General Program Description
The PTA program is a 2-year full time program incorporating classroom lecture and lab work, as well as defined clinical experiences. There is also the option of a part-time/evening program that requires 2 and 1/2 years to complete. For specific information contact the program.
Clinical Experiences
Students complete a full-time, 4-week clinical at the end of the junior year and two full-time clinical experiences at the end of the senior year. Clinical sites include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, sports medicine facilities and other medical facilities. All internships are supervised by a clinical instructor from the clinical site’s physical therapy staff. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the clinical sites. Students must successfully complete each internship prior to continuation in the PTA program. All clinical experiences are full time, typically during the day only.
Faculty
There are 4 full-time faculty members. There are two physical therapists and two physical therapist assistants who hold full time faculty status. All full-time faculty members are encouraged to remain in clinical practice. All adjunct faculty are practicing clinicians.
Enrollment
The program has a total potential enrollment of 36 students per entering day class and 14 per entering evening class. Transfer students are accepted, with no preference given to in-state residents.
Admission
The application process has a priority deadline in March (for the entering fall cohort) and October (for the entering January cohort) and only completed application files will be reviewed. Students are accepted for their freshman year. The following prerequisite course work is required: high school courses to include 2 years of algebra, geometry, and biology (or a second year of science) with earned grades of a C or better. A minimum Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 900 is required for tests taken after April 1, 1995. Scores for SATs prior to April 1, 1995 require a minimum combined score of 800. In addition, a written essay, 10 hours of volunteer experience in the physical therapy field, and a letter of recommendation are required. Accepted students must demonstrate math proficiency at the MATH 113 level and complete the college placement examination in English and reading above the developmental level. Students without the prerequisites are required to complete preparatory course work before admission to the program. Students may not transfer credits for physical therapy courses, however, general education courses may be transferred for credit. Once accepted to the program, students are also required to have a physical examination, chest x-ray, PPD test, hepatitis B vaccine, criminal background check, child abuse clearance and proof of current CPR certification. Students interested in matriculating into the evening division must have the following pre-requisite courses completed: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, College Math and Medical Terminology.
Outcomes
81.4% of students who entered the program in Fall 2010 graduated in May 2012 (or within 150% of time from matriculation). (The 3 year average graduation rate for 2010-2012 is 78.8% for the day cohort; the 2 year average graduation rate for the evening cohort for 2011-2012 is 82.3%). Average attrition varies from year to year for many reasons. Historically, the highest attrition rates occur during the first semester of course work/pre-requisite courses. The total percentage of candidates in the graduating day and evening classes who took the NPTE licensure exam and passed (3 year first time pass rate for 2010-2012, based on FSBPT reports) was 87.6%, the ultimate pass rate for these years was 96.9%. The employment rate for graduates who have sought employment as PTAs (3 year average, as reported to program by graduates) is 100%.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the academic year 2013-2014 is $10,250 per semester. Part time students pay $655/credit. Room and board is an additional $4,390 per semester. Several scholarships are awarded and financial aid is available to students who qualify.
Student life
Dormitories are available on campus. The campus is located in suburban Philadelphia, a delightful setting with many other colleges located nearby. The campus is serviced by convenient public transportation.