General Program Description

Clinical Experiences
Students participate in three clinical educational experiences provided in a variety of settings in southwestern Pennsylvania and the bordering states. These experiences are arranged throughout the curriculum and are a total of 20 weeks in length.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty, one laboratory instructor, and multiple guest speakers. One of the full-time faculty is engaged in clinical practice. The faculty to student ratio is 1:14.
Enrollment
There are over 3,000 students enrolled at the college. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is able to admit 30 students each Fall.
Admission
Admission to the PTA program is selective. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis up until the start of classes in August or until the class is full. Basic requirements include a high school degree or GED, a minimum GPA (high school and/or college) of 2.5, at least 20 hours of volunteer or work experience in at least one physical therapy setting, and two references (one from a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and another from an employer or academician). The strength of the applicant is based upon high school or college GPA, amount of and GPA of prerequisite courses, amount of and quality of volunteer or related experience, and the two letters of recommendation. Program courses begin in the first fall semester. The PTA program is currently 69 credits. In Pennsylvania, PTAs must successfully pass the state examination to become registered to practice under the supervision of a physical therapist.
Outcomes
Attrition is variable from year to year, with attrition rates being highest in the first year. This is primarily due to the failure of prerequisite or non-PTA course (ie- Anatomy and Physiology). Of the students who successfully complete prerequisite and non-PTA courses, over 90% successfully graduate. Of those graduates, 90%-95% pass the state licensing examination. Over the past three years, every student who has taken the State Board examination has passed the examination and become licensed. 100% of those licensed individuals attained work within two to three months following licensure.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition is $74 per credit (including fees) for Butler County residents and many surrounding counties (including fees), $137 per credit (including fees) for Pennsylvania residents who reside in another county that has another community college, $118 per credit (including fees) for Pennsylvania residents in other counties that do not have another community college, and $200 per credit (including fees) for out or state or international students. The cost for books, liability insurance, APTA membership, and various miscellaneous costs while in the PTA Program total approximately $1500-$1600. For information regarding the availability of financial assistance, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 724-287-8711 extension 8329.
Student life
Butler County Community College is located on over 300 wooded acres in southwestern Pennsylvania. There are additionally several other branch campuses in the neighboring counties. The PTA Program is located on the main campus in Butler, which is approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. The college has over 16 buildings including a library and field house. Free academic counseling is available. Butler County Community College does not offer on-campus housing. Local rental housing is available. A wide variety of social, academic, and professional organizations are available at BCCC, including an active PTA Club. Student involvement in the professional organization is encouraged through attendance at district and chapter meetings and service opportunities.