or universities.  The first step is to gain admission to ASU.  You can contact ASU Admissions at (870) 972-3024 or admissions@astate.edu.  The next step is to download the prerequisite form, obtain a copy of your transcript, and contact an advisor.  Typically, most prerequisite courses are offered at any community college or university.  We find tha PT 2003 Introduction to Physical Therapy and HP 2013 Medical Terminology are the most likely to not be offered elsewhere.  Both of these courses are offered on-line in the spring, summer and fall terms.

 

Will my courses transfer from another college or university?  You can look up courses from many local community colleges at the Office of the Registrar at www.astate.edu.  You can also contact the registrar to find out if courses will transfer at (870) 972-2031 or registrar@astate.edu.

 

What is clinical education?  Your training includes three clinical rotations to provide you with hands-on experience with patients.  You will complete a five week clinical rotation the last five weeks of the fall semester.  You will complete a five week and six week rotation in the spring semester.  Currently sites are chosen through a lottery system.