Physical Therapist Assistant

Admission Requirements

Procedure for Admission to the Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is a two-step process:

1. Candidates are eligible to enter the general education phase of the PTA program as "PTA students" by meeting South University's General Undergraduate Admission Requirements.
2. Candidates must complete prerequisite coursework and meet all requirements outlined below to be eligible for admission to the technical phase of the PTA program.

Students may transfer prerequisite courses into the program before entering the technical phase if approved by the registrar. The coursework that is transferred to South University must permit the student to obtain a 2.85 CGPA by the time the student applies for admission into the PTA technical phase. Students who transfer coursework into South University, but cannot mathematically attain a CGPA of 2.85 by the time they would enter the technical phase, will not be admitted to the PTA program.

Transfer credit will not be accepted for courses in the South University PTA Technical Phase Curriculum.

Note: This does not apply to South University PTA students (in good standing) transferring between campuses.

Students from South University who are in another major will be permitted to transfer into the general education phase of the PTA program if they meet all requirements as stated in the PTA Program Change Policy. Applicants must satisfy technical standards for the PTA program in order to be admitted.

Admission Requirements for the Technical Phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Applicants must apply for admission into the technical phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Applicants must submit a complete application packet and meet all admission requirements as stated below to enter the ranking process. The technical phase slots will be filled by applicants with the greatest academic potential for success as determined by the ranking process.  Applicants with the highest numerical ranking will be admitted to the technical phase of the program.

The criteria to determine admission to the PTA program include:

1. Application must be submitted seven (7) weeks before the start of the technical phase of the program.
2. Applicants must meet the Essential Functions and Technical Standards (listed in the application for admission and the program student handbook) of the program in order to enter the ranking process.
3. Applicants must complete a background check at their own cost using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The PTA program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants are not eligible for admittance into any portion of the PTA program if they have a felony conviction, plea, or adjudication withheld, or any disqualifying misdemeanor, for which a pardon or exemption for disqualification has not been received, including but not limited to rape or sexual abuse or molestation, and abuse, endangerment, or neglect of a child, disabled person, or elderly person.
4. Applicants must complete a drug screen at their own cost using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The PTA program follows the College of Health Professions Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into the PTA Program. Applicants may be eligible to reapply to a future admissions cycle (see PTA Program Director).
5. Applicants must complete an American Heart Association BLS CPR certification course (or equivalent as deemed by the program) and provide a copy of a valid card at the time of application. The card must remain valid throughout all clinical rotations.
6. Applicants must complete a health screening (physical exam showing medical clearance and proof of required immunity) before participating in the ranking process.
7. Applicants must complete 25 hours of observation in a physical therapy setting documented by a licensed PT or PTA on the appropriate form provided in the admissions packet. The completed form must be submitted at the time of application.
8. Applicants must achieve a 2.85 CGPA or greater in prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be successfully completed prior to entry into the Technical Phase of the PTA Program.
9. Applicants must submit ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores. Students must achieve a minimum level of "Proficient" to enter the ranking process. Scores will not be accepted if greater than 5 years old.
10.  Ranking will be based upon:
    1. Cumulative GPA in required prerequisite coursework (2.85 or greater required).
    2. Science GPA (required to score a B or higher in these courses; science coursework will not be accepted if greater than 7 years old).
       1. AHS1001 Medical Terminology
       2. BIO1011 Anatomy and Physiology I
       3. BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
       4. BIO1013 Anatomy and Physiology II
       5. BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

    3. The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) (minimum level of "Proficient" required).

    4. Repeating a course to achieve a higher grade is associate with penalty point deductions from the ranking score.

11. The number of students entering the technical phase will be determined by the Campus Director/President in conjunction with the PTA Program Director and the ACCE/DCE.

