Associate of Applied Science | 74 credits including prerequisites

Health Professions Division
Jordan Campus JHS 059
Program Information 801-957-6200
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
Kenneth Freeman, Professor and Program Coordinator

Program Description
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program provides both general and technical education. The Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

The Program consists of four semesters of physical therapist assistant coursework and skill-based instruction in addition to several selected prerequisite courses. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded an associate of applied science degree. Graduates are able to sit for the National Examination for Physical Therapy Education (NPTE), which allows the individual to be eligible for licensure. To practice as a physical therapist assistant in Utah, licensure is required.

Career Opportunities
The physical therapist assistant is a health care provider working with individuals and their families under the supervision of a physical therapist in providing patient/client care by applying a variety of therapy treatments in a variety of health care settings. Treatment techniques include therapeutic exercises, and physical agent and mechanical modalities. Health care settings include hospitals, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, out-patient clinics, sports medicine clinics, workplaces, schools and homes. The physical therapist assistant will be involved in the modification of treatment programs, client/family education and discharge planning under the direction and general supervision of a physical therapist.

Estimated Cost for Students
Current tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $1,686.00
Supplies: $0.00
Course Fees: $625.00
Immunizations/Screens: $332.00
APTA Membership: $85.00
Total Costs: $2,728.00

Estimated Time to Completion
For students who follow the suggested semester schedule, time to completion for the entire Program is five semesters.

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Program Entry Requirements

GENERAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Be admitted to SLCC as a matriculated student. See http://www.slcc.edu/apply/index.aspx and declare your major as Pre-Medical and Health Sciences
• High School Graduate or equivalent
• For transfer credit, submit OFFICIAL, SEALED transcripts for ALL colleges and universities where prerequisite course work has been completed.
  Send to:
  SLCC Office of the Registrar and Academic Records
  4600 South Redwood Road
  P.O. Box 30808
  Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0808
• Also, a request to have an OFFICIAL evaluation of student’s transcript(s) must be submitted to the SLCC Transfer Evaluation Office. The form is located at: http://www.slcc.edu/transcriptevaluation/. This process may take 4-6 weeks and must be completed before a student’s application will be considered
• Complete SLCC placement process, or submit current SAT/ACT test scores, if MATH and ENGL course work have not been transferred to SLCC (required before you are able to register for classes that have MATH and ENGL courses as prerequisites). See: www.slcc.edu/testing

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM SELECTIVE ADMISSONS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• The courses listed below (or equivalent transfer credit, AP or CLEP) must be completed with a C grade or better with the exception of BIOL 2320  / BIOL 2325  and PTA 1010  , which must be completed with a B grade or better within five years prior to the start of the program. All courses are limited to two attempts within five years prior to the start of the program.  AP Credit: AP scores of 3 or higher for a prerequisite course will be considered for admission into the Program; however, this does not guarantee acceptance into the Program. Please see the Physical Therapist Assistant Program academic advisor with questions. Program course prerequisites are as follows:
• ENGL 1010 Intro to Writing (EN)  with APA referencing
• MATH 1040 Intro to Statistics (QL)  or MATH 1050 College Algebra (QL)  
• BIOL 2320 Human Anatomy  & BIOL 2325 Human Anatomy Lab  
  (If you are taking anatomy at SLCC, you must take BIOL 1610/1615 first w/C grade or better.)
• PSY 1100 Lifespan Human Growth and Development (SS)  
• PTA 1010 Intro to Physical Therapy  
• MA 1100 Medical Terminology  

NOTE All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the application deadline for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of other prerequisite classes. Those prerequisites must be satisfied before the designated Program prerequisite course may be taken.

• See the Physical Therapist Assistant webpage for essential information regarding completion of application and additional requirements at www.slcc.edu/ptassistant/admissions.aspx. Application submission does not guarantee admission to the Program. Students should see the Physical Therapist Assistant academic advisor for further information.
• HESI Pre-admission exam - A minimum score of 75% is required for consideration for admission to the Program; however, this does not guarantee admission into the Program. Please see the Physical Therapist Assistant Program academic advisor with questions.
• Proctored Essay – See the Physical Therapist Assistant Program webpage for essential information regarding the essay requirements. www.slcc.edu/ptassistant/admissions.aspx.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of entry in the Program.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students admitted into the PTA Program will be required to purchase a COMPLIO (American DataBank) Compliance Package and submit the following in COMPLIO:

• Proof of all required Program immunizations or proof of immunity.
• Proof of successful completion of CPR certification (American Heart Association Two-Year BLS Provider).
• Certification must not expire while in the Program.
• Purchase and complete a background check through SLCC’s authorized vendor (American DataBank). Failure to pass the background check may result in Program dismissal.
• Upon notification, purchase and complete drug screening through SLCC’s authorized vendor. Failure to pass drug screen may result in Program dismissal. Students are not to purchase drug screening until notified.
• Students are fiscally responsible for complying with requirements specific to working in clinical settings. The following costs are estimates only for planning. Actual cost and frequency are determined by vendors and specific clinical facilities. Estimated costs include:
• Background check - $30
• Drug Screen Package - $35
• Compliance Package - $15/yr
• Immunizations - (Cost varies considerably based on insurance coverage, past vaccinations, and personal immunity)
• It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Utah State Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) to seek advice regarding eligibility for licensure and requirements needed to progress in this profession if the criminal background check discloses issues of concern.

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Specialized Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Salt Lake Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education,1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, telephone:  703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

Licensure Information
Graduation from the Physical Therapist Assistant program does not guarantee the ability to obtain a Utah state license to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant.  Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of each state.  In order to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant, students must satisfy individual state requirements, independent of SLCC graduation requirements.  It is highly recommended that students consult in advance with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), or similar agencies in other states, to find out more about eligibility for licensure.  DOPL can be reached at 801-530-6628 or at their website.

For students who plan to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in another state, here is one suggested website for researching state licensure requirements: License Finder sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have difficulty finding the licensure requirements for your state, please contact your academic advisor or SLCC’s state authorization coordinator for help. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 2 - Communicate effectively 3 - Develop quantitative literacies 4 - Think critically & creatively 5 - Become a community engaged learner 6 - Work in professional & constructive manner 7 - Develop computer & information literacy
Program graduates demonstrate technological skills appropriate for entry-level employment as a physical therapist assistant.	1, 4, 7
Program graduates demonstrate research skills appropriate to an entry-level physical therapist assistant.	3, 4
Program graduates demonstrate professionalism through behaviors consistent with the APTA Code of Ethics and state licensure regulations for physical therapist assistants.	1, 5
Program graduates demonstrate skills in the use of current equipment consistent with the field of physical therapy.	1, 5
Program graduates communicate clearly with physical therapy stakeholders in verbally and written formats.	2