General Program Description

The program begins in the fall semester and runs 4 semesters in length. Specialized physical therapy courses begin in the first semester. The 2-year curriculum of the PTA program is designed to develop technical knowledge and skills, and background information for understanding in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, disease processes, psychological and interpersonal relations. Emphasis is placed on ethical and legal aspects of the field. In the first semester, students earn CPR certification (AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers) as well as training in universal precautions and first aid. One full semester of the program is supervised practice in two selected clinical settings. The graduate of this program qualifies for the national licensing exam and subsequently for licensure in any state in the U.S.

Clinical Experiences
Clinic-based learning experiences are an integral component of the program. First-semester students are introduced to the physical therapy clinic through three half-day experiences in different local facilities, mostly outpatient and rehabilitation centers. Third-semester students integrate a 50-hour clinical experience with theoretical coursework. The fourth semester is spent almost entirely in two different clinical experiences, each 7-8 weeks in length.

Faculty
There are currently two full-time and one adjunct faculty members. All three have completed the doctor of physical therapy degree, and all are engaged in clinical practice. The core faculty to student ratio is 1:15.

Enrollment
The college has a fall semester enrollment of about 7000 students in both the Day School and the School of Continuing Education. The PTA Program currently has an enrollment of 31 in both classes in 2014. It enrolls up to 18 students from an applicant pool of over 100 in 2014. Transfer students are accepted.

Admission
While the college has an open enrollment policy, applications for the physical therapist assistant program are accepted by April 1 for admission in the following fall. Minimum requirements for consideration include a high school diploma or GED, and high school level chemistry, biology, algebra 2, with no grade lower than a B, and four years of English with no grade lower than a C. Pre-requisites include Anatomy & Physiologyand medical terminology; applicants must demonstrate competency in basic computers and research skills. In addition, it is recommended that the candidate for admission score around 450 on each (verbal and math) section of the SAT 1 exam. The SAT criteria may be waived for applicants who meet certain requirements. An applicant who is lacking any required courses must complete them prior to the application deadline for the program. Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to physical therapy by documenting at least 12 hours of observation or work in two different physical therapy settings. Documentation of such activity should be submitted with required application materials. Applicants should be aware that this is a physically demanding occupation, often requiring lifting and supporting heavy patients. Good communication skills, both oral and written, are essential to effective functioning as a PTA. All accepted students must undergo an annual Criminal Offender Record Information check. Depending on the findings, the student may not be allowed to continue in the program of study.

Outcomes
The STCC PTA program admits 18 students each fall semester out of an average applicant pool of 120; the acceptance rate is generally 16%. The average graduation rate over the past three years is 65%. Of the graduates who took the National PTA Licensure Examination in the past three years, 100% have passed. The program administers student clinical performance assessments, graduate opinion surveys, employer surveys and aggregate data from the National PTA Licensure Examination to assess the effectiveness of the program. For the calendar years 2011 – 2013, 100% of the graduates who sought employment have reported they were able to secure a position within six months of graduation. Some graduates choose to continue their education and do not seek employment.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition and fees for the academic year 2013-14 vary according to credit, residence status, and health insurance needs. For the class which graduated in 2014, total tuition (67 credits) was approximately $1675 for state residents, and $16,214 for out-of-state. Health insurance (if the student does not have coverage) and other fees total $9000 for state and out-of-state residents. School of Health lab fee, books and other costs can add about $3500 for two years. The Financial Aid Office is available to assist in financial planning for students who would otherwise be unable to attend college.

Student life
Springfield Technical Community College, a nationally-recognized pace-setting leader in technology education and instructional innovation, is a participating member in the Achieve the Dream initiative. This public 2-year technical community college offers a wide variety of programs in technologies, health sciences, business and engineering. The college is located in the historic Old Armory Grounds, the nation’s first arsenal dating to 1789, and is close to downtown Springfield. The area is rich in cultural and educational offerings. Students will need transportation for the clinical components. This is a non-residential college; therefore, students will have to find their own accommodations.