General Program Description
Surry Community College offers a two-year integrated PTA program. In this type of program, students take core courses such as Anatomy & Physiology and Psychology at the same time as they are taking their PTA specific courses. This type of program has the students all together in the same classes for the entire 5 semester program, allowing students to form close relationships and bonds with each other.
Clinical Experiences
Students have their first clinical experiences in the second half of the third semester (summer of the first year they are in the program.) They then complete two additional 6 week clinical experiences in the fifth semester of the program (January through March of their second year in the program.) Students are expected to complete clinical rotations in a variety of settings, including acute inpatient, outpatient, and skilled nursing or home health settings.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty for the program; college faculty from other divisions teach core courses such as Anatomy & Physiology and Psychology.
Enrollment
Sixteen students are accepted into the program each year.
Admission
The Surry Community College PTA program has competitive admissions based on TEAS test scores, GPA, experience in the health care field, an interview, and an essay. Applications are due in February for admission to the PTA program the coming Fall semester.
Outcomes
The initial Surry Community College PTA program graduating class in 2010 had an 80% first pass rate. The second graduating class in 2011 had an 83% first pass rate. Each year, only one student did not pass the first time the board exam was taken.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
In-state tuition is $5175.00 for the 5 semester program, based on 2012-2013 rates. Additional fees, including the cost of books, total approximately $1900.00 for the 5 semester program. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Student life
Surry Community College is located in a small rural town. The college offers limited interscholastic sports and multiple clubs. Students are encouraged to join the PTA club and to take part in college activities as their schedules allow.