General Program Description
The program follows an integrated two-year curricular arrangement and consists of five semesters. Full-time students average 18-20 hours in class each week including classroom and laboratory instruction. Students begin PTA course work during the first semester of the program and begin clinical education experiences in the fall semester of the second year. Students of an accepted class matriculate in August each year. Graduation occurs in May, following two years of successful progression through the program. The faculty consists of two full-time, one part-time and several visiting specialty instructors.
Clinical Experiences
All students complete three full-time clinical experiences beginning in the fourth semester of study. Students complete two 6-week, full time rotations in the fifth semester of the program. The program has over 60 active clinical sites within a 200 mile radius of campus. Students complete clinical experiences in a variety of settings including small hospitals, major medical centers, rehabilitation agencies, school systems, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies. Students provide their own transportation and housing, when necessary, for each clinical rotation.
Faculty
There are two full-time and one part-time faculty members. The program also has numerous adjunct faculty that cover a wide spectrum of clinical practice backgrounds, who also lecture for the benefit of exposing students to the complexity and diversity of the profession as well as enhancing student learning experiences.
Enrollment
The college enrolls approximately 725 students each semester, varying in ages, sex, and cultural background. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program admits 24 students each fall.
Admission
Applications are accepted until March 15. Interviews are conducted March through July, with notice of admission by July 31. Admission to the PTA program is competitive and is based on the results of previous college classes, high school courses, letters of recommendation, work/volunteer related experiences and an interview. Suggested prerequisites include college-level courses in math, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and English. Interested students can review the program admissions process and co-requisite courses in the on-line student Career Catalog at the Martin Community College Website. Interested students should contact the Admissions Office for more information (252-792-1521 ext. 243).
Outcomes
Over the past 3 years (2012, 2013 and 2014), the ultimate passing rate for the licensure examination has been 92.0%.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition and fees for the 2013-2014 academic year are $71.50 per credit hour for in-state students and $263.50 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Additional student fees include the cost for books, student activity fee ($19.00/semester), and costs associated with clinical affiliations. For further information about available grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment contact the Financial Aid Office at (252) 792-1521 x 245).
Student life
There are no dormitories available to students; however, there are a number of off-campus rentals available with a varied price range. Martin Community College is located in a rural environment on a 65-acre campus, approximately 1.5 hours from the beaches of North Carolina. A wide diversity of cultural and entertainment activities are available here in Williamston, NC as well as in nearby Greenville, NC, which is within a 45-minute drive.