General Program Description
The PTA program is a two-year, integrated curriculum. The program consists of lectures, labs and clinical experiences. Daytime lectures, labs and clincal affiliations are scheduled continuously through the fall and spring semesters. Typically, students attend classes 5 days each week. Lectures are scheduled in the morning; labs are available in the morning or afternoon. Clinical experiences begin in the first semester of instruction. For further information, you may send an e-mail to: [email protected]
Clinical Experiences
All students affiliate in a variety of clinic settings that may include acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, school systems and extended care facilities. Students complete one clinical experience in the first year and two clinical experiences in the second year. All clinical education classes are full-time, 40 hour per week assignments. Most clinical experiences are within the service area of the college.
Faculty
There are three full-time faculty, one full-time PTA, and several adjunct faculty. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:19.
Enrollment
The Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) serves over 60,000 students in credit courses and another 19,000 in non-credit courses. The student population is an extremely diverse group of individuals from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Approximately thirty students are accepted into the physical therapist assistant program for each first-year class. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to residents of political subdivisions supporting the college.
Admission
Requirements include: Grade of B or better in Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, and English Composition; 2.5 GPA; satisfactory TEAS scores; 4 hours of clinical observation; and attendance at a PTA Program Information Session. Applications are accepted from March 1 until March 15.
Outcomes
70.6% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). 100% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average). 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed (2-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
In-state tuition for Fall 2014 is $161.75 for in-state students and $359.00 for out-of-state students. The approximate cost of the entire educational program for in state students is $14,172 including tuition, books and supplies. Financial aid is available to students based upon demonstrated need.
Student life
Northern Virginia Community College is a commuter-based community college serving the counties of northern Virginia and the metropolitan Washington, DC area. In August 2003 NVCC opened a new Medical Education Campus. The Medical Education Campus is located in Springfield, VA. All Allied Health programs, including the PTA Program, are located at the Medical Education Campus.