General Program Description
This is a 5-semester associate degree program, which consists of a combination of class lecture, lab experience and clinical experiences. One class per year is admitted to the program. Matriculation is in August. Students spend approximately 15 hours a week in the classroom during the first year, and approximately 21 hours a week during the second year.
Clinical Experiences
There are three clinical experiences during the program. The first is a 4-week, full-time rotation which is offered in the summer after successfully completing 2 semesters of classroom and lab coursework. The second and third clinical experiences are offered during the last semester of the program. The student spends the final 13 weeks in two different clinic settings.
Faculty
There are three full-time and one part-time faculty members. The faculty to student ratio is 1:16.
Enrollment
College enrollment is approximately 10,000 students. Founded in 1898 as a Black college, today the ethnic mix of the college is 51% Hispanic, 29% white, 17% black and 3% other. Female students slightly outnumber male students. The PTA program accepts 24 students each fall semester. Most of the student population (93%) is from Bexar County, south Texas.
Admission
All students must satisfy the TASP requirements (Texas Academic Skills Program) prior to being considered for admission. Part of the application process is completion of the HESI exam. It is a standardized test that assesses the student’s reading comprehension, basic math skills, basic understanding of anatomy, and critical thinking. A minimum of 40 hours of volunteer or work experience in the physical therapy field is required as part of the application process. The deadline for fall admission is March 31. Students are informed of admission in late spring.
Outcomes
The State Board Pass Rate: Graduating class of 2008: 21/23, or 91% Graduating class of 2009: 18/20, or 90% Graduation class of 2010: 22/22, or 100% Graduation class of 2011: 19/20, or 95% The Retention Rate for: Graduation Class of 2008= 21/24, or 88% Graduation Class of 2009 =21/24, or 88% Graduation Class of 2010 = 22/25, or 88% Graduation Class of 2011 = 23/26, or88%
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The average cost for in-district students (Bexar County) is approximately $1,575 per semester for tuition. Tuition per semester is approximately $2300 for out-of-district students and $4600 for non-Texas residents. The cost of books is approximately $200 per semester. Loans and grants are available to students who qualify.
Student life
St Philip’s College is located on 20 acres, 3 miles east of downtown San Antonio. San Antonio has excellent public transportation. Parking is available for a fee. There are five military bases and several other colleges and universities in the metropolitan area. San Antonio is among the largest cities in Texas. The city is rich in cultural and social activities. St Philip’s is located 6 miles from the airport, 3 hours from Mexico, 3 hours from the Gulf of Mexico, and 1 hour from the Texas Hill Country. On-campus housing is not available.