General Program Description

Clinical Experiences
First-year students have a once-a-week observation clinical visit for half the semester in various local clinics. At the onset of the second year, students participate in a 10-week, part-time clinical experience, as well as an observational pediatric clinical experience. Two full-time, seven-week experiences are completed in the final semester prior to graduation. Students will be assigned to a general hospital setting, orthopedics/sports medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, or long-term rehabilitation during the full-time affiliation.

Faculty
There are two full-time and four part-time faculty members. All faculty is engaged in clinical practice. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:16.

Enrollment
Union County College has a total enrollment of 4,000 full-time students and 5,000 part-time students on three campuses. The PTA program enrolls up to 32 students each year.

Admission
The PTA program is a two-year, five-semester course of full-time study composed of specialized courses in physical therapy, planned clinical training, and general education. During the first year, a background in biological and physical sciences is established with emphasis on anatomy. General education courses in communication skills and behavioral sciences are included in the curriculum. As the semesters progress, more time is allocated to the clinical application of physical therapy procedures that are learned in the classroom. Prerequisites for admission to the college as a liberal studies major include a high school diploma or equivalent, high school english, and biology. Also recommended are courses in chemistry, physics, and math. A passing grade in the New Jersey Basic Skills tests is also required. Due to limitations on enrollment, a separate admission process into the PTA program occurs in December of each year. Prerequisites include English Composition I, Anatomy and Physiology I , Algebra, General Psychology and Psychology of adulthood and Aging. Other general education courses that can be competed prior or while in the professional/clinical phase include english compostion II and Anatomy and Physiology II. The minimum grade point average required for admission to the program is a 2.5. 65% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).

Outcomes
87.76% of students who graduate from the program pass the liscensure board (3-year average). 100% of graduates who seek emplyment are employed as PTA’s in the healthcare setting.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2010-2011 academic year was approximately $100 per credit for Union County residents and $200 per credit for non-Union County residents. There is an additonal fee of $ 30 per credit to cover the technology, general and athletic and wellness fee. Some courses, including PTA courses, have an additional fee to defray expenses. For more information, contact the Office of Student Accounts at 908/709-7060. For information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 908/709-7141 or 908/412-3571.

Student life
Other health programs include EMT and Paramedic programs and Nursing. No on-campus housing is available. Union County College is a member of the Garden State Athletic Association and Region XIX of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Students in good academic standing may participate in baseball, women’s softball, and separate men and women’s teams in soccer, basketball, and tennis. Coed sports include cross-country and golf. Union County College is composed of three campuses in suburban Union County located 30 miles from Manhattan. The PTA program is located on the Plainfield Campus and is accessible by major roadways and public transportation. Within one hour’s drive, many cultural, educational, and recreational possibilities can be found.