General Program Description

The PTA program consists of 30 semester hours of general education coursework and 48 semester hours of the physical therapist assistant major over 5 continuous semesters in an integrated curricular model. Upon completing degree requirements, graduates are eligible to sit for a state-administered national examination to obtain licensure as a physical therapist assistant. Students are admitted to the program once each year in the fall semester.

Clinical Experiences
There are three full-time clinical education experiences of 4 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks duration. The first four week clinical education course is conducted between the first and second year of the program. The remaining clinical education courses are conducted during the last semster of the program. Students are placed in a variety of different clinical settings, but typically have exposure to acute care, outpatient, and long-term care or rehabilitation environments.

Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members. The faculty to student ratio is 1:18.

Enrollment
The physical therapist assistant program admits 18 students each fall.

Admission
Admission to the PTA program is competitive and based on several criteria. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate the greatest potential to be successful in the program. Selection criteria may be higher than minimum requirements. Minimum requirements for consideration include a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all high school and college work attempted. Applicants must take the TEAS V, submit an online PTA interest form, and attend an information session on campus, as well as meet all other general admission requirements of the institution. Applicants should have an awareness of the job requirements of a physical therapist assistant and must complete a minimum of 24 hours of observation in a setting for physical therapy. Although not required, it is recommended that applicants have exposure to other areas of physical therapy practice through additional observation. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed courses in the PTA curriculum. A group of the highest ranking applicants (based on the above criteria) will be invited to participate in a formal interview process. Final selection will be made from this group. Students are admitted in the fall semester only. The application and all related admission materials must be properly completed and returned to the Office of Admissions by May 21 of the year for which admission is sought. 21.2% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average 2012-2014).

Outcomes
87.5% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average 2012-2014). 100% of graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average 2012-2014). 100% of graduates were employed within 6 months of passing the licensure exam (3-year average 2012-2014).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2014-2015 academic year is $89 per semester hour for in-state students and $178 per semester hour for out-of-state students; all students pay a $30 student activity fee, a $40 registration fee, a $50 instructional fee, a $20 parking fee, a $4 accident insurance fee, a $25 public safety fee, and a $105 technology fee each semester, and $11 liability insurance fee each year for students enrolled in health programs. Full-time tuition and fees (15 semester hours or more) is $1609 for an in-state student. The purpose of the financial aid program is two-fold: assistance is provided to students who would be unable to attend school without such aid (need-based awards) and assistance is provided to students in recognition of their accomplishments (merit-based awards). Three basic types of financial aid are available: scholarships, grants, and employment. These programs are funded by federal and state governments and by the institution through the Athens Tech Foundation, Inc.

Student life
The PTA program is located on the second floor of the Health and Life Science Building on Athens Tech’s main campus in Athens, Georgia. The PTA laboratory is a state-of-the-art multimedia classroom and well-equipped with up-to-date physical therapy equipment. General education courses are offered on the Athens Tech campus as well as three satellite campuses and online. Counseling services, career planning and placement, and disability services are available to students through the Office of Student Affairs. The Athens Tech Student Advisory Council (ATSAC) provides students an advisory role in decision-making for the institution and also sponsors community service and institutional improvement projects. ATSAC also provides funding for campus organizations and clubs, including the PTA Student Organization. This funding has allowed PTA students to attend various educational and professional development activities such as state and national APTA meetings. Athens is also home to the University of Georgia, the oldest state-chartered university in the country with several top-ranked collegiate sports teams including the UGA football team. Athens has two large award-winning health care systems which serve as clinical sites for the PTA program. Athens has a thriving artist community and is world renowned for its local music scene. Athens is only an hour away from Atlanta, the mountains, or lakes, and is a short drive to the Atlantic ocean. Comprehensive information about Athens Technical College can be found on the Athens Tech home page at http://www.athenstech.edu.