General Program Description
The PTA program runs for five consecutive semesters beginning in the fall term. The curriculum is structured to develop from a firm base of general knowledge with each semester building upon previously learned skills and knowledge. Emphasis is on the development of caring, competent paraprofessionals who can meet the needs of each individual. A part-time track enrollment is available and students may aslo complete the program in 3 years, with a Pre Health degree major the first year. Student membership in the APTA is strongly encouraged. Second-year students may attend the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference or the APTA National Student Conclave. Commencement ceremonies are held in early May. Students are then eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Clinical Experiences
Each student completes three full-time clinical experiences. The first occurs during the summer term and is 4 weeks in length. Students return to the clinic during the last spring term for two 6-week experiences. Students may request clinical placements anywhere in the country. Students are placed according to their clinical needs, site availability, and their requests.
Faculty
There are two full-time faculty members and multiple adjunct faculty members. Faculty are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty-to-student ratios is 1:10 for labs and 1:24 for lectures..
Enrollment
The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville is the smallest campus in the Pitt system. Average enrollment is 400 full and part-time students.
Admission
To be eligible for admission to the PTA Program, the applicant must first be admitted to the University of Pittsburgh. The prospective student must be a high school graduate with a grade point average of 2.5, SAT score of 900 or have a GED score of at least 2500. Students must be prepared to take: Seminar in Composition (ENGCMP 0101) and Algebra (MATH 0031/0110). Students are also required to complete 40 hours of volunteer work in a physical therapy clinic and receive a favorable letter of recommendation by the end of the first fall semester. There are no state residency requirements. A maximum of 24 students is admitted for each class. 100% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).
Outcomes
The following outcomes are three-year averages. Based on the years 2011-2013, 67% of students admitted to the technical phase of the curriculum graduated from the program within 150% of the normally expected time frame. Based on the years 2011-2013, 88% of the program graduates passed the licensure examination. Based on the years 2011-2013, 83% of program graduates were employed as physical therapist assistants within 6 months of passing the licensure examination.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Full-time in-state tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year is $ 5,272 per term. Books, professional fees and lab expenses averaged approximately $ 792 per term. Dormitory rates are $2,578 per term based on double occupancy. The cost for board (19 meals per week) is $2,354 per term. Financial aid assistance is available from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid by calling 814-827-4472. There are many scholarships available exclusively for the Titusville campus.
Student life
The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville is located in beautiful rural Northwestern Pennsylvania where the first oil well was drilled. The campus is two hours north of Pittsburgh and one hour south of Erie, PA. Housing is available in two dormitories and townhouses on campus. Many activities and clubs are available on campus including the Student Physical Therapist Assistant Club.