General Program Description

The PTA program utilizes an integrated curriculum model designed to strengthen learning as students begin to see relationships between related courses and technology courses. Students must complete prerequisite courses and then complete two full years of integrated coursework. The technology courses are offered once a year, including summers, for a total of 80 weeks of education.Two full-time faculty members provide instruction in the program, and a variety of health professionals provide guest lectures.

Clinical Experiences
In the first year of the program, students complete 2-hour clinic visits in each of their physical therapist assistant classes. In the second year of the program, students will complete 1 part-time clinical experience consisting of two weeks at 6 hours/week followed by five weeks at 36/hours/week, and 2 full-time clinical experiences lasting a total of 13 weeks. The clinical experiences are completed in a variety of settings, with most sites located within a 75-mile radius of the Owens campus.

Faculty
There are 2 full-time and 1 part-time faculty members. The faculty to student ratio is 1:16.

Enrollment
Total enrollment at the Owens Campus is approximately 4,800, including both full- and part-time students. The physical therapist assistant program enrolls 16 first-year and 16 second-year students for a total enrollment of 32 students.

Admission
The college operates on a semester basis. Admission to the PTA program is limited to 16 students each year and is separate from admission to the college. Application for acceptance into the PTA Program must be received by Feburary 1. Minimal criteria for admission include cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 and courses required for application. When a program is oversubscribed, qualifiedstudents who apply to the PTA Program will be ranked according to the following criteria: Delaware residency, courses required for application, technical major courses, cumulative GPA, and failing grades in support and major technical courses. Points are awarded and/or deducted for each of these criteria. Students must also complete 16 hours of observation in a physical therapy clinic prior to admission. Degrees are conferred in May.

Outcomes
68.7% of admitted students graduate from the program (3 year average) using 2011, 2012, 2013 data. 87.1% Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass rate for the program (3 year average) using 2011, 2012, 2013 data. 94.4% of students who graduate find employment within 6 months of getting their license (3 year average) using 2010, 2011, 2012 data. Graduation rates: Class of 2009: 64.7%; Class of 2010 62.5%; Class of 2011 76.4%, Class of 2012 50%, Class of 2013 75% Ultimate Licensure Pass rate: Class of 2009 87.5%; Class of 2010 88.8%; Class of 2011 85.7%, Class of 2012 83.3, Class of 2013 92.3% Employment Rates: Class of 2009: 100%; Class of 2010: 100%, Class of 2011 83.3% Class of 2012 100%, Class of 2013 in progress

Tuition, fees and financial aid
For the 2013-14 academic year, tuition is a $125.75/credit hour with a maximum of $1509.00 (12 or more credits) for in-state residents and $314.50/credit hour to a maximum of $3,774.00 for nonresidents. Other fees include liability insurance, lab fees, technology fees, transportation to clinics, clinic dress expense, and books. Financial aid is available through loans, work scholarships, work-study assignments, instituitional funding and federal and state funds. Additional information may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office at 302 259-6133.

Student life
The college is composed of 4 campuses. The Owens Campus is located in the heart of Sussex County on 120 landscaped acres. This rural setting serves as a focal point for education, community, recreation, and cultural happenings in the county. Outdoor amenities include picnic pavilions, a walking track, a volleyball pit, baseball and softball fields. Cafeteria, bookstore, academic counseling, career services, intercollegiate sports and club activities are provided on campus. Housing is not provided. The PTA program and club participate in community and local continuing education offerings, DPTA meetings, and volunteer service.