General Program Description
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is competency-based and provides sequential learning experiences progressing from the theoretical to applied using patient simulations in the laboratory and finally progressing to actual patient treatments in clinical education centers. Students will acquire the requisite cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skills, and professional behaviors to function as an effective physical therapist assistant. The PTA Program consists of four semesters and a five-week summer session including 26 credit hours in general education courses, 25 in PTA technical education courses, and 16 in clinical education courses. KVCC’s student-centered atmosphere, experienced and dedicated faculty, and strong support from the health care community throughout Maine distinguish the program. Facilities include two PTA laboratories, a simulation lab, and library. Students matriculate into the program in September.
Clinical Experiences
All students have clinical experiences throughout the program. At the end of the second semester, first year students have a 5-week, full-time experience. Second year students have two full-time 7-week experiences during the second semester of the second year. Clinical facilities are located primarily in Maine.
Faculty
There are two full-time core faculty members and several adjunct instructors; qualified clinical faculty members are located at each clinical education center.
Enrollment
Total enrollment at KVCC is approximately 590 full-time students and 1811 part-time students. The physical therapist assistant program accepts 21 students per class. There is a maximum of 42 students in the program.
Admission
Admission requirements include high school diploma or equivalent; Accuplacer reading score of 80 or a college level biology class with a lab; Accuplacer sentence skills score of 74 or a college level writing class; Accuplacer algebra score of 75 or a college level algebra class; high school physics with a lab (grade C+); Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS-V) with composite score of 60 percentile; 2 job shadows and essay. Students transferring from another college must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 at their previous educational institution.
Outcomes
75% of admitted students graduate 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 as PTAs (3 year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition is $90 per credit for Maine residents and $190 per credit for non-residents. The approximate cost of tuition and fees is $11,200 for Maine residents and $17,000 for non-residents to complete the PTA program. Over 60% of all Kennebec Valley Community College students receive financial aid. Approximately 72% of the PTA students receive financial assistance.
Student life
Kennebec Valley Community College, a public institution, is located on two campuses in mid-Maine. The Fairfield Campus is a 70-acre campus. It can be easily reached by taking exit 132 off interstate 95. The 600-acre Harold Alfond Campus is seven miles north of the Fairfield Campus on U.S. Route 201 in Hinckley, Maine. There are no dormitories on campus. KVCC offers a friendly, supportive learning environment. Small classes guarantee personal attention. A wide range of support services are available free of charge. Non-traditional students are the majority with an average age of 27. Students who carry a full course load spend approximately 25 hours per week in class. Within the Department of Allied Health, there are the following programs: physical therapsist assistant, occupational therapy assistant, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, health information technology, medical coding, medical assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, and advanced emergency services.