General Program Description
The program is two academic years in length, clinical education is progressively integrated with the classroom for the first three semesters. During the last semester students come to the classroom for a seminar preceding and following their two (7) week clinical affiliations. The program consists of a total of 64.5 credits.
Clinical Experiences
PTA students perform formal physical therapy observations for 12 hours during the first semester and begin to develop a sense for the role of the physical therapist assistant in two different settings. During the second semester they are immersed into the clinical realm for 28 hours and commence patient contact. Three additional hours are spent observing at a local wheelchair clinic. Students enroll in PTA 202 during their third semester and are assigned to both inpatient and outpatient physical therapy services for a total of 42 hours. Second-year students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA overall and a minimum PTA major GPA of 2.50 in order to register for final semester clinical affiliations. Final semester clinical affiliations include two 7-week clinical experiences in different types of clinical sites. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical sites. No duplication of clinical sites is allowed. Active employment is strongly discouraged for students enrolled in the final semester of clinical practice.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members and three laboratory assistants. The faculty-to-student average ratio is 1:34.
Enrollment
Total enrollment for Lehigh Carbon Community College is approximately 7,500. The physical therapist assistant program accepts 36 students from an applicant pool of approximately 120 applicants. Of those candidates, approximately 80 are actually eligible and have complete application files.
Admission
Admission decisions are made once per year with a February 1st deadline. Classes begin in August. Admission requirements include earing a minimum 2.50 GPA, successful completion of high school algebra with at least a B grade, college assessment tests, including a biology assessment test, and the TEAS V – AH Test, a minimum of 16 hours documented exposure to physical therapy in at least two different types of clinical settings, and a personal interview with the program admissions committee. High school biology, chemistry, and physics are recommended. 45% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).
Outcomes
74.9% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). 96.5% of LCCC PTA graduates passed the national licensure examination on their first attempt in years 2011 – 2013. 100% of graduates seeking employment as a PTA are successful (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The 2014-2015 in-district annual tuition is $3,000, and the out-of-state tuition is $9,000. Annual student fees are approximately $580. Other program costs include books, APTA membership, health insurance, malpractice insurance, physicals, blood titres, immunizations, urine drug testing, CertifiedBackground uploading of documents, PA state criminal check, FBI check, child abuse history clearance, uniforms, and transportation to clinical sites and local American Physical Therapy Association meetings. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 610-799-1133 for information regarding student aid.
Student life
Lehigh Carbon Community College is located in a suburban/rural setting off Route 309, 10 miles north of Allentown. The campus is home to many local, regional, and international students studying in both transfer and technical degree programs. Campus activities include intercollegiate and intramural athletics, as well as various clubs and honor societies. The physical therapist assistant club is one of the most active on campus. In addition to the PTA program, the college’s health care science programs include: Medical Assisting, Occupational Therapy Assisting, Health Information Technology, and Practical and Registered Nursing. The Lehigh Valley is known for its numerous college campuses and its central location to the Poconos, the Jersey Shore, and metropolitan New York and Philadelphia. A public transportation service is available.