General Program Description
The program consists of a variety of courses that include physical therapy theory and practice as well as supporting courses from general education. There are 2.3 full time faculty members plus adjunct instructors that teach in the program. The program is offered at the Newport County Campus and is a full-time day program. It is required that students maintain a 2.5 or better grade point average (GPA) with at least a C in required courses. Each cohort is accepted to start in September and graduation is in May.
Clinical Experiences
Second-year students have three 6-week full-time clinical experiences. The facilities providing clinical education are located primarily in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Settings include inpatient, outpatient, acute care, rehabilitation, pediatrics, private practice, nursing home, womens’ health and home care. Students are assigned to participate in three clinical settings that must include one inpatient and one outpatient experience.
Faculty
There are 2.3 full-time faculty members and a full time laboratory manager. Supplemental Instructors are provided for laboratory sessions to assist “at risk” students, This allows for faculty to student ratio of 1:8 in the lab courses.
Enrollment
Total enrollment approximates 17,000 students in the Community College. The PTA program accepts 24 students per year for the Fall semester.
Admission
The minimum requirements to apply to the PTA Program include completion of an application to the college and submission of a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. They must complete Accuplacer testing for Reading Proficiency or complete ENGL 0890: Reading Comprehension; the Accuplacer English Proficiency or English 1005, and Math Proficiency at the 0500 level. There are three preadmission course requirements: PHTA 1000, Introduction to the Physical Therapist Assistant, RHAB 1010: Medical Terminology, and Biology 1010, Human Anatomy. These must be completed with a minimum grade of C. There is a performance-based application process for students wishing to enter the PTA Program. The process recognizes academic achievement and ranks applicants relative to their overall GPA, their GPA for the preadmission courses, grades in the preadmission courses, reading placement score, and the number of required general education courses completed at the time the application is submitted. This application process is described on the CCRI website www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/ and on the Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences website. PTA Transfer students should also submit a course syllabus for PTA courses from the college they are transferring from to determine if the content for PTA courses completed is equivalent to PTA courses offered at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). Students wishing to transfer must pass Challenge Examinations with 75% or better to receive transfer credits for PTA technical coursework. An official transcript must be sent to Admissions for evaluation of general education courses for transfer.
Outcomes
90% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average 2012-2014) in the expected two year timeframe. 98% of graduates pass the licensure examination (3-year average 2011-2013). 94% of the licensed graduates are employed (3-year average 2011-2013).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The 2012-2013 full-time (12-18 credits) tuition per semester is $1975 including fees for Rhode Island residents and $5291 including fees for nonresidents. Books average $200-400per semester. The PTA Club and APTA membership are optional. Financial Aid information is available at all campus sites and on the website www.ccri.edu.
Student life
CCRI is a commuter school, but offers many day and evening sporting events, cultural and educational events and opprtunities for students. Individuals who are interested in attending CCRI events but require special accommodations because of a disability should contact the Director of Affirmative Action. Community College of Rhode Island does not discriminate in admissions, services, or employment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, or handicap.