General Program Description
The 2-year integrated program consists of 45 physical therapist assistant and 25 general education course credits, totaling 70 program credits. The program consists of 5 terms. The PTA courses begin in August. Degrees are conferred in May. The Blackhawk Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education.
Clinical Experiences
There are three clinical courses required in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. The first course is in the spring, or second semester of the first year, and is 1 day per week. The second is in the fall, or first semester of the second year, and is 2 days per week. The final experience is in the second semester of the second year and is a full-time experience for 8 weeks. Clinical education sites are located within a 90-mile radius of the school. These clinical sites provide a variety of experiences, including hospital acute, rehab, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and community based specialty clinics such as school systems, 0-3 programs, home health, developmentally disabled, sports medicine, and work hardening. The program aims to expose each student to as many types of physical therapy services as possible to encourage a well-rounded clinical education experience.
Faculty
There are two full-time and two part-time physical therapist faculty members and four part-time physical therapist assistant laboratory assistants. All program faculty members are practicing clinicians and vary in experience, education, and expertise.
Enrollment
The college has a total enrollment exceeding 16,000; however, many students are enrolled part-time. The physical therapist assistant program accepts 18 first year students
Admission
Applications are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Students are declared program-ready by meeting COMPASS test score requirements and taking the HOBET test. Anatomy/Physiology, Physics ,College Math, Oral and Written Communications (all witih required grade of B) must be take prior to the petitioning process. Shadowing is required. The program applicants must petition in the fall for January notice of admission for fall entrance. The college has special out-of-district admission agreements with Waukesha Technical College and Rock Valley College. Students vary in age and cultural background.
Outcomes
In past three years, 2011, 2012, adn 2013 approximately 72% of admitted students graduated from the program. In the same time period 100% of graduates are employed within six months of graduation and most at salaries higher than the national average. Also in the same time period the program has a 100% national examination pass rate. Employer and graduates surveys consistently indicate high satisfaction with the Blackhawk Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant program.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The cost of in-state tuition and fees for a full-time student for the five terms is approximately $8,540. Total cost for textbooks and supplies is approximately $1,300. Forty percent of the physical therapist assistant students receive financial aid. For specific information, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Student life
There are no dormitories or on-campus living arrangements. All students live off campus, and housing availability is adequate. Campus parking is convenient. Blackhawk Technical College is located in a rural area centered between Beloit and Janesville. The college is 40 miles from Madison, the capitol of Wisconsin, where the University of Wisconsin is located. Wisconsin outdoor recreational activities are abundant, and Chicago’s cultural offerings are approximately a 2-hour drive away.