The Daily Bulletin

Alert:

testing.

About
learn about our college

Admissions
Investing in yourself pays lifelong dividends

Financial Aid
Helping students pay for college

Academics
Providing university transfer and in-demand career programs

Student Services
Helping students succeed

Community Education
Offering non-credit courses for both business and pleasure

Center for Workforce Development
Meeting the area's workforce needs

Foundation
Enhancing Walters State through private support

Alumni
Providing opportunities for alumni to reconnect

Campuses
Making education convenient

Expo
Providing agribusiness, educational and commercial activities and events

Contact
Get in touch with us

Athletics
Go Senators!

A-Z Index
Search our site alphabetically

Communications and Marketing
We keep you connected

Directory
Search our team

Quality Enhancement Plan
Student learning and teaching effectiveness development

IET
Information and educational technologies

Printing Services
Supplying the institution with quality printed materials

Business Office
Serving students and college departments

Global Connections
Bringing international events to our students

Senators Emergency Text
Get the latest emergency communications

Support Staff Council
Providing resources for our staff

Special Events
Bringing new experiences to our students and community

Catalog & Student Handbook
Requirements and college information

Academic & Events Calendar
Keep tabs on important dates

Faculty + Staff

Ann Lowdermilk
MS, PT
Program Director
Technical Education Building, Room 106C

Nancy Clark
BS, PT, ACCE
Assistant Professor
Technical Education Building, Room 144

Marisa Miller
MA, PT
Assistant Professor
Technical Education Building, Room 146

To contact the PTA faculty, please call
423-585-6981.

Resources

Job Listings

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

American Physical Therapy Association

Tennessee Physical Therapy Association

Occupational Outlook Handbook - Bureau of Labor + Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wages - Bureau of Labor + Statistics

Complaint/ Improvement Suggestion Submission Procedures

Forms
Current Students

Information Packet for Fall 2012 New Admits

Clinical Passport Update Fall 2012

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant prepares students to apply to take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination. A Physical Therapist Assistant can perform a range of physical therapy procedures specific to a patient's diagnosis under the supervision of a physical therapist.

A.A.S in Physical Therapist Assistant Curriculum and Admissions Information

Apply Online

PTA Program Student Handbook 2012-2013

Clinical Observation Form

Employment Experience Form

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Walters State Community College is accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
1111 North Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314;
703-706-3245;
accreditation@apta.org
http://www.capteonline.or

Current Accreditation Status :: Accreditation

Date of Initial Accreditation :: 04/90

Next Visit :: Spring 2015

Five-Year History :: Accreditation

Degree Conferred :: Associate of Applied Science

General Information

The PTA program operates on a 2 + 2 academic model. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to admission to the technical program. The technical portion of the PTA program is four semesters. Students are encouraged to take general education courses prior to starting the technical PTA courses. Students enter fall semester and graduate spring semester of their second year. Further program information and current admission requirements are available on the program's website.

Clinical Experiences

Each student is required to successfully complete 15 weeks of clinical education. Clinical sites are available primarily in east Tennessee but other locations may be arranged. The current availability of clinical sites provides a variety of clinical experiences. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the clinical sites, housing, meals, and other expenses incurred during clinical experiences. Clinical experiences include a full-time one week clinical during second semester, full-time three week clinical during third semester and full-time four and seven week clinicals during fourth semester.

Faculty

There are 3 full-time faculty members and one part-time lab assistant (adjunct). The faculty-to-student ratio is approximately 1:24 in the classroom and 1:12 in lab.

Enrollment

Walters State Community College consists of four campuses with the main campus located in Morristown, Tennessee. Walters State Community College has a total enrollment of approximately 7,000 students among all four campus sites. The PTA program is conducted on the Morristown campus. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program admits a maximum of 25 students per class, one time each year (fall admission). The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is a limited enrollment program and does not accept out-of-state residents if there are Tennessee residents eligible for admission.

Admissions

Students must apply, meet admission requirements, and be accepted by Walters State Community College (WSCC). Students are encouraged to indicate Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant as their desired major, follow college advising policy and complete all required learning support courses. Successfully complete BIOL 2010 and 2011, BIOL 2020 and 2021, and MATH 1530 or 1630 no later than the end of spring semester of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for the fall semester PTA class.

General education requirements are ENGL 1010, PSYC 2130, SPCH 1010 and a HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE. It is highly recommended that general education requirements be completed no later than the end of spring semester of the year the students makes application to the PTA program.

The college requires all degree-seeking students to demonstrate computer competency either by passing an examination or by successfully completing a computer applications course (INFS 1010).

Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of observation in a physical therapy practice or employment in a physical therapy practice equivalent to three months of full-time hours is required. This observation must be under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Observation hours must be completed during the nine month period preceding the April 15 application deadline. Observation and employment evaluation forms are located at the top of this page.

ACT composite score of >19 or HESI A2 score of > 80% in reading, vocabulary and math are the minimum scores for ranking purposes. All test scores must be less than 3 years old. PTA application, observation/employment documentation and results of ACT or HESI A2 must be received by the health programs department no later than April 15 of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for the fall semester class.

Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate:
    79% of admitted students graduated from the program (3 year average, 2010-2012).
  • Ultimate Licensure Pass Rate:
    100% of graduates passed the licensure exam (3 year average, 2010-2012).
  • Employment Rate:
    100% of graduates were employed as PTAs within six months of passing the licensure exam. (3 year average, 2010-2012).

Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid

Tuition is set each June by the Tennessee Board of Regents.Tuition and fees for the current academic year may be viewed on the Cashier’s Office website.

Students admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program will be assesed a non-refundable $25.00 per credit hour Allied Health Course Fee for the duration of the program.

Four types of financial aid are available; federal, state, institutional and other sources. Students need to send FAFSA information to the college for consideration for state and/or federal money (lottery scholarships, Pell grants, etc.). WSCC is an eligible institution for Hope (lottery) scholarships. For specific information please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Student Life

The PTA program is conducted on the Walters State Community College main campus located in Morristown, Tennessee. The Morristown campus is located on 134 acres in the beautiful Smoky Mountain region. There are many recreational areas nearby including boating, swimming, hiking and golf. Walters State is a commuter school with a 10 county service region. The college does not have any on-campus housing; however, off-campus rentals are plentiful.

Walters State is a member of the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association and National Junior College Athletic Association Region VII and is competitive in men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, and golf. There are a variety of student organizations available including the PTA Club. Morristown has a population of approximately 30,000 and is located 50 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Housing and Transportation

The college does not provide housing facilities for students either on or off campus. Students must provide their own reliable transportation to and from clinical sites.

Estimated Expenses

In addition to the considerable intellectual and emotional investment you will be making, you will also incur financial expenses.

The basic college expenses for tuition and fees, vehicle registration for on-campus parking, and application for graduation are outlined in the College Catalog. PTA students also have the expense of traveling to the college and assigned clinical facilities. A few of these facilities may charge a nominal parking fee.

Other expenses required for the technical courses for the Physical Therapist Assistant program will amount to approximately $2,500. Costs include but are not limited to:

  1. Required texts
  2. Recommended books
  3. Professional liability insurance
  4. Seminars/Conferences
  5. Uniforms, name pins, WSCC patch
  6. College fees including graduation fees
  7. APTA dues
  8. Health Insurance (see clinical portion of handbook)
  9. Physical and vaccinations
  10. National PTA Exam
  11. Background Check
  12. Drug Screening
  13. TN Licensure Fees
  14. Practice Exam (PEAT)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below to view the answer.

What courses should I take to be eligible for the PTA program?
You need to complete BIOL 2010/2011, BIOL 2020/2021, and either MATH 1530 or MATH 1630 plus all required developmental courses.
I live out of the area. May I complete my prerequisites and/or general education courses at another school?
Yes. Seek advisement by the faculty of that institution about what courses will substitute and have official transcripts from all colleges attended sent to the WSCC Admissions Office.
How do I get at least 30 hours of observation in a physical therapy clinic?
You must contact physical therapy clinics in the area, let them know of your desire to enter the PTA program, and ask if they allow observation. It is then the student's responsibility to set up the hours and have hours documented for the application process.
How do I have observation hours documented?
Download the "Clinical Observation Form" on the Physical Therapist Assistant web page http://ws.edu/health/physther/clinicalobservationform.pdf. This evaluation form should be completed by your supervisor during your observation hours..The observation form(s) must be in a sealed envelope with a stamp or supervisors signature written across the seal and submitted with the PTA application by April 15.
Do I have to complete the observation hours if I have been employed in a PT clinic as an aide or technician?
If you have had worked the equivalent of 3 full time months of employment in a physical therapy clinic, you do not have to complete additional observation hours. In this case, your documentation should be made on the "Employment Experience Form" which is located on the Physical Therapist Assistant web site at http://ws.edu/health/physther/employmentexperienceform.pdf
When do I apply for the PTA program?
Applications are available in January and must be turned in no later than April 15 of the year you wish to be admitted to the PTA program. Applications may be obtained from the Health Programs Office, TECH 104 or call 423-585-6982.
What is the process for admission after I have turned in my application?
After April 15, all applications will be ranked according to selection criteria. During the first part of May you will receive a phone call if you have qualified for an interview. Interviews are usually held at the end of May. If you have completed all required courses by the end of spring semester and are accepted into the PTA program, you should be notified of acceptance by the end of June.
If I do not get accepted the first time, can I apply again?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times you can apply.
If I have questions about the program or application process, can I talk with the faculty?
Yes. Contact the secretary for Health Programs for an appointment at 423-585-6981. You are encouraged to meet with faculty before you apply.
How much money does the average starting physical therapist assistant make?
In the upper east Tennessee area, a new PTA graduate would make approximately $30,000 to $45,000. Walters State does not guarantee employment after graduation, but assistance is available through the Office of Placement.
How many students are accepted into the PTA program?
Approximately 20-25 students are selected for the PTA program each fall. There is only one class selected for each academic year.

Additional information: Please refer to the Walters State Catalog or www.ws.edu web site for more information on the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, or call Ann Lowdermilk, Program Director at 423-585-6981.