General Program Description

Established in 1996, the WCC Physical Therapist Assistant Program has prepared over 250 graduates for employment in health care. The program has full accreditation status through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) with the next review being in 2014. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is an integrated, 5 semester course of study consisting of 74 hours of general education and physical therapist assistant classes leading to an Associate in Applied Science. Classes during the first two semesters are designed so that students have some time to work, if necessary. The program strives to graduate students who are prepared to function as competent PTAs in the areas of skill, knowledge, attitude and aptitude. To obtain licensure, graduates must successfully complete the National Physical Therapy Examination developed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Clinical Experiences
Each student is required to complete 680 hours of supervised clinical experience. The first series of clinical experiences occur two weeks during the third semester, then six weeks during the fourth semester, and nine weeks during the final semester. The clinical sites are located throughout the College’s service area and the state.

Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members and two part-time faculty members. The faculty-to-student ratio does not exceed 1:14 in laboratory settings.

Enrollment
Wallace Community College is a public two-year community college operated under the auspices of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. Total enrollment for spring semester 2014 was 4,406 students.

Admission
The admission process to PTA is competitive. Application packets will be made available on this site beginning March 1 and will be due for submission no later than the published deadline applicable to each year, which falls typically toward the end of May. Applicants who are new or readmitted WCC students must have completed all requirements for admission to the College prior to submitting an application packet for consideration. Space in the PTA program is limited by availability of clinical sites, as well as classroom space and number of faculty. Class size is set annually by the PTA faculty with input from College officials and the PTA Advisory Committee, but generally ranges around 28 students. In order to be unconditionally accepted into the Program, students must have completed all developmental course placement requirements and be eligible to enter or have already completed MTH100, BIO201, and ENG101. Students enrolled in courses prerequisite to the above at the time of application may receive a conditional admission. Failure to complete the prerequisite courses will result in withdrawal of admission acceptance. Program applicants will be required to submit scores from the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills Version V exam (TEAS®-V) in their admission application packet. A summary of the scoring system, as well as a copy of the curriculum is available from this site. Remember, applicants must meet both College and PTA program requirements for admission. Classes begin in the fall of each year.

Outcomes
79% of students graduate from the program (2010-2012); 92% licensure exam pass rate (2011-2013); 100% of graduates secured employment in their field of training within six months of graduation.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
For the 2013-2014 academic year, estimated in-state tuition and fees for the entire integrated program were $13,603. This includes fees, uniforms, malpractice insurance, graduation fee, substance abuse screening, criminal background screening, physical, and required immunizations. There are no student residences on campus. There are many sources of financial aid available in this area of study. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (334) 556-2476.

Student life
Wallace Community College is located in Southeast Alabama. The campus is within an hour drive of Lake Eufaula and a 1.5 hour drive of the Gulf Coast beaches. The community offers city-supported recreational programs including a water park, tennis courts, basketball, soccer, and baseball. Dothan is also the location of “The Highlands”, a Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. The climate is excellent for all outdoor recreational activities, such as fishing, hunting and water skiing. The college has an active student chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).