Physical Therapist Assistant

Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general admission requirements) must include one of the following:

• Attain an 18 composite score on the national ACT;
• Attain a 16 or 17 composite on the national ACT and complete 18 semester hours of program general education coursework with an average of “C” or above at an accredited college or university.  These 18 hours of coursework should be selected from the following: Physical Science Survey I, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, College Algebra, English Composition I, General Psychology, Public Speaking, and Humanities/Fine Arts elective.  Anatomy and Physiology must have been completed within three years prior to admission into the PTA program; and
• Observe in a Physical Therapy Department; and
• Submit two references; and
• Submit an autobiographical essay; and
• Attend an interview session after all other requirements have been met.

Admission is competitive, and specific admission requirements must be met.  All requirements and required application materials are due by May 1, preceding the fall admission desired.  The deadline will be extended, if needed, until maximum enrollment is met.

The PTA Admissions Committee will select each year’s class from the pool of applicants who meet minimum admission requirements.  Any application with incomplete records will not be considered for admission.  The admission process is competitive, and completion of minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission. 

After program admission and prior to classes beginning, students must present a physical examination, a CPR Healthcare Provider certification and proof of immunization for MMR. A background check, a Mantoux Two-Step TB Skin Test, and a random drug screening will be scheduled after enrollment. All students admitted into the program will be required to pay for fingerprinting and a background check, which will be performed after admission and prior to clinical laboratories.  These fees will be attached as registration fees.  There are certain convictions that will prevent an individual from being eligible to participate in clinical experiences.  If a student is unable to participate in clinical experiences, he/she will be dismissed from the program.  For additional information, contact the Health Education Advisor.

Students in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program must attend MCC full time (15 or more semester credit hours).

Important Notice: Advanced placement credit and/or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) will not substitute for ENG 1113 (English Composition I).

• The two-year graduation rate from 2021-2022 is 85.7 percent (92.8% for 2021 and 78.6% for 2022). 
  
  
• First time licensure examination pass rates are 91.6 percent (100% for 2021 and 81.8% for 2022) and 100 percent overall.
  
  
• The employment rate for graduates over that period is 85.7 percent (62.5% for 2020 graduates and 100% for 2021 graduates) in either a full-time or part-time position.

The Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Meridian 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: capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 601.484.8613 or email twinsto1@meridiancc.edu.

MCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program is a program that meets the education requirements for a Physical Therapy Assistant in MS, and qualifies graduates to take the licensure examination administered by the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy. 

Determinations about whether the Physical Therapist Assistant program at MCC meets the state education requirements for US States, Territories, and the District of Columbia can be found at Professional Licensure & State Authorization Program Determination Disclosure.