Physical Therapist Assistant
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This 78 credit-hour program is designed to produce highly skilled, technically educated therapy professionals. The combination of classroom, lab, and clinical experiences prepares students to become licensed Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). Graduates are eligible to work under the direction of a Physical Therapist in a variety of health care settings.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to register for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, to obtain professional licensure.
Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general admission requirements) must include one of the following:
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Attain an 18 composite score on the national ACT;
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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
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Observe in a Physical Therapy Department; and
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Submit two references; and
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Submit an autobiographical essay; and
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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).
FIRST YEAR | FIRST SEMESTER |
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Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
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PHY 2243 | Physical Science I | 3 |
PHY 2241 | Physical Science I Lab | 1 |
ENG 1113 | English Composition I | 3 |
BIO 2513 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
BIO 2511 | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
PSY 1513 | General Psychology | 3 |
PTA 1123 | Fundamental Concepts of Physical Therapy | 3 |
PTA 1111 | Health Care Experience I | 1 |
Semester Hours | 18 |
FIRST YEAR | SECOND SEMESTER |
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Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
MAT 1313 | College Algebra | 3 |
BIO 2523 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
BIO 2521 | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
SPT 1113 | Public Speaking | 3 |
PTA 1213 | Fundamental Skills for Physical Therapist Assistants | 3 |
PTA 1315 | Kinesiology | 5 |
- | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
Semester Hours | 21 |
FIRST YEAR | SUMMER SEMESTER | ||
Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
PTA 1224 | Therapeutic Modalities | 4 |
PTA 1911 | Seminar I | 1 |
PTA 2233 | Electrotherapy | 3 |
PTA 1921 | Seminar II | 1 |
PTA 2413 | Clinical Education I | 3 |
Semester Hours | 12 |
SECOND YEAR | FIRST SEMESTER |
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Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
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PTA 1324 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation I | 4 |
PTA 2334 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation II | 4 |
PTA 2513 | Medical Conditions and Related Pathology | 3 |
PTA 2911 | Seminar III | 1 |
Semester Hours | 12 |
SECOND YEAR | SECOND SEMESTER |
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Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
PTA 2424 | Clinical Education II | 4 |
PTA 2434 | Clinical Education III | 4 |
PTA 2444 | Clinical Education IV | 4 |
PTA 2523 | Physical Therapy Seminar | 3 |
Semester Hours | 15 | |
Total Semester Hours | 78 |
Important Notice: Advanced placement credit and/or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) will not substitute for ENG 1113 (English Composition I).
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The two-year graduation rate from 2022-2023 is 82.1 percent (78.5% for 2022 and 85.7% for 2023).
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First time licensure examination pass rates are 91.3 percent (81.8% for 2022 and 100% for 2023) and 100 percent overall over a 2 year average.
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The employment rate for graduates over that period is 100 percent (100% for 2022 graduates and 100% for 2023 graduates) in either a full-time, part-time, or PRN positions.
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 here.