General Program Description
The Physical Therapist Assistant program consists of 3.5 semesters of Physical Therapist Assistant technical course work and labs. General education prerequisite course work plus two PTA courses are completed prior to beginning the technical portion of the program. The curriculum is student-centered, integrating technology and e-Education.
Clinical Experiences
Theoretical and clinical experiences in tandem enhance the relation of theory to practice. Clinical experience is provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, care centers, private practice, rehabilitation agencies, and schools. Clinical experiences are one full-time for 5 weeks in the summer term with two full-time 7-week internships in the final fall semester.
Faculty
There are two full-time and three part-time/adjunct faculty members. The full-time faculty members are physical therapists and are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty to student ratio is 1:24 in lecture courses and 1:12 in labs.
Enrollment
Total enrollment at the college is over 30,000. The physical therapist assistant program admits 24 students each fall.
Admission
Applicants are admitted through a selection process as of the Fall 2014 cohort. Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is a community college that accepts transfer students on an equal basis with in-state residents. Minimum requirements for consideration are as follows: transcript of all previous college work, including Introduction to Writing, Intermediate Algebra, Human Anatomy, Human Growth and Development Through the Lifespan, Introduction to Physical Therapy, and Practice Issues for the Physical Therapist Assistant; matriculation as an SLCC student; completed HESI test, and a well-written essay. As application packet is available on the program website: www.slcc.edu/ptassistant. Physical therapy coursework totals 52 semester hours and is completed sequentially in 3.5 semesters by December of the second year. Two full-time faculty and adjunct faculty members instruct the coursework of approximately 13 credit hours per semester. 60% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (5-year average).
Outcomes
87% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 99% of students responding to surveys are employed (3-year average); Licensure is required to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the state of Utah; 93% of the program graduates who took the national exam passed (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The anticipated cost of tuition and fees for the 3+ semester technical program beginning with the 2013-14 academic year is approximately $8,400 for in-state students and $19,970 for out-of-state students. There are $750 lab fees. The cost for books is approximately $750. A number of federal, state, and private sources of assistance are available to eligible students who demonstrate financial need. Some scholarships and waivers based on merit and achievement are also available. For further information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 801/957-4663.
Student life
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is located on the Jordan campus. Rental housing is available within driving or public transportation distance. A wide variety of social, academic, and professional organizations are available, including an active Student Physical Therapist Assistant Club. Students are encouraged to be involved in the Utah Physical Therapy Association, with conference attendance partially funded by this professional association. The close proximity of the Rocky Mountains allows year-round recreational activities, such as skiing and hiking. Salt Lake City offers a variety of art forms and sporting events.