FAQ's

• What’s new in the MHCC PTA Program?
• What does the curriculum look like
• Are there any prerequisites?
• What are the academic requirements for getting into the PTA Program?
• Is there help available to assist in preparation for the CPT testing?
• What if I’ve already completed the general studies classes required by the program?
• Where do I get an application packet?
  

• When will applications be available?
• When can I turn in my application?
• Does it matter if I apply sooner than later?
• How many applicants are accepted?
• Is there an alternate list?
• What are my chances of getting in to the program?
• What is the selection committee looking for in a successful candidate?
• If I haven’t had high school or college biology or anatomy & physiology within the last 2-5 years and I want to strengthen my science background, what courses should I take?
• How can I demonstrate that I understand the role of the PT Assistant?

• How is the selection done?
• When will I know if I’m selected?
• If I don’t get in this year, can I try again?
• Is residency a factor?
• Will my previous college level classes transfer?
• What if I need to work while I’m in the program?
• What’s the difference between a Physical Therapist & a Physical Therapist Assistant?
• Will this course prepare me for/transfer to a PT Program?

1. What’s new in the MHCC PTA Program?

• Applications for the entry summer of 2009 will be available beginning July 1, 2008.
• The deadline for application will be 5 PM February 6, 2009
• Residency is no longer a factor in selection.
• In the event that on out-of-state applicant is accepted into the program, out-of-state tuition must be paid until residency has beeen established.

2. What does the curriculum look like?

Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate of Applied Science
Curriculum 2008-2009

3. Are there any prerequisites?

• There are no specific prerequisites; however, you must demonstrate college level reading, writing & math ability, either by taking the College Placement Test (CPT) or by having completed coursework with a “C” of better. Details are listed in under “academic requirements” that follow.
• Completion of some of the general education requirements, specifically WR 121, BI 121 and BI 122 will make you a stronger candidate.

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4. What are the academic requirements for getting into the PTA Program?

• There are two aspects to the academic requirements:
  #1 Demonstration of Minimum Skill Proficiency
  #2 Academic Performance

• Demonstration of reading, writing and math competencies needed for success in college coursework by:
  • Attainment of a bachelor’s degree (or higher)
    Or
  • Through the coursework &/or CPT testing described below

Points are assessed for either high school or college coursework. Official transcripts are required documentation for either option.

1. High School Coursework or Equivalent
   You must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.70 from high school.

If you are a:

• High School Senior you may provide a seventh semester transcript for the application and then if accepted, you will need to provide an verification of graduation to the Admission, Records and Registration Office prior to Summer term enrollment
• GED Graduate a minimum score of 500 is required
• Home Schooled Student you must meet this requirement by either taking the GED exams or using college coursework for application purposes.

Points are assessed for overall GPA and for courses in Biology and Composition.

2. College Coursework
   
   

   Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for college course work evaluated for the PTA Program. In order for your college transcript to qualify you for consideration, you must have completed with a C or better grade:

• Two quarters of lab science
• One quarter of written communication skills (WR115 or equivalent)

  In each category above, applicants should submit the highest level of courses they have completed. Official transcripts are required (unopened) for documenting your work.

  Courses taken pass/no pass or satisfactory/unsatisfactory will not fulfill admission criteria for this program.

  Applicants are allowed two attempts for each course to meet this standard. The two attempts include failures, withdrawals, audits, satisfactory/unsatisfactory, and pass/no pass grades.

  *If your college coursework to date does not include these courses, you will need to qualify based on high school coursework or equivalent. (see above)

5. Is there help available to assist in preparation for the CPT testing?

• Yes, there is help to prepare for the math testing. A weeklong course called “Math 8” is offered several times a year to help people prepare for CPT Math testing. Talk to an MHCC Advisor to find out dates and times and how to register.

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6. What if I’ve already completed the general studies classes required by the program?

• This will lighten your load 3/8 terms; in addition you will not need to start classes on the MHCC campus until Fall Term 2009. Completion of the program will still take until Spring 2010 as all PTA classes must be taken in sequence & are taught only once a year.

7. Where do I get an application packet?

• Applications can be downloaded from the website.
• If printer access is a problem, you can print an application at any public library or at the MHCC library.

8. When will applications be available?

9. When can I turn in my application?

Applications can be turned in from July 1, 2008-February 6, 2009 at 5 pm

Deadline:
Applications must be post-marked by February 6, 2009 at 5 pm

10. Does it matter if I apply sooner than later?

In the event that there is a tie between applicants, the date of application is used as a tiebreaker

11. How many applicants are accepted?

24

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12. Is there an alternate list?

Yes, we accept 16 alternates.

• alternates are offered a position in class if one of the first 24 declines a position
• the alternate list is effective until the first day of classes
• the alternate list not carried over from year to year

13. What are my chances of getting in to the program?

• Over the past 3 years, an average of ~30% of all qualified applicants were offered a position in the class.

14. What is the selection committee looking for in a successful candidate?

The committee is trying to select candidates who stand a reasonably good chance of successfully completing the PTA program. Out of all the selection factors that are considered, the 2 best indicators have been found to be that you:

• do well in life science classes (biology, anatomy & physiology, etc)
• have a good understanding of the field of physical therapy & the role of the PT Assistant.

15. If I haven't had high school or college biology or anatomy & physiology within the last 2-5 years and I want to strengthen my science background, what courses should I take?

• Talk with an MHCC Academic Advisor (503-491-8263) about necessary prerequisites and academic preparation. Consider taking BI 100-Survey of Body Systems, BI 112-Biology for Allied Health (Chemistry 103 is a prerequisite for this class), Biology 101 or Anatomy & Physiology BI 121 & 122.
• Medical Vocabulary (AH 110), while not a science class, is often a helpful class to take before you enroll in Anatomy & Physiology BI 121 & 122.

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16. How can I demonstrate that I understand the role of the PT Assistant?

• Being able to clearly articulate the role of the physical therapist assistant is important. However, beyond just being able to talk about the role of the PTA, spending time in a variety of PT settings (in-patient, out-patient, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, etc.) will demonstrate to the selection committee that your understanding is based on personal experience.
• Some activities that may provide you with exposure to physical therapy include:
  • Job shadowing
  • Conducting informational interviews
  • Volunteering
  • Being a patient or accompanying a family member to treatments, in a variety of settings (in-patient, out-patient, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, etc.)
  • Working as a PT Aide

17. How is the selection done?

• 2 step screening:
  Step 1: Paper screen of academics: top 80 applicants are invited to interviews
  Step 2: Interviews conducted in mid-March

18. When will I know if I’m selected?

19. If I don’t get in this year, can I try again?

• Yes.
• We recommend that you consider what the committee is looking for in a strong candidate & consider taking more coursework in life sciences (biology or anatomy & physiology), gaining more exposure to the field of physical therapy, etc.

• No, it is no longer a factor.

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21. Will my previous college level classes transfer?

22. What if I need to work while I’m in the program?

• Generally it is suggested that you work as little as possible during the PTA Program. Coursework is rigorous, reading assignments are heavy and class time is extensive.
• If you have completed some of the general studies requirements prior to starting the PTA Program, you may be able to work some during your Summer and Fall terms, first year. By Winter Term, students are full-time just with the PTA classes. Working as little as possible, or not at all, is advised. This is also the case in Fall, Winter and Spring terms of the second year.
• The summer between the two years you will be in clinic four 40-hour weeks, so will not be able to work during the day for that part of the summer; General Ed. classes may need to be taken in the evening or online during this term.
• The PTA classes are offered during the day, Mon-Fri.
• Some general education classes are offered at night.

23. What’s the difference between a Physical Therapist & a Physical Therapist Assistant?

24. Will this course prepare me for/transfer to a PT Program?

• No. PTA Programs are not designed to be “stepping stones” to PT school.
• MHCC does provide 2 years of basic science and gen. ed. classes that will transfer toward an undergraduate or PT degree.
• Check the American Physical Therapy Association website for a list of PT schools (www.apta.org). Contact the schools you are interested in to find out the prerequisite requirements.

More questions?

• Email:
  • Jane Cedar, PT, MS at Jane.Cedar@mhcc.edu or
  • Debbie VanDover, PT, MEd. at Debbie.VanDover@mhcc.edu

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