General Program Description

The physical therapist assistant program is offered as a daytime program which is designed to be completed within five consecutive semesters. The program utilizes a modified problem based approach with lecture and lab components integrated throughout the first four semesters. To ease the educational experience non-core coursework can be completed prior to admission to the PTA program. Should extenuating circumstances occur, and a student requires additional time to complete the core of the program, permission from the program chair is necessary.

Clinical Experiences
Three separate clinical experiences occur during the PTA program. The first and second experiences occur in the third and fourth semesters, respectively. The first two clinical courses cover a fifteen week period each consisting of two full days per week. The final clinical experience is five full days per week for six weeks. The program offers a wide variety of clinical sites; including pediatrics, rehabilitation units, orthopedics, sports medicine centers, long term care facilities, general hospitals, etc., located within a seventy five minute drive from the student’s home.

Faculty
The faculty consists of three full-time and one part time member. Three faculty members are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty to student ratios are: lecture 1:24, lab 1:12, and clinical experiences 1/2:1.

Enrollment
Total enrollment for Orange County Community College is approximately 6,700 students, 50% of which are full-time enrolled. Each fall the physical therapist assistant program accepts twenty four students from a pool of approximately 60 applicants. Each cohort demonstrates diversity in educational level, life experience and originates from neighboring counties and states including New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Approximately 30% of the students in the program are transfer students.

Admission
Application to the PTA program must be made by February 1. Although the program is able to accept recent graduates from accredited secondary schools or students who possess a General Equivalency Diploma, consideration is made for students who have completed additional credit bearing courses which would count toward the general education portion of their program requirements. Acceptance is based on a combination of GPA and number of completed credits toward the program as well as completion of all additional Admission requirements. In addition, 16 hours of observation of a physical therapist professional with a written essay pertaining to the observation experience is required as a portion of the Admission process. A current and complete listing of Admission requirements can be located at http://www.sunyorange.edu/admissions/ .

Outcomes
72% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average 2010-2012); 88% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average 2010-2012); and 100% of graduates seeking immediate employment report they are employed within 3 months (3-year average). In addition, each graduating year several students indicate their desire to and pursue additional collegiate education in the health professions fields.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Full-time New York State resident tuition is $2,200.00 per semester, or $183.00 per credit hour. Full-time non-resident tuition is $4,400.00 per semester, or $366.00 per credit hour. Additional College fees total between $475.00 – $605.00 per semester. Tuition and fees are subject to change. For a complete listing of college tuition and fees please contact the Bursar’s Office at (845) 341 – 4830. Financial Aid and scholarships are available to both full and part time students. For a complete listing of financial aid resources and scholarship opportunities through the college please contact the Financial Aid Office at (845) 341 – 4190.

Student life
Orange County Community College, located in the mid-Hudson region, is a part of the State University of New York State system. The college is a commuter college with two campuses in Orange County; a main campus in Middletown and a branch campus in Newburgh with several additional extension centers within the county. The Middletown campus which houses the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is situated on a former 37 acre estate featuring beautiful and picturesque grounds and several turn-of-the-century buildings. Campuses are located convenient to the counties of Dutchess, Rockland, Westchester, Sullivan and Ulster as well as to northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Office of Student Activities provides active programming on both campuses and coordinates the development of programs and co-curricular experiences to foster student learning and enrich the quality of campus life and the collegiate experience. Programs are designed to complement the academic curriculum and enhance the educational experience of the students through the involvement in social, cultural, intellectual, recreational, and governance programs. Student Activities maintains a multitude of diverse clubs on campus including the PTA Club open to those students both interested in physical therapy and within the PTA program.