General Program Description
The length of the program is two years, consisting of four semesters for a total of 67-73 credits. Freshmen are admitted to the program in August. There are two semesters per year (fall and spring), and degrees are conferred in May. Graduates of the program are well prepared for employment in acute care settings with an emphasis in orthopedics.
Clinical Experiences
More than 150 hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice facilities, and nursing homes are available. Clinical requirements include: the first year in the second semester, Clinical Observation is accomplished (1/2 day per week); during the second year in the first semester, Clinical Education I is offered (1 day per week); also in the second year, in the second semester Clinical Education II is offered (5 days a week for 8 weeks); and Clinical Education III is offered (5 days per week for 8 weeks) in a variety of clinical settings and locations. Graduates of the program are well prepared for employment in acute care settings with an emphasis in orthopedics.
Faculty
There are two full-time and one part-time faculty members. Both full-time faculty have doctoral degrees in education and have been with the program since its inception. One of the full-time faculty is certified as a clinical specialist and two are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:20.
Enrollment
Total enrollment for Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is over 18,000, with non-traditional students of diverse cultures and ages. The application pool varies from year to year, however, annually the number of applicants exceed the 32 seats in the PTA Program with an average student age of 30.
Admission
A completed health career program application will be reviewed beginning October 1 for the upcoming fall semester. The following prerequisites are required for admission: a grade of C or higher in general biology with lab, 4 credits (anatomy and physiology may be substituted); high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma, grade point average of above 2.0 is required; 20 hours of volunteer or work experience in physical therapy; completion of all developmental course work; and an autobiographical sketch. For additional information, contact the Office of Admissions at (724) 325-6617. 95% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).
Outcomes
A three year average shows 66% of admitted students graduated from the program, 75% of graduates passed the registration examination, and 100% of those responding to graduate surveys are employed as PTA’s.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition is calculated at a full-time rate of 12 credits per semester. Allegheny County residents pay $80 per credit, or $2,184 per year. Pennsylvania residents pay $160 per credit, or $4,182 per year. Out-of-state residents pay approximately $240 per credit, or $6,180 per year. Lab fees are $10 per lab, health careers course fees are $16 per credit, college fees are $4.20, technology fees are $6.50, and malpractice insurance is $15 per semester. For information regarding financial aid contact: (724) 325-6602.
Student life
Boyce Campus is located in the eastern suburbs of Allegheny County about 15 miles from Pittsburgh’s culturally rich Golden Triangle, on a 120-acre plot adjacent to Boyce Park of Monroeville. Because Boyce is dedicated to serving the needs of the community and its citizens, the campus functions as a 2-year college, an evening college, a Saturday college, and a special-course college. The college is a commuter college with free student parking and plenty of off-campus rentals. Junior college intercollegiate athletics include: baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, volleyball, and softball. Student organizations include: biology, math, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, diagnostic medical sonography, engineering, and dance.