General Program Description
The Murray State College PTA program accepts students in the second year of the program from the pool of qualified applicants. Interested students complete a minimum of one semester of prerequisite courses prior to applying to the technical portion of the PTA program. The application process begins in the Fall of each each when the dates of the application orientation classes are posted on the program web site: www.mscah.org The entire program can be completed in 5 academic semesters.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences include observational experiences, a 4-week practicum after the first full time academic semester of the technical year and two 6-week experiences after the completion of all academic requirements. Students complete all requirements of the program by the end of August and are prepared at that time to take the NPTE for the PTA.
Faculty
The program has two full-time faculty members and one part time faculty. The faculty-to-student ratio is low (1:8) with no more than 1:20 at any time. The program director has been with the program since the program began and is a certified clinical specialist. Both full-time faculty members are active members of the APTA and and have completed APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor training. The faculty believes that active clinical practice is necessary to maintain skills and both maintain clinical practice activities on a part time basis.
Enrollment
Murray State College has a long history of meeting student needs and is a growing small college. Over 2,500 students are served in a given semester. The PTA program has graduated a class each year since 1997.
Admission
To qualify for admission to the second year of the PTA Program all potential applicants must meet Murray State College admission requirements, as well as specific program requirements. Requirements for application include a minimum ACT composite score of 19, two years of high school laboratory science, a grade point average of at least 2.5 on any completed college course work, be able to meet the physical and mental requirements of the role required of a PTA, and attend a PTA Admission Class conducted by the PTA Program Director. These classes consist of approximately 1 hour orientation to the application process and are held several times during September and October of each year. It is during this orientation to the application process that potential applicants receive application instructions. In addition, applicants must complete a minimum of 16 hours of observation of a PT or PTA in a clinical facility that provides physical therapy. Additional points are provided for additional documented observation experience with the average student accepted having 48 total hours. Applicants should complete a PTA Application and submit it to the PTA Program Office prior to the third Friday in November. Students are encouraged to contact the program director with any questions. Additional information regarding admission is available on the program web site. See the PTA Program web page: www.mscah.org
Outcomes
For the most recent three class years (11, 12, & 13) the following information is provided: Ninety-eight percent (98%) of students who begin the Fall Semester of the technical year of the PTA program during these three years successfully completed the PTA program. Eighty-four percent (84%) of students who were offered an initial position in a class during these three years entered the Fall Semester. Graduates over this period have a 91.6% first time pass rate and a 100% ultimate pass rate on the NPTE licensure examination. Graduates report high job satisfaction (> 90%) on graduate surveys. Supervising PTs and employers report graduates performing at appropriate entry level (>96%) and that they would hire a graduate from the MSC PTA program again.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Students who attend MSC for the entire five to six semesters of the program will pay approximately $13,500. The cost of the technical phase of the program, which includes the second year and clinical experiences, is approximately $8,500. This includes books, fees, and supplies. Housing or transportation costs involved during clinical experiences are not included in these cost estimates. Students in the PTA program may qualify to receive financial assistance that is coordinated through the Financial Aid Office. For more information contact the MSC Financial Aid Office at 580/371-2371, extension 143. Program costs along with other information is subject to change and is published on the program web page.
Student life
MSC provides comprehensive 2-year, postsecondary educational programs. Emphasis is placed on technical and occupational education as well as general education for those students who plan to transfer to baccalaureate level programs through other colleges or universities. Tishomingo is a relatively small town within a 1-hour drive to the three mid-size towns of Ada, Ardmore, and Durant in south central Oklahoma. The college is located close to Lake Texoma, Lake Murray, and many outdoor activity areas. More information regarding the college and student life can be found at the MSC web page http://www.mscok.edu. Link to the PTA Program page is found under the academics menu under applied science programs.