General Program Description

The PTA program is a traditional two-year program. Students are admitted annually and complete two years (August-May) of academic and clinical education course work. The sequence is predetermined and must be done on a full-time basis. Currently, there is no part-time option. The sequence allows for the fulfillment of group requirements within the sequence, ie, English. The students graduate in May of the second year. The program has six part-time faculty members including both PTs and PTAs and currently has two full-time faculty members. Students average 3-4 days, 16-20 hours, on campus depending on the term.

Clinical Experiences
In the first year, students visit selected clinical sites for observational experiences. Three 8-week clinical internships are conducted during the second year. All students complete a general hospital or inpatient experience and an outpatient experience. The third clinical internship varies according to availability of clinical facilities. The clinical experiences occur in a five-county area.

Faculty
There are two full-time and six part-time faculty members. All faculty are engaged in clinical practice. The full time faculty-to-student ratio is 1:32. Lab classes have a faculty to student ration of 1:16.

Enrollment
Macomb Community College is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public institution. The physical therapist assistant program is conducted at the Center Campus and has a total enrollment of 64 students, 32 per class.

Admission
Admission to the program is selective and is based on grade point average and COMPASS test scores. Application should be made by February 15TH for admission to the program that begins the following August. Applicants must be graduated from an accredited secondary school or have a General Equivalency Diploma and have a minimum of 40 volunteer or observation hours under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. No preference regarding residency status is given. Approximately 200 applicants seek the 30 student positions. Advance transfer students (students from another PTA program) are accepted if they meet Macomb Community College’s (MCC) PTA program requirements. Students must complete anatomy and physiology prior to the fall term. 40 % of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).

Outcomes
80% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The 2011-12 (estimated) average yearly cost for tuition and books is approximately $3,000. To be considered for financial aid, the student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarships, grants, and loans are available on the basis of need and availability. For more information, please contact the college financial aid office.

Student life
Macomb Community College is acknowledged for its commitment to provide academic excellence for all students. It also takes great pride in treating the student as an individual, which is evident in the many academic and personal support services available on each campus.The College maintains a vigorous Student Activites Department which provides a rich variety of student activites including recreation, community service and athletics.