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.
What are my career choices?
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that this field is expected to grow at a very fast pace with rapid growth in the number of middle-aged and elderly individuals.
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.
What are my degree options?
Physical Therapist Assistant – Associate in Applied Science
Mission Statement
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 direct supervision of a physical therapist.
| 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 - 93.75% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019/2020 | 91% |
| 2020/2021 | 91% |
| 2021/2022 | 81% |
| 2022/2023 | 87.5% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 100% |
| 2020 | 81% |
| 2021 | 75% |
| 2022 | 92.3% |
| 2023 | 60% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019/2020 | 90.65% |
| 2020/2021 | 78.5% |
| 2021/2022 | 76% |
| 2022/2023 | 75% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 100% |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019/2020 | 100% |
| 2020/2021 | 100% |
| 2021/2022 | 100% |
| 2022/2023 | 100% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 100% |
| 2020 | 75% |
| 2021 | 66.7% |
| 2022 | 76.9% |
| 2023 | 40% |
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 2019/2020 | 90% |
| 2020/2021 | 71.4% |
| 2021/2022 | 72% |
| 2022/2023 | 75% |
PTA is a selective admission program accepting 16 students each year. The deadline for the application process is October 1 annually.
In addition to MCCs 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 that meet the minimum standards for admission requirements will be considered qualified applicants. All qualified applicants will be required to participate in a formal interview with the PTA Program Admission Committee. The intent of the interview is to evaluate the applicant's qualities such as communication abilities and professional demeanor.
Verified attendance at a Preadmission Conference is a requirement for the Fall 2024 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 29 (online session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm
March 28 (online session) 5:30pm - 7:00pm
May 2 (in-person session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm - MCC Health Sciences Campus, Baptist Health Allied Health Sciences Building, Room 112
August 1 (in-person session) 5:30pm – 7:00pm - MCC Health Sciences Campus, Baptist Health Allied Health Sciences Building, Room 112
September 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
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. The program admits one cohort of students each year. Once admitted to the program, the technical component of the curriculum begins in January.
Accreditation
Physical Therapist Assistant program at Madisonville Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation 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/. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (270) 824-1743 or email stephanie.lutz@kctcs.edu.
Complaint Process
Any comments or feedback received from a potential student, a clinical instructor, clinical facility, or non-institutional employee or member of the public shall be forwarded to the program coordinator. Complaints that fall outside of the KCTCS due process should follow the following procedure:
- 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 Allied Health Division Chair
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.