Technical Standards for Physical Therapist Assistant Students

The following standards reflect expectations of a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program for the performance of common physical therapy functions. In adopting these standards the PTA Program is mindful of the patient's right to safe function in a broad variety of clinical situations while receiving physical therapy interventions. The PTA student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while administering physical therapy interventions. These standards do not encompass all that may be required for employment of the PTA Program graduate. In order to verify the students' ability to perform these essential functions, students are required to demonstrate the following technical standards throughout the curriculum.

The faculty is the sole judge of a student's ability to meet these standards through successful completion of the requirements of the program and individual courses.

1. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills. Ability to collect, interpret and integrate information and use that information to make appropriate decisions.
2. Interpersonal Skills. Ability to collaboratively work with all PTA students and with program faculty and patients in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting.
3. Coping Skills. Ability to respond appropriately to stressful environments or during impending deadlines.
4. Communication Skills. Ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, nonverbal and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, families, and healthcare workers.
5. Mobility/Motor Skills. Sufficient motor ability to execute the movement and skills required for safe and effective physical therapy treatment in various clinical settings.
6. Sensory Abilities. Sufficient visual, auditory, and tactile ability to monitor and assess health needs.
7. Behavioral Skills. Ability to demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program fully supports the provision of reasonable accommodations to students with special needs. Program requirements will not be altered. Instead, it is the policy of South University to provide reasonable accommodations to students with special needs who request them so that they can meet the program requirements. It is the students' responsibility to contact the Dean of Student Affairs/Office of Disability Support Services with documentation to support their need for accommodations. Students are encouraged to contact the Dean of Student Affairs and/or Program Director as early as possible to discuss their particular situation.

Both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. Section 794, and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination against "otherwise qualified" persons with a disability. If an applicant can perform the Technical Standards listed above, he or she is "otherwise qualified" under the law and must be treated the same as a person without a disability. A person who cannot perform the Technical Standards is not "otherwise qualified" and may be denied access to the program without discrimination.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 98,700 physical therapist assistants employed in 2019. Employment of physical therapist assists is projected to grow 33% from 2019-2029, much faster than the average for all occupations (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-6). 

Licensure

Graduation from a CAPTE accredited physical therapist assistant education program or its equivalency and passage of the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) is required for licensure.  Graduation from this program does not guarantee licensure as a PTA, and it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the licensure requirements in each state. Complete information on practice acts and regulations can be obtained from the individual state licensing boards or through The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (www.fsbpt.org).  Specific information regarding application for licensure will be available to the student during the last term of study.

Course Requirements

Outcomes

In keeping with the stated purpose of South University, the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program strives to produce physical therapist assistants who, under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, reflect the highest standards of practice and conduct within the profession of physical therapy.

A physical therapist assistant is an educated health care provider who works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Duties include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients in exercise and activities of daily living, conducting treatments using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. (www.apta.org)

Programmatic Goals

Graduates will be able to:

1. Provide safe, efficient, efficacious interventions within the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
2. Communicate using effective and culturally-competent verbal, nonverbal, written, and digital communication.
3. Provide effective education to patients, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.
4. Demonstrate the ability to appropriately and efficiently utilize resources to provide high- value physical therapy services.
5. Recognize the importance of maintaining competence in applicable areas of physical therapy practice.
6. Demonstrate the ability to work within the guidelines and standards established by regulatory, professional, and organizational entities.
7. Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Core Values of the profession of physical therapy.

Graduation from a CAPTE accredited physical therapist assistant education program or its equivalency and passage of the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) is required for licensure.  Graduation from this program does not guarantee licensure as a PTA, and it is the student's responsibility to be aware of the licensure requirements in each state. Complete information on practice acts and regulations can be obtained from the individual state licensing boards or through The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (www.fsbpt.org).  Specific information regarding application for licensure will be available to the student during the last term of study.

Comments and Concerns

Please fill out this form and email to both sherrin@southuniversity.edu and tachamberlain@southuniversity.edu with any Comments, Concerns and Complaints.

All Fields Are Required

Note: Complaints regarding accreditation may be submitted directly to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Information regarding this process can be found online at http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints//