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The PTA program operates on a 0.5 + 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 four week clinical during the third semester and full-time
four and seven week clinicals during fourth semester.
Faculty
There are 3 full-time faculty members and adjunct faculty as needed. The faculty-to-student
ratio is approximately 1:22 in the classroom and 1:11 in lab.
Health Programs Faculty
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 22 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).
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Students are encouraged to:
- Indicate Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant as their desired major.
- Follow college advising policy.
- 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
General education requirements are ENGL 1010, PSYC 2130, COMM 2025 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.
Observation Requirement
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 ninemonth period preceding the April 15 application deadline. Observation and employment
evaluation forms are located at the top of this page.
Standardized Testing Requirement
Applicants to the PTA program can elect to submit an ACT composite score of 19 or
higher or HESI A2 score of > 80% in reading, vocabulary and math to obtain additional
ranking points. All test scores must be less than 5 years old. 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. Applicants can reach out to an advisor in the health programs division to obtain
more information about the HESI A2 exam or ACT scores and ranking points.
Set Class Size
The PTA admission process is grounded in the belief that excellence in academics along
with an interest in physical therapy provides a solid foundation to build the PTA
curriculum upon. The admission process is clearly outlined on the PTA webpage, in
the college handbook and shared during professional advising sessions with all students
who are interested in a career as a PTA. Current components of the admission and ranking
process evaluate academic preparation, GPA, test scores (ACT/HESI-A2), completion
of general education requirements and clinical observation and/or employment experience.
The Program Director works with Health Programs Division Administrators to fairly
apply the ranking process to all students who apply to the program. There is no deviation
from the ranking form when determining which students are offered a seat in the program.
If a student applied to the program and was not accepted ever felt their application
was not ranked fairly, they should request a meeting with the PTA Program Director
and Dean of Health Programs. Any student who is not accepted into the program is encouraged
to speak with the Program Director about methods to strengthen their future application.
Program admission criteria are greatly focused on academic achievements which has
historically led to the program meeting its goals and outcomes. The admission process
is equitable and just as all applicants are evaluated by the same criteria and the
program upholds the college’s non-discrimination policy. Program faculty work with
all students who are admitted to the program and treat them with respect, fairness,
kindness and cultural humility. PTA faculty support efforts to promote excellence
in education, work to create inclusive, diverse and equitable learning experiences
for all students enrolled in the program while meeting CAPTE outcomes related to NPTE
pass rate, retention rate and employment.
Current college-wide recruitment activities that PTA core faculty participate in,
include sharing information about all healthcare programs offered at WS with the public.
These speaking opportunities occur at local high schools, career expos, virtual information
sessions and both on and off-campus health/career fairs. PTA faculty collaborate with
all WS Health Programs Division faculty to share program information with all prospective
students, the public who has an interest with healthcare careers and enrolled students
who have indicated a WS healthcare program as their major. These activities fall in
line with the WS Mission and Vision related to student success, stewardship and equity.
The PTA program at WS has a set class size of 22 students. This class size is determined
by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The PTA
Program Director follows this guideline when admitting a new cohort of students each
fall semester and does not admit more than 22 qualified students. Class size data
is reported annually in the CAPTE Annual Accreditation Report which is monitored and
tracked by CAPTE. Class size data is also reported and discussed during the annual
ranking process and during the annual program evaluation held by the Dean of Health
Programs. Twenty-two students is an effective class size which is reflected by the
ability of the program to meet student needs related to college resources, offer students
clinical placements with appropriate breadth, depth and variety, maintain stable PTA
employment rates and employ an appropriate number of qualified program faculty. By
following this set class size, the Program Director prevents over enrollment which
would strain program resources, faculty workload, program budgets, clinical placements
and could negatively impact employment rate.
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 Cashiers 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.
COSt & AID
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