Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

Physical Therapist AssistantPhysical Therapist AssistantAssociate of Applied SciencePhysical Therapist Assistants, or PTA’s, areskilled health care providers who work under thesupervision of a physical therapist. PTAs assistthe physical therapist in implementing treatmentprograms to help restore or improve function,relieve pain, encourage independence, andeducate patients and their families.PTAs work with patients or clients in a varietyof areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, andoutpatient clinics, as well as in the home, inschools, and on the job. The main goal in physicaltherapy is to help people help themselves. Becauseof the humanitarian nature of this profession, PTAsmust have a genuine interest in caring for others.The Physical Therapist Assistant program isaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation inPhysical Therapy Education. Additional informationregarding accreditation may be on obtained fromthe Commission on Accreditation in PhysicalTherapy Education, 1111 North Fairfax Street,Alexandria, VA 22314; accreditation@apta.org.;(703) 684-2782 or (702) 706-3245.Program Admission RequirementsA. All applicants must meet general admissionrequirements to South Texas College.B. High School graduation or GED Equivalent.C. Demonstrate proficiency in state-mandatedgeneral knowledge content through approvedmeans; i.e., Texas Higher EducationAssessment (THEA), ACCUPLACER, ASSET,and/or COMPASS with program specificexemptions accepted.D. Must take ACT plus Writing component. Achievea composite of a 19 or above on the ACT(English, Math, Reading and Sciencecomponents a minimum of 16 in all areas).ACT Writing component must be an 6 or above.Scores must be current within the last five years.E. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, on a4.0 scale in all transfer courses and coursescompleted at STC.F. Present documentation of a minimum of fifty(50 hours) of volunteer work experience underthe supervision of a PT or PTA in two differentsettings (Hospital, Nursing Home or OutpatientSetting). Home Health hours are not accepted.G. Participate in student advisement session withPTA faculty prior to registration.H. Earn a minimum grade of "B" in PTHA 1409Introduction to Physical Therapy within the last2 years.I. Complete all remaining prerequisites courseswith a minimum grade of "C" as listed In thedegree plan.J. Satisfy program specific requirements forclinical practice.K. Submit a completed PTA Program applicationby the posted deadline.Selection ProcessThe PTA Program selection process is based ona point system score. Students are ranked fromhighest to lowest utilizing verified points based onthe sum of 1) a computation score: degree planGPA times the number of degree plan coursesalready completed, and 2) "Documentation ofExperience Form" scores 3) Required ACT Testscores. Additional points will be awarded for:a "B" or better in College Success Course / orBachelors Degree or higher. Additional pointswill also be awarded for ACT scores above theminimum required scores. The 30 applicants withthe highest scores may be asked to participate ina second phase prior to final ranking. Applicantsare numerically ranked in descending order untilmaximum class size is reached.Due to program size limitations, a number ofapplicants who meet the program admissionsrequirements may not be admitted to the program.Qualified applications are ranked from highest tolowest points.Program ApplicationA new applicant pool is established for eachfall class. Applications will be available fromPTA faculty/staff advisors to students meetingadmission requirements. All students interestedin the program who are not granted admission(qualified or nonqualified) must reapply each yearif they wish to be considered for enrollment. Thedeadline for submission of completed applicationsis the Third Friday in May. Applicants will be notifiedof their status by mid-July. Please contact the PTAprogram’s office at (956) 872-3161 for additionalinformation.NOTE: Please see program WEB page for up-todateinformation regarding admission requirements,curriculum changes, selection criteria and procedures,and related Physical Therapy links at http://nah.southtexascollege.edu/Graduation RequirementsTo earn an Associate of Applied Science Degreeas a Physical Therapist Assistant, a studentmust meet college graduation requirements andcomplete all coursework as prescribed in thedegree plan with a minimum grade of “C.” Studentsmust achieve a minimum score of 75 percent topass all PTA courses. Students must also passthe Level II Exit Exam as a requirement of thefinal Capstone course. Licensure of Persons withhistory of Criminal Conviction / Substance Abuse4 According to the Texas Board of PhysicalTherapy Examiners PT Rules 343.5 theBoard may deny a license to or discipline anapplicant/respondent who has been found tohave a history of substance abuse.4 According to the Texas Board of PhysicalTherapy Examiners PT Rules 343.9 theBoard may revoke or suspend an existingvalid license, disqualify a person fromreceiving or renewing a license or deny to aNursing and Allied Health219