PTA Program HOME Page

Admission to the PTA Program - Second Year

Interested students do not need to apply to the PTA program to take the general education or first year course work.  Graduating high school students, new to college, or second career students who are interested in applying to the second year (also called technical year) of the program need to complete first (1st) year course work in order to the second (2nd) year of the program.  All potential applicants must meet Murray State College admission requirements in order to qualify for admission to the second year of the PTA Program .  If you are not a current MSC student, then you can apply on-line from the MSC Home Page.  In addition to the requirement for admission to the college, students interest in applying to the second year of the PTA program must also meet the following program specific requirements:

1. Complete one year of high school chemistry with a grade of "C" or higher or one semester of college chemistry as prerequisite to MSC biological sciences.   If you take your biological sciences (A&P) at another college, then you would be required to meet the requirements for that school's sciences.  Not every school requires the same prerequisite courses for A & P.

2. Have an enhanced ACT composite score of 19 or above and sub scores of 19 or above.  Deficiency in sub scores can be removed by taking appropriate courses.  If deficiencies may be removed by achieving a least a 3.0 GPA in a minimum of 15 college credit hours including one science course.

3. Attain a grade point average of at least 2.5 on any completed college course work with a grade of "C" or higher in prerequisite classes in the biological and behavioral sciences. To eligible students must complete all PTA Program 1st year courses (see curriculum) before the beginning of the fall semester of the second year of the PTA program in which they are accepted.  All courses in the biological and behavioral sciences must be taken within 10 years of anticipated year of graduation from the PTA program.

4. Be able to meet the physical and mental requirements of the role required of a PTA.  A detailed list of these requirements is available from PTA Director or you can go to http://online.onetcenter.org for a search of an occupations data base regarding the physical and mental requirements of the PTA.

To apply to the second year of the PTA program you need to do the following:

• Submit a Murray State College application to the Registrar's Office (if you are not currently an MSC student).

• Submit to the Registrar's Office ALL of the following and request a copy to sent to the PTA Office.

  • Official ACT score report, and

  • High school transcript or equivalent, and

  • College transcript.

The following additional applicant procedures for the PTA program must be followed after completing the general college admission process:

5. Attend a PTA Admission Class conducted by the PTA Program Director. These classes consist of approximately 1 hour orