General Program Description

The PTA program at ASU operates on a 1+1 academic model. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to admission to the professional program. The program is 1 year in length. Students enter in the summer semester and graduate at the end of the following spring semester. There are 27 weeks of classroom work (summer 10 weeks, fall 12 weeks and spring 5 weeks) and 16 weeks of full-time clinical experience (fall 5 weeks, spring 11 weeks).

Clinical Experiences
Each student is required to successfully complete 16 weeks of clinical education to earn the Associate in Applied Science degree from ASU. Three full-time clinical experiences are divided among a variety of clinical locations (approximately 100 sites available). Specific information about clinical selection is made available after admissions to the professional phase of the program.

Faculty
There are 2.5 full-time faculty members.

Enrollment
Current total enrollment at Arkansas State University (ASU) is just over 11,000 students. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program enrolls up to 30 students, one time each year.

Admission
Students are encouraged to declare themselves as PTA majors while completing prerequisite courses on the ASU campus. A total of 25 prerequisite hours are required to be satisfactorily completed before admission to the professional phase of the program: MATH 1023 College Algebra, ENG 1003 Composition I, ENG 1013 Composition II, BIO 2201/2203 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, PTA 1013 Making Connections in Physical Therapy, One of the following: PHYS 2133 Survey of Physics for Health Professions or PHYS 2054 General Physics I, One of the following: POSC 2103 American Government, HIST 2763 U.S. History I, or HIST 2773 U.S. History II, One of the following: CS 1013 Introduction to Computers or CIT 1503 Microcomputer Applications. The application process is competitive and requires the student to complete a current application packet that can be downloaded from the web site or requested directly by contacting the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Applicants who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree may not have to fulfill some specific general education course requirements. Deadline for applications is April 1 of each year.

Outcomes
94% of admitted students graduated from the program (3-year average); 94% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average); and 100% of program graduates are employed (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Estimated cost for the professional phase of the program is $13,000 for Arkansas residents. This estimate includes all academic expenses except for housing and clinical education. Information regarding fees for room and board is dependent upon specific meal plans and may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. Ample private housing is available in the community at a modest cost. Financial assistance is coordinated through the Financial Aid Office, PO Box 1620, State University, AR 72467. Information about available scholarships may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Student life
Physical therapist assistant students have many opportunities to become active citizens of the university and community. The Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) is involved in many social, academic and community service activities. Pre-PTA students may also be members of the PTSA. Arkansas State University is located in northeast Arkansas, close to the Ozark Mountains and 60 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. The state has many lakes, parks and special attractions that contribute to an attractive lifestyle.