General Program Description
Lake Land College PTA Program is a 5-semester program with each freshman class beginning in the fall. The program is full time with the majority of the curriculum scheduled during the day. PTA classes are held at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology in Effingham, Illinois, while support classes are held on the main campus in Mattoon, Illinois. Students who have successfully completed the program will be allowed to sit for the Illinois Board Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. Licensure is required in the state of Illinois.
Clinical Experiences
There are four clinical practicums to reinforce the skill learned and to transfer theory into practice. The clinical begins with 240 hours and ends with 320 hours. The students may be required to travel within a 75-mile radius. Clinical experience is provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, private practices, sports medicine and industrial rehabilitation facilities, schools, nursing homes, and home health.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members. One faculty member is engaged in clinical practice. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:12.
Enrollment
Students are admitted into the Program based on the COMPASS Assessment tests, prerequisite course, and information provided in the Program application form. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program admits 24 students each fall. Students not selected must reapply for consideration for the next Fall class. Lake Land College has cooperative agreements in place with Parkland, Richland, and Danville Community Colleges.
Admission
Physical Therapist Assistant application requirements include admission to Lake Land College; completion of the PTA Program application form (obtained from Program website); completion of the COMPASS Assessment tests; and completion with a “C” or better of one year high school biology or zoology, or Lake Land College (BIO100) Bio Science I within the past five years. The prerequisite course and all requirements must be completed and on file by March 1 to be considered for the fall semester. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the PTA Program secretary for file completion before this date. After acceptance into the PTA Program, students must have 20 observation hours in a physical therapy setting. Students must have a CPR card and health exams/immunizations prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Outcomes
For the Classes graduating 2012 – 2014, 87% of admitted students graduated from the program (3-year average); 100% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average); and 97% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition, fees, and books for the program total approximately $8,879 for Lake Land College District 517 residents. In addition to tuition and fees, costs for the Physical Therapist Assistant program students include: physical examination and immunization, workbooks, criminal background check, drug testing, clinical attire, transportation to clinical experiences (attempts will be made to keep travel distance no greater than 75 miles one way or 1.5 hours) and the board exam/license fee. If financial resources are not adequate to cover the cost of a college education, the Financial Aid and Veterans Services Office has a comprehensive financial aid program, and the Lake Land College Foundation has numerous scholarships available to qualified Lake Land College students. Plan to apply early. It takes 7-9 weeks to process financial applications and resources are limited.
Student life
Selecting a college to attend is one of the most important decisions ever made. Factors such as the cost of tuition and fees, availability of financial assistance, the job-placement rate of the college’s graduates, quality of instruction, and size of the school and classes are just a few of the characteristics that should be considered. Lake Land College offers the best in academics, convenient locations, small classes, and personalized attention all at a reasonable cost.