Physical Therapist Assistant | MCC

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapist assistants team with physical therapists to help people live healthy and active lives.

Program Contact
Stephanie Lutz, PTA, MAE
PTA Program Director
270.824.1743
GET STARTED TODAY 270.821.2250

 

What is a 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.

Physical Therapist Assistant students.

Getting Started

What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?

How Do I Pay For This?

Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, MCC has you covered. MCC will help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Additional Information

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Madisonville Community College is committed to the development of entry-level graduates who are dedicated to provide best-practice physical therapy, strive to pursue lifelong learning, and to engage in service and responsiveness to meet the needs of rural communities. The program will include contemporary professional expectations for the clinical and professional development of graduates whom will provide safe, ethical, culturally sensitive, and competent care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

COHORT GRADUATION RATES
Year Results
2019 14 of 16 - 88%
2020 15 of 16 - 94%
2021 13 of 16 - 81%
2022 13 of 16 - 81%
2023 15 of 16 - 94%
2024 6 of 14 - 43%
GRADUATION RATES FROM 2019-2024 (2-year averages)
Year Results
2019/2020 91%
2020/2021 91%
2021/2022 81%
2022/2023 87.5%
2023/2024 70%
ULTIMATE LICENSURE PASS RATE
Year Results
2019 100%
2020 81%
2021 75%
2022 92.3%
2023 66.7%
2024 83.3%
ULTIMATE LICENSURE PASS RATES FROM 2019-2024 (2-year averages)
Year Results
2019/2020 90.65%
2020/2021 79%
2021/2022 84%
2022/2023 79%
2023/2024 --
EMPLOYMENT RATES - GRADUATES
Year Results
2019 100%
2020 100%
2021 100%
2022 100%
2023 100%
2024 --
EMPLOYMENT RATES FROM 2019-2024 (2-year averages)
Year Results
2019/2020 100%
2020/2021 100%
2021/2022 100%
2022/2023 100%
2023/2024 --
FIRST TIME LICENSURE PASS RATE 
Year Results
2019 100%
2020 75%
2021 66.7%
2022 76.9%
2023 40%
2024 --
FIRST TIME LICENSURE PASS RATES FROM 2018-2024 (2-year averages)
Year Results
2019/2020 90%
2020/2021 71.4%
2021/2022 72%
2022/2023 75%
2023/2024 --

PTA is a selective admission program accepting 16 students each year. The deadline for the application process is October 1 annually.

In addition to MCC's Admission page, candidates to the program must meet the following minimum standards:

  • Enrollment in and/or completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher at the time of application: ENG 101, MAT 150, BIO 137, BIO 139, PSY 110, and AHS 105.
  • Submission of a valid ACT/SAT score;
  • Submission of official transcripts from all previously-attended colleges;
  • Submission of a MCC Application(unless currently enrolled at the time of application);
  • Verification of attendance at a Preadmission Conference
  • Verification of 2 Physical Therapy Clinicians Interviews
  • Submission of a personal letter of application
  • Submission of 3 letters of recommendation (in the form of PTA Program Recommendation Surveys), 1 of which must be completed by a PT or PTA
  • Submission of a PTA Program Application Packet

Preference may be given to applicants who:

  • Have a cumulative (overall) Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Overall GPA is calculated based on all previous college coursework completed through the summer semester preceding the date of application. Mid-term grades for classes in which the applicant is enrolled during the semester of application will not be used in the calculation of an applicant s overall GPA.

  • Have a cumulative Key GPA of 3.0 or higher (includes grades in BIO 137: Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 139: Human Anatomy and Physiology II, MAT 150: College Algebra, and AHS 105: Introduction to Allied Health Occupations). Mid-term grades will be used for key GPA calculation if enrolled in any of these courses at the time of application.

  • Have an ACT (SAT equivalent) composite score of 19 or higher;

  • Have completed 12 or more credit hours in higher education

  • Are Kentucky residents

Applicants will earn points based on certain levels of performance. Applicants who meet the minimum standards for admission requirements will be considered qualified applicants.

Verified attendance at a Preadmission Conference is a requirement for the Fall 2025 admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. All prospective applicants must pre-register to attend a preadmission conference by emailing Stephanie Lutz stephanie.lutz@kctcs.edu before the scheduled date.

February 25 (online session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm
March 25 (online session) 5:30pm - 7:00pm

April 17 (in-person session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm - MCC Health Sciences Campus, Baptist Health Allied Health Sciences Building, Room 112

May 1 (in-person session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm - MCC Health Sciences Campus, Baptist Health Allied Health Sciences Building, Room 112

August 5 (online session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Projected Total Expenses for 2023-2024 Academic Year 

Tuition and Program Expenses (3 semesters of Technical Coursework) 

Resident students: $9618.40 

Nonresident students: $12,286.40 

Includes: Tuition, textbooks, clinical requirements (Drug screen, background check, vaccinations, lab attire, etc.) Projected cost does not include expenses incurred for travel to/from clinical practicums 

Post-graduation expenses: 

Kentucky State Licensing Fee $225 

Federal and State Background Check (KY licensure applicant) $51.25 

Prometric Test State Fee $55.60 

Licensure Exam = $485 

Any comments or feedback received from a potential student, a clinical instructor, facility, or non-institutional employee or member of the public shall be forwarded to the program coordinator.
  • Comments must be provided in writing and signed by the author. Anonymous submissions will not be acknowledged nor will written comments provided on behalf of an anonymous source be acknowledged. The concern shall be stated with specific dates and explain the nature of the incident.
  • Comments must be submitted to the following address:

PTA Program Coordinator
Baptist Health Allied Health Sciences Building
Madisonville Community College
701 N. Laffoon Street
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431

  • The program coordinator shall respond to all comments within ten (10) business days of receiving the complaint in an attempt to resolve the issue. If the issue is not resolved, it will be referred to the Allied Health Division Chair. If not resolved at the division level, the Dean of Academic Affairs or Provost will be consulted for an action plan of resolution. If satisfactory resolution is not or cannot be reached, appeal may be made to the Office of the President. The decision of the President is final and not subject to further appeal. Neither the Dean nor the President will become involved until all attempts to resolve the issue through the Program Director have been exhausted, unless the comment is directly related to the performance of the Program Coordinator.
  • The original written complaint and resolution shall be maintained in the PTA program files.
  • Records of all correspondence will be confidentially maintained by the Program Director for five (5) years. These records are not open to the public.
  • Comments related directly to the performance of the Program Coordinator should be addressed to:

MCC Associate Dean of Health Sciences
Madisonville Community College
701 N. Laffoon Street
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431

  • If the complaint falls within the supervision scope of the Academic Clinical Coordinator of Education (ACCE), the ACCE may address the issue with the student following a conference with the program coordinator.
  • The ACCE maintains a copy of the incident report and resolution.
  • The ACCE will forward a copy of the ACCE’s conference with the student to the Program Coordinator for further conference if required.
  • CAPTE has a mechanism to consider formal complaints about physical therapy education programs. More information regarding this complaint procedure can be found on the CAPTE website.

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.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Madisonville Community College is accredited by the Commission on in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: https://www.capteonline.org/.

The program’s current status is probationary accreditation; for more information see https://www.capteonline.org/about-capte/recent-actions-and-updates/recent-actions. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 270-824-1743 or email stephanie.lutz@kctcs.edu.

 

Length of Program

It will take a minimum of 5 semesters to get an associate degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. Students must complete a minimum of one semester of classes prior to admission to four semesters of PTA program courses.

This program is a selective admissions program and due to these requirements students may find that it takes longer to earn enough points to be admitted into the 4 semesters of PTA program classes.

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

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