General Program Description
The PTAT program is an integrated two-year, five-semester curriculum. Total semester hours are 70 with general courses combining for 32 and technical courses for 38 hours. Many students admitted into the program have already completed their general courses and only have the PTA courses left to complete. Students spend 10-20 hours per week in the technical PTA classes. Classes begin the last week of August and graduation occurs in May.
Clinical Experiences
The PTAT program starts clinical experiences with the first semester of the sophomore year. The student spends 2 full days each week at two different practices during the fall semester. The spring semester includes two full-time, 5-week clinical rotations or one full-time 10 week clinical rotation. Students are offered varied experiences in private practice, acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, etc, so that as many facets of the physical therapy experience as possible are observed. Most of the clinical sites are in the northeast Ohio area. The program attempts to keep clinical sites within one hour driving time from the college. Some clinical sites require specific health requirements, including immunizations, drug screenings and/or criminal background checks.
Faculty
There are currently four full-time and four part-time faculty members. Two full-time faculty and all part-time faculty are engaged in clinical practice. The core faculty-to-student ratio is approximately 1:16, and the faculty to student laboratory ratio is approximately 1:7.
Enrollment
The enrollment for Stark State College is approximately 8,000. The physical therapist assistant program accepts up to 38 students each fall semester.
Admission
The admission process is based upon rolling admissions. Applications to the program may be submitted at any time. Each class is filled with qualified applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. To be eligible for admission the applicant must have graduated from an accredited secondary school or have a GED and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (based upon 12 hours minimum). Additional requirements are: 50 volunteer hours accrued from two or more physical therapy departments (must be completed within the two years prior to application); a year of high school/semester of college biology and algebra (with C or better); and the “COMPASS Test” given by Stark, which determines whether the student will need to take remedial courses. The total semester hours in the curriculum is 70. The PTAT program accepts transfer credit of non-technical courses only (with a C or better). The average age of recently admitted students is approximately 27 years old. The age of recently admitted students has ranged from 18 to 49 years old. Typically females comprise 60-70% of admitted students.
Outcomes
62% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). Reasons for not graduating include: change of major; personal issues (family, health, moved, etc.) and academic difficulties. 97% of the program graduates passed the licensure exam on the first attempt (3-year average). 98% of the program graduates who responded to surveys are employed as a Physical Therapist Assistant within 6 months of becoming eligible (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The tuition and general fee cost per credit hour is $127.00. There are a total of 70 credit hours within the two-year curriculum. Additional program costs for health and liability insurance, health requirements, background check, photo ID, parking passes, lab and clinical fees are approximately $400-$600 yearly. Extra expenses might result from the clinical experiences. These include, but might not be limited to, transportation costs, lodging, meals and professional attire. Students in Ohio and at Stark State College may receive financial aid through the Ohio Instructional Grants, Pell Grants, and Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grants. College work-study programs, guaranteed student loans, and the Stark State College Alumni Association Scholarships also are available. The process is started by completing a Financial Aid Form from the high school guidance office or the financial aid office.
Student life
Stark State College is a commuter college and does not provide housing for its students. The PTAT program has attracted students from around the state as well as West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Housing can be obtained in close proximity to the campus. The program is housed primarily in one interconnected building and shares a library with the Stark branch of Kent State University, with which it also shares a campus. There is a city bus available, but most students will need transportation for commuting to classes as well as to clinical sites.