General Program Description
The program is an inclusive 2-year program. Two full time faculty members and three professional adjunct instructors are employed by the program. Graduation is in July each year after completion of 5 semesters of didactic and clinical work.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical experience is provided in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, schools, private practices, and nursing homes.
Faculty
Bill Carroll, MPT – Director/Full Time Instructor Jeri Hobday, PT – Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education/Full Time Instructor Kendal Repass, PTA, ATC – Adjunct Instructor Terrie Bengs, PT – Adjunct Instructor David Hoegh, PT – Adjunct Instructor
Enrollment
Total enrollment at the college is 2,600. The physical therapist assistant program admits 16 students each fall. All transfer students are considered equally.
Admission
Admission is by a selection committee. Application packets are available October 1. The application deadline is February 1 for the following fall semester. All students must complete the admission process for Carl Albert State College, including the ACT college entrance test. Applicants must also complete the form for admission to the associate in applied science in PTA program, the Health Survey form, and provide an official copy of high school and college transcripts. For more detailed information regarding admission requirements and procedures, contact the Allied Health Sciences Office.
Outcomes
2010-2012, the CASC PTA Education program has had a 93% (38/41) pass rate on the NPTAE licensure exam.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The average cost of tuition and fees for the technical portion of the program for the 2013-14 academic year was approximately $118.60/credit hour for in-state students and $218.60/credit hour for out-of-state students. (Out-of-state tuition is waived after completion of enrollment). Book costs were approximately $500 per semester. Many types and forms of scholarships are available to students at Carl Albert State College. Funding for scholarships is provided by individuals and by civic and professional groups as well as by the college itself. The college participates in several federally and state sponsored financial aid programs. More detailed information may be obtained from the Student Financial Aid Office.
Student life
Carl Albert State College offers a wide range of activities allowing students to develop worthwhile skills and express their talents. Through participation in planning campus activities, each student has an opportunity to make a unique contribution. This involvement also enhances each student’s personal development. The college is situated in Poteau, Oklahoma, near the confluence of the Poteau and Arkansas Rivers in what is known as the state’s “Green Country”. Standing on the campus, one can look to the south and see the Kiamichi and Winding Stair Mountain ranges. To the north lie the historic Cookson Hills and the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The area is a mecca for residents and tourists seeking opportunities to fish, hunt, water ski, camp, hike, and utilize equestrian trails. Fort Smith, Arkansas, a metropolitan center of approximately 80,000, is a 35-mile drive to the northeast over major US and state highways. Poteau, population 7,210, is the LeFlore County seat and has been named one of “The 100 Best Small Towns in America”. Principal income for the residents of the area comes from farming-ranching operations, industry, mines, and professional and service occupations.