General Program Description
The program is converting to a semester format that is five semesters in length, starting with the technical cohort in the summer and finishing in the spring of the second year. The format is designed in line with The Guide to PT Practice areas of practice, arranged in a two-year sequential model, utilzing cases and lifespan components. There are presently two full-time members on the faculty, an annual adjunct professor, and a large pool of adjunct faculty members. The above semester conversion changes will began in August of 2012 and have largely been completed, except for minor course revisions or timing of content.
Clinical Experiences
There are three full-time clinical experiences. Students progress through a series of three main rotations, each being commensurate with the level of academic training, occurring during the initial Summer or Fall and final Spring terms. The clock hours across three different settings total 556 in the transition year and 608 during the full semester curriculum. The PTA Program has approximately 50 active agreements throughout the tri-state area. During 2015-16, the clinical rotations will remain the same for the first and last experiences, but the full time PTA 2070 Clinical will take place during end of the Fall term.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members, an annual adjunct professor, and a pool of clinicians who act as adjunct faculty as the need arises. Of the faculty, one acts as Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor and the other acts as ACCE and Assistant Professor. The faculty to student ratio is a average of 1:11 during technical core lab experiences.
Enrollment
The University of Cincinnati has a total enrollment of approximately 3,000 students as of the Fall of 2014. The physical therapist assistant program accepts a maximum of 22-24 students each spring, again with initiation of technical studies in the summer term.
Admission
Selection is competitive, based upon GPA, recommendations, a writing sample, a video clip, and job shadowing or volunteer experiences. Completion of the following requirements is necessary for consideration for admission into the physical therapist assistant program, but does not guarantee admission into the technical portion of the program. To be eligible for the selection process leading to the physical therapist assistant program, the following requirements must be met: 1) acceptance into UC Clermont College 2) minimum overall GPA of 2.75 and “C’s” in all pre-requisite coursework; GPA scores will be split evenly between overall GPA and science GPA. Science GPA consists of one intro. to Chemistry course and one Anatomy and Physiology course. 3) Academic coursework Fall Term: one course of Freshman English; one course of freshman Chemistry; one course in Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab; one course of introductory Psychology; and a first year college experience course entitled “Health Care Edge” – ALH 1005 or ALH 1011. Additionally in Spring term: PTA 1001 (Intro. to PT And Ethics) Anatomy and Physiology II, mathematics (College Algebra or Statistics) and physics with lab (preferred Allied Health Physics). Acceptance of any student would be conditional upon the successful completion of the remaining Spring term coursework, with at least a “C” grade in all courses. No waiting list is established, only a 3-5 applicant short term alternate list exists for up to 2 weeks into the Summer term. If an applicant is currently attending a college that does not offer these courses, it is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange to take the required courses at Clermont College or another accredited college, or find transfer credit for the courses, if available. Appointments and questions regarding prerequisite coursework may be directed to Sonia Jani at 513-732-5339. 4) Currently, documentation of 24 work or volunteer face-to-face hours in 3 different physical therapy settings is required by the admissions deadline of early January of each year. Hours must be documented by the facility on the forms provided in the online application. 5) Submission of 2 completed recommendation forms, including: one from a licensed physical therapist or assistant and one from a core science or health education professor.6) a timed and scored type written response to 1 question based upon course and observational experiences, and 7) for the top 25-30 scorers, a 4 minute digitally recorded video clip that contains an interview type question, rated by the admissions committee. Recommendations are not accepted from relatives or close friends. 8) An aptitude test (currently the HOBET-V/TEAS) is now required for admission and selection processing, beginning in the 2014 cycle. The cost is inexpensive and the use of the Clermont testing center is free. In 2014, the program will utilize online application submissions. Students preparing to apply to the program are advised to check regularly with the program office or online regarding admission requirements. Contact the PTA Office for the most recent requirements. Applications are available online at: http://www.ucclermont.edu/pta.html Student applicants should check with their future state licensing agency to receive counsel about the effect of any positive criminal background check. Criminal background checks are a requirement for all fully accepted PTA students as they enter the core curriculum in summer term. A positive check may postpone or end progress within the clinical component of the PTA Program. A few of the Program’s facilities currently request drug screening tests.
Outcomes
Relying upon data from 2012-14, 92% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 98% of the graduates passed the licensure exam on the first or second attempt since 2012; and 100% of these graduates have gained employment. Of those who sought employment in the physical therapy field, 95% were employed (3-year average). The program was temporarily closed during the transition to the UC Clermont College campus from the Uptown campus location and College of Allied Health Sciences, always maintaining its accreditation status. The program is accredited until December 31, 2016.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Current full-time tuition and fees at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College for the 2014-15 academic $222 per credit hour for full time students or $2658 per term for Ohio residents; an additional charge of $3616 per term is included for non-Ohio residents. Applicants living in nearby counties in Indiana and Kentucky may be eligible for the Metropolitan rate, recognizing a significant savings. Information on the Metropolitan rate can be found at: http://www.uc.edu/registrar/residency_reciprocity_metro/metro_rate_undergraduate.html The average cost of books and PTA related educational suppliies is approximately $500 per term. Students must show evidence of coverage of major medical insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to the UC plan. Any student who attends half-time or more must use the UC may provide its student plan for approximately $902 per term for the 2014 academic year or waive the coverage with proof of equivalent coverage. Specific PTA related cost estimates may be found at the Blackboard Advising Community. Students must be PTA majors to be enrolled in this site. The cost of annual lab blood borne pathogen insurance is $37 per year, billed each fall term. The approximate cost of the entire program for in-state students in 2014 is $19,499 and $33,594 for out of state students. This cost includes a per student charge for all allied health students of $215 per term for general allied health fees, as well as $110 for a supply kit for lab purposes.
Student life
The University of Cincinnati has established a continuing reputation for excellence in graduate and undergraduate education, cultural services and basic and applied research. Clermont College enjoys the advantages of the UC system, along with small class size and newly designed facilities for the Science and Health Department at UC East. The new mission for Clermont College may be found at: http://www.ucclermont.edu/about/MissionStatement.html