Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares you to become a physical therapist assistant (PTA) and perform selected components of interventions and data collection under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The curriculum combines general education and physical therapy courses. Various facilities are utilized for clinical experiences. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the national licensing examination for the physical therapist assistant. Enrollment in this program is limited; therefore, a selective admissions process is followed. Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in each required general education course; a minimum grade of “C” in each required PTA didactic course; and a grade of pass in each clinical practicum course to complete the program.

Available Credentials

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

• Physical Therapist Assistant: 67-78 credit hours

For program course requirements, consult the Madisonville Advising Plan.

Employment Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that this field is expected to grow at a very fast pace (greater than 36%) through the year 2010 due to the rapid growth in the number of middle-aged and elderly individuals. Employment opportunities median annual earnings in 2006 $41,410, and the employment growth rate from 2006-2016 is 25%.

Physical Therapist Assistants are among the top 10 fastest growing jobs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky according to the Kentucky Department for Employment Services, Research and Statistics Branch. The projected employment growth rate from 1998-2008 is 47.5%. Jobs in physical therapy and other fields can be found through Madisonville Community College's Career Services Listings.

Admission Requirements

PTA is a selective admission program. In addition to MCC’s general admission requirements, candidates to the program must complete the following:

• Application packet for admission to program 
• View Program Guide 
• View admission point system (revised 2009)
• Attend a pre-admission conference (See a list of dates or view the conference online)
• Document 8 hours of volunteer experience in the physical therapy setting. (A minimum of 4 hours must be in a hospital setting.) Download forms for documenting observation hours
• Complete all prerequisite course work by the end of the Fall semester of the year of application
• Meet with your PTA faculty advisor or a PTA Program faculty member prior to the application deadline. To schedule a meeting call (270) 824-1805.

Preference may be given to applicants who:

• Have an ACT composite score of 19 or higher (or equivalent on the SAT)
• Have completed 12 or more credit hours in the approved curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from any accredited college
• Are Kentucky residents
• Have completed a physics course
• Have completed a medical terminology course
• Have completed 16 hours of observation and/or work experience in a physical therapy setting

The application deadline for this program is October 1.

Length of Program

You can obtain an associate in applied science degree in two years. Following the completion of required general education coursework and successful admission to the program, you will complete the technical component of the curriculum after three consecutive semesters.

For more information

Angie Moser
(270) 824-1746
angie.moser@kctcs.edu

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.