General Program Description
Olympic College offers a two-year curriculum designed to prepare graduates to be employed as Physical Therapist Assistants. The program offers a balance of general education courses, physical therapy theory and physical therapy assistant practice. Following acceptance, the professional phase of the program can be completed in five consecutive quarters. PTA program courses require a minimum 2.7 grade point or above to progress in the program. Clinical education courses are pass/fail. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment as physical therapist assistants (PTA) in various health care settings including hospitals, long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, private out-patient practice, school settings and home health.
Clinical Experiences
Olympic College incorporates clinical education as an integral aspect of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Students accepted into the program will complete 640 hours of clinical education as part of the professional curriculum. There is one 10 week, part-time clinical experience in Quarter 3 and one 3 week full-time clinical experience in Quarter 5. There are two 5 week, full-time clinical experiences during Quarter 6. Clinical education sites provide a representation of the community’s diverse rehabilitation opportunities. Education sites selected will include acute inpatient hospital care, outpatient sports and orthopedics, pediatrics, skilled physical therapist assistant and transitional care, home health services and general outpatient/neurological rehabilitation.
Faculty
The core faculty is comprised of two full time faculty members. Adjunct faculty with specific areas of clinical expertise are also involved on instruction. The faculty to student ratio is 1:12.
Enrollment
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program accepts up to 24 students each fall quarter.
Admission
The PTA program admits a class of 24 students each fall quarter. Admission into the program requires a special application process in addition to the college application. The admission process is competitive and includes requirements in academic preparedness and work or volunteer experience in physical therapy settings. The completion of all requirements does not ensure admission into the program. To receive an admissions packet that includes prerequisites and details regarding the application process and deadlines, go to our website: http://www.olympic.edu/ocpta .
Outcomes
99% of students who have taken the licensure examination have passed over the past 5 years. 100% of graduated students are employed at this time. 72% of admitted students have graduated over the past 5 years.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The total cost for the 2014-2015 academic year is $9,678.00, with an average cost per quarter of $1,612.00. These cost estimates include tuition, lab fees, textbooks and other program fees. In order to be considered for federal, state or institutional student financial aid, individuals must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For further information, contact the Olympic College financial aid office at 360-475-7160.
Student life
The PTA facility is located on the Poulsbo Branch Campus. The main Olympic College campus is Bremerton. Both Poulsbo and Bremerton are located in Kitsap County. The Kitsap Peninsula lies in the heart of Puget Sound surrounded by over 300 miles of saltwater shoreline and located between the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in Washington State.