General Program Description
The PTA program is a 1+1 configuration. The second year begins with the 10-week summer session in late May. All second-year courses must be completed in sequence. The program courses meet 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, four days per week, and clinical education courses meet 40 hours per week. Students enroll in the summer, fall, and spring semesters and graduate in May.
Clinical Experiences
During fall and spring semesters, students complete 15 weeks of full-time clinical education in three different rotations. Clinical sites are located in the middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky and northern Alabama. A variety of experiences are required. Travel to clinics is at student expense.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:16.
Enrollment
The college has a total enrollment of approximately 7,000 students. The physical therapist assistant program accepts 32 students (second-year). While approximately 70% of accepted students transfer some course work, few direct transfer students are admitted to the second year of the physical therapist assistant program.
Admission
The PTA program is a 1+1 configuration, with the first year of general education classes open to any student accepted to Volunteer State Community College (VSCC). Transfer students are welcome but must meet VSCC admissions standards. Applications for the second year of the program are available beginning January 15 of each year and are due by March 15. Testing in reading, writing, and algebra may be required. Students who have completed the first-year prerequisites may apply for the second year of the program in the spring semester. Interviews are held in May, with classes beginning in late May. For 2013 120 applications were received. The weighted grade point average (GPA) of students, based only on prerequisite courses, admitted for the past three years was 3.4 on a 4.0 system, with mathematics, biological and physical sciences counting most heavily in determining the GPA for admission. Students may enroll to complete the general education courses beginning in any semester. 30 percent of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).
Outcomes
92% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
For the 2013-2014 academic year, tuition for residents was $139.00 per credit or $1668 for 12 or more credit hours/semester. Non-residents paid $431 per credit or $5003 for 12 or more credit hours/semester. Books, fees and other expected costs, except for clinical travel, total approximately $850. Sixty percent of VSCC students and PTA students receive financial aid through the college. Some private funding is available for second-year students. The PTA program has a small scholarship fund to assist a limited number of students with books and supplies.
Student life
VSCC is a community college with no housing available on campus. Some PTA students work part time. Most students are from Gallatin, Nashville, or surrounding areas in middle TN. Several organizations provide activities for students during the daytime hours.