Admissions Requirements

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the Associate of Applied degree program in Physical Therapist Assistant. Applicants interested in this program are required to visit the college and meet individually with an admissions representative and a program advisor to ascertain if their goals can be met by the college. Prospective students declaring PTA as their major must be generally admitted to South College and meet the following requirements in order to be considered for full admission to the program:

1. Meet minimum score requirements on the college entrance examination, OR present documentation of a score of 19 or higher on the ACT Assessment examination, OR present documentation of a 900 combined score or higher on the SAT I examination, OR meet the South College requirements for admission as a transfer student.
2. Complete and submit the South College AAS PTA Program Application.
3. Submit three (3) letters of reference utilizing the program’s reference form. These reference forms will be scored and must average seventy-five percent (75%) or better.
4. Complete all required general education core courses and earn the minimum grade of “C” or higher.
5. Complete BIO 1110 Anatomy & Physiology I, BIO 1120Anatomy & Physiology I Lab, BIO 1130 Anatomy & Physiology II, and BIO 1140Anatomy & Physiology II Lab with at least a 2.50 grade point average. The necessary grades must be achieved on the first or second attempt unless approved by department chair. The final attempt is the grade used in the calculation.*
6. Submit proof of at least twenty (20) hours of observation and/or work hours in a physical therapy setting using the form provided by the PTA program. (Observation hours are not required for Fall 2020 admissions due to COVID-19) 
7. A criminal background check must be completed and proof of immunizations must be provided during PT 2200. Proof of CPR training and a physician’s certification that student is in good general health and able to. participate in clinical internships is required during PT2200.
8. Commit to full-time attendance and participation in a rigorous educational program, significant out of class preparation time, and internship assignments off campus.

*Each of these areas is used to rank applicants for full program admission. If minimum standards are met by more applying students than clinical seats, these rankings determine program admission.

1. Students applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant program MUST accept the following:
2. A felony conviction may affect ability to be placed in a clinical facility for education or to attain state licensure.
3. Failure to produce proof of the following and the results may severely limit fieldwork placement (possibly increasing the overall length of the program) and future employment options:
   • Negative TB test
   • Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver
   • Health release to participate in clinical internships. A physician’s certification that a student is in good general health.
   • Other immunizations, such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
   • A current CPR certification
   • Criminal background check
   • A negative drug screen

Prospective students transferring credit into the AAS PTA program should consult with the Dean of Academic and Student Services regarding transferability of credit. There is no guarantee that transfer credit will be given for major curriculum courses.

The applicant must demonstrate the functional capacities described in the following chart. Any students who believe that they are unable to meet these requirements without special accommodation should contact the PTA Department Chair immediately. A determination regarding whether or not to grant a special accommodation will be made based on the particular circumstances of the case in question. Under no circumstances will the college make accommodations that will endanger patients or other students.

 

FUNCTION	REQUIREMENT	EXAMPLES OF TASKS FOR PTA
Vision	Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in classroom and clinic settings.	Observing patient behavior and appearance; directing patient’s and own movement inside and outside classroom and clinic; overseeing set-up and implementation of treatment activities
Hearing	Adequate to allow effective communication with patients and others in person and by remote means, and to ensure safety of self and patients.	Face-to-face communication with patients and families who may have language, hearing, vision or cognitive problems, or be illiterate; telephone consultations with other professionals or families; attending to pages, overhead announcements, etc.
Tactile Sensitivity	Adequate to allow effective evaluation and therapeutic intervention related to movement disabilities, and to ensure safety of self and others in the use of thermal, vibratory, and other sensory stimulation techniques	Palpation of muscle activity in muscle testing; recognition of “hot” areas related to inflammation; determining safe water temperature
Gross motor strength and coordination	Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in class and lab sessions and clinic activities	Safe transfers of students and patients; safe and efficient mobility within the school and clinic setting; safe and efficient mobility within the community; safe and efficient transportation of treatment materials
Fine motor strength and coordination	Adequate to allow use of measurement and evaluation devices common in physical therapy, and to ensure safe manipulation of patient’s bodies and of treatment materials	Measuring joint range of motion using a goniometer; setting controls on treatment equipment; performing manual facilitation and mobilization techniques
Critical thinking ability	Adequate to allow mastery of basic course content and to demonstrate sound judgment in simulated and real life therapy situations	Identifying cause and effect relationships in patient behavior in order to modify treatment approach; determining which behaviors could lead to unsafe situations; determining when to request additional support
Interpersonal Skills	Adequate to allow establishment of an effective working relationship with patients, families and other professionals	Interacting with difficult family members; defining physical therapy to physicians or other referral sources; working with a difficult co-worker; motivating a depressed patient
Communication Skills	Adequate to allow completion of course work and effective verbal and written communication with patients families, other professional, and others	Class discussions and presentations; research papers; weekly progress note on a patient; discussing patient behavior and needs with patient and family; home programs and education materials