General Program Description
PSI is a small, private, degree-granting institution which offers medial technology and general education courses to a culturally diverse, adult student population. PSI’s PTA program has been developed to include the student directly from high school, the non-traditional adult learner, those who are seeking a career change and those who now find themselves as a displaced worker within our local community. Smaller classes allow a blending of theory, hands-on-practice and on-the-job experiences to produce competent, entry level physical therapist assistants for the community. The administration, faculty and support staff strives to instill PSI graduates with pride of ownership of each student’s private life and professional life while fostering a lifelong desire for learning. PSI’s mission statement summarizes the experience at PSI—“Career Education for a Lifetime of Success.” The PTA program is divided into eight twelve-week quarters with a one week break between quarters. Day students attend 2 full days per week most quarters on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday split depending upon the year of enrollment or 5 nights a week on the evening schedule. Clinical practica occurs during Quarters VI and VIII for a total of 656 clinical hours. The program is presented over 24 months (96 weeks). To receive the AAS degree a student must successfully complete 300 hours in general education classes, 960 hours in technical and biological classes and 656 in clinical practica with a minimum quarter and cumulative GPA of 2.0, a minimum of 85% attendance in all classes and labs. The 23 credits of general education classes include an English composition class, introductory psychology and sociology classes which may be transferred to PSI if approved. The remaining credits may not be transferred to PSI. All academics from another institution require an official transcript. Students must receive a minimum of 80% in classes in order to progress through the program.
Clinical Experiences
Students are exposed to a variety of clinical settings throughout the 22 weeks of clinical experiences. PSI has contracts with numerous surrounding hospitals, clinics and nursing homes to allow quality clinical experiences. PSI also has contracts in Michigan and Indiana as well as Ohio. Students spend 4 days/week in 2 different clinic settings (144 hours each) during the sixth quarter and 5 days /week in another 2 different clinical sites (184 hours each) during the eighth quarter. All clinical practica occur during the day, per the individual clinical site schedules.
Faculty
At the present time there are 4 full time faculty, 2 consistent part time faculty, numerous contracted faculty and numerous teaching assistants. The lab faculty to student ratio is approximately 1:10 and the classroom faculty to student ratio for the technical classes is approximately 1:16. Several faculty members are graduates of the PTA Program at Professional Skills Institute. These instructors have additional degrees in related fields of athletic training, exercise physiology, and education. Two instructors are former PTAs who subsequently earned their degree in Physical Therapy.
Enrollment
The PTA program enrolls two classes per year, in April and October. The April matriculation offers an evening schedule of classes, while the October matriculation offers daytime classes. Evening courses are scheduled Monday through Friday beginning at 5:00pm. Daytime courses are scheduled two days per week for full days, with a half day on Friday for General Education courses. The curriculum is the same for both schedules. Students who enroll in either schedule format may choose to change their schedule from daytime to evening, or evening to daytime if necessary for desired outcomes. It is the student’s success that is central to the enrollment process.
Admission
Admission: All applicants for the PTA Program must meet the following requirements for consideration by the Admissions Selection Committee: • Be at least 18 years of age and submit either an official high school transcript or an official GED transcript • If applicable, provided an official college transcript • Pay the $45 fee for the TEAS-AH computerized admission exam. There are four components of the HOBET V test, including Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English. A passing score of 50% is needed in the “Adjusted Individual Total Score.” If not successful on the first attempt, the applicant may choose to retake the entire HOBET V at an additional $45 test fee to achieve the minimum Adjusted Individual Total Score of 50%. • Pay the $25 application fee • Review and sign PSI’s Track Record of the PTA program • Complete 60 hours of Observation at 2 different clinical sites and secure the required documentation and comments. • Complete a written essay based on completed PTA observation experience • Earn a minimum score of 64 points on the PTA Candidate Summary Qualification Form • Be accepted as a candidate into the program • Meet with Financial Aid to discuss cost and payment for the program • Receive an Academic Catalog • Sign and receive a copy of the State of Ohio Disclosure Form • Sign and receive a copy of the Enrollment agreement • Attend mandatory financial aid and educational orientations • For more information please contact the Admission’s Office at PSI’s website (www.proskills.com) or call 1 419 720 6670.
Outcomes
Passing Rate (ultimate) on Licensing Exam (from Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) Daytime and Evening cohorts combined Graduating Year: 2011: 55/60 92% 2012: 41/41 100% 2013: 48/52 92% 3 year Average: 95% Graduation Rates (Daytime and Evening cohorts combined) Graduating year: 2011: enrolled 69; graduated 61; graduation rate: 88% 2012: enrolled 64; graduated 49; graduation rate: 77% 2013: enrolled 67; graduated 53; graduation rate: 79% 3 year average graduation rate: 82 % Placement Rates Graduating year: 2011: graduated/licensed 52; employed in the field 45; placement rate 87% 2012: graduated/licensed 47; employed in the field 37; placement rate 79% 2013: graduated/licensed 45; employed in the field 40; placement rate 89% 3 year average placement rate: 85%
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The cost per credit hour is $208 (excludes textbooks, fees and sales tax). PSI is authorized by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV funding for qualified students. In order to apply for the Title IV funds, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) for that particular award year. The following are the most common used types of Title IV aid by PSI students: Federal Pell grant, subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. Non-title IV Financial Aid may be available for students who qualify and can include: Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), Industrial Rehabilitation, Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Veterans Benefits and Ohio National Guard. The Academic Competitiveness Grant is available for those who qualify. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information at PSI’s website (www.proskills.com), or calling 1 419 720 6670.
Student life
The typical student at PSI is a non traditional college student who wants career education and to be immediately marketable following graduation. Most of the PTA students have family and work commitments as well as the added academic and attendance obligations of school. PSI is located on a bus line, on a ten-acre campus with a large student parking area, plenty of grassy areas for relaxing breaks, and quiet study areas inside the building. A large student lounge is conducive to the development of student community. PSI supports the belief that by providing a stimulating learning environment, by treating every student as an individual, by assisting the student with his/her hope and dream of becoming a physical therapist assistant, by maintaining high quality classroom presentations, by tutoring, by counseling and guiding, by monitoring academics and attendance progress throughout the program, PSI will produce a well rounded, entry-level physical therapist assistant.