| Application Requirements The Physical Therapist Assistant Program
accepts approximately 26 new students each fall semester. In addition
to general college admission requirements, application for acceptance
into the physical therapist assistant program requires the following:
1. Completion of the following PTA prerequisties:
BIOL 2010 & 2011, BIOL 2020 & 2021, MATH 1630 or
1530
*Science classes must have been completed within the last 10 years.
2. General education requirements are:
ENGL 1010, PSYC 2420, HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE.
These courses may be taken after acceptance into the program, but
must be taken prior to the spring semester of graduation. However,
it is highly recommended that all general education
requirements be completed before or during the semester (spring) the
student makes application to the PTA program.
3. The student must make a minimum of a C in both BIOL 2010/2011 and
BIOL 2020/2021. If students take Kinesiology at another
college/university, they must attend PTA 1041 (lab) during first fall
semester in the PTA program. Kinesiology that is being transferred
from another institution cannot be over 5 years old.
4. An overall grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained.
5. Completion of a minimum of 20 hours of observation in a physical
therapy practice or employment in a physical therapy practice
equivalent to 3 months of full-time hours. This observation or
employment must be under the supervision of a physical therapist or
physical therapist assistant.
6. Submission of a completed PTA program application.
Application deadline is April 15 of
the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for
the fall semester.
**Transfer students- Individuals who have attended a college other than Walters State
and desire to transfer credits from those institutions must submit official transcripts to
Walters State and receive confirmation that transferred credit will substitute for
required courses at this institution. Transfer students must meet the same criteria and
standards as others desiring to pursue an associate of science degree
with a physical therapist
assistant concentration at Walters State. Students may not transfer
basic science classes over ten years old, or specific PTA classes over
five years old. Students who are transferring kinesiology from another
institution will be required to complete additional assignments during
the first fall semester of the program (see number 3 above). Students who have failed
in any other health program must disclose this in the PTA program
admissions packet, and acceptance will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the PTA
faculty and Dean of Health Programs.
Selection of Students
Applications for the PTA program must be complete and received by
April 15 of the year for which
the student is applying. Applications are available in
January of the intended acceptance year.
Selection of students for entry into the PTA program is based on the
following criteria:
1. 1st
grades received in required Biology Courses (excludes grades for lab
hours).
2. Number of successfully completed credits beyond those
required for admission to the PTA program (excluding repeated &
developmental courses).
3. Overall GPA in all PTA prerequisites and general education courses.
4. Completion of all general education requirements.
5. Full-time work experience of three months or more in a physical
therapy clinic or 20+ hours of observation in a physical therapy
practice under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical
therapist assistant. Additional points are awarded to applicants
with at least 10 additional hours of observation beyond the requirement
of 20.
6. Recommendations from the supervising physical therapist or physical therapist assistant
under which a student worked or observed.
7. A personal interview of the top ranked applicants (based on the criteria in 1-6) by
practicing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
Decisions on admission are completed by the PTA faculty and Dean of Health Programs by
mid June for students who have completed prerequisites in spring
semester, and one week after summer term has ended for students
completing prerequisites in summer term. Decisions on admissions are final.
|
