Marshall Community & Technical College
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM

HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?

It takes approximately one (1) year to complete the program after admission, which is offered in a full-time day format. 

WHAT DEGREE IS AWARDED UPON GRADUATION?

Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.   This is a terminal degree, which prepares the graduate to immediately enter the workforce as an entry level Physical Therapist Assistant. 

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

The program admits students into the summer semester each year. 

Applications are available from the program office beginning October 15th with an application deadline of March 1^st.  

IS THERE A MINIMUM GPA REQUIREMENT FOR THE PROGRAM?

Yes.  Students should demonstrate a minimum composite GPA (all previous college credit) of 2.85.   

Note:  Upon application, a combination of the composite, basic science and general education GPA’s will be considered.

DO I NEED TO COMPLETE ANY PREREQUISITE CLASSES BEFORE BEING ADMITTED?

Yes.  The general education courses consist of 32 credit hours that must be completed prior to admission into the PTA Program.  Students should note that they can apply while completing pre-requisite courses during the spring semester.   

CAN I APPLY TO THE PROGRAM AS A NEW COLLEGE STUDENT?

NO.  If you are just beginning your educational career, you should apply for admission directly to the community college and declare PTA as your major. 

WHAT DOES A COMPLETE APPLICATION CONSIST OF?

-A completed application form                                                                         

-Official transcript from each college attended (and/or high school)

-Two recommendation forms (completed within the past six months)       

-Mid Term Grade Verification form (if taking college classes during spring semester)

-A 2 page written essay describing reasons for pursuing this degree       

-PT volunteer verification form (documenting 30 hours of observation)

WHERE SHOULD I COMPLETE MY 30 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE?

The 30 hours of observation may be completed in any Physical Therapy setting, however it is recommended that the majority of the hours be spent in an acute care or rehabilitation hospital setting.  Note that this time should be completed at two separate setting.  You should contact the Physical Therapy Department of the facility where you would like to volunteer and request 15 hours of observation toward your application to PTA school. 

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE TWO RECOMMENDATION FORMS?

Employers or college/high school instructors may complete one of the recommendation forms. 

One should be from a Physical Therapist or a Physical Therapist Assistant.  

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES?

If you have already taken the basic science courses (denoted by a “*” above) they must have been successfully completed within the last 5 (five) years in order to receive credit toward the PTA program requirements, or the applicant must have recent work experience, approved as relevant, by the PTA faculty.     

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED INTO THE PROGRAM?

A total of twenty four (24) students are considered for admission each year.

CAN GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES BE TAKEN AT ANOTHER COLLEGE?

Yes, however it is recommend that the general education courses be taken at MCTC, which are offered on days, evenings and weekends.  Students who choose to take courses elsewhere must submit course descriptions to the Admissions Office, prior to taking a class, for evaluation of its eligibility for transfer credit.  If you have already completed the course, you must submit a course description for evaluation of it’s eligibility for transfer credit.  Courses completed prior to admission into the PTA Program must have been completed with a minimum grade of “C” in order to be considered “satisfactorily” completed.

WHEN ARE COURSES HELD?

Courses are typically scheduled Monday through Friday, usually between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

WHERE ARE THE COURSES HELD?

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program core classes are offered only on the Marshall University - Huntington Campus.  

All PTA technical courses are held in Cabell Hall located at the corner of 2000 and 7^th Avenue.  

WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM?

Students are scheduled for 18 weeks of full-time clinical experience at four (4) different clinical sites as part of the program curriculum.  Each student will complete dual two (2) week, and dual seven (7) week affiliations in a variety of clinical settings to allow for maximal exposure.   These affiliations will follow the course work necessary to provide the student with the appropriate framework knowledge to optimize the clinical education experience.  The clinical assignments are arranged through the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education and are generally scheduled during the week. 

NOTE: Some clinical assignments may be a distance from a student’s home, thus requiring significant travel and or the need for housing accommodations.  The program will offer suggestions on low cost accommodations but students are responsible for all costs associated with the required clinical education component of the program.

CAN STUDENTS WORK WHILE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM?  

Students are encouraged not to work more than twenty (20) hours per week.  During clinical affiliations, student work schedules MAY NOT interfere with the hours required while affiliating at a clinical site.

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL SKILLS RECOMMENDED PRIOR TO ENTERING THE PROGRAM?

Yes, CPR certification is required prior to the first clinical affiliation.  It is strongly recommended that you take a CPR certification course before you begin the program.

UPON PROGRAM ADMISSION, ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM?

IS THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM ACCREDITED?

As of October 29^th, 2003, the MCTC Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. Graduates from an accredited program are eligible to sit for the PTA licensure exam.  For additional information, contact the American Physical Therapy Association at 1-800-999-APTA or www.apta.org.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

The Physical Therapist Assistant Office provides information about the PTA Program, admission requirements, application forms and college catalogs.   They can be reached at 304-696-3353.  All interested parties should also contact the Admissions Office at 304-696-3166, to arrange for an appointment with the admissions counselors.

Nondiscrimination Clause

The MCTC PTA Program prohibits preferential or adverse discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, religion, marital status, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or the presence of a medical condition or disability status in all areas including but not limited to its qualifications for program admission, activities and policies.  The PTA Program is committed to promoting cultural diversity throughout the profession.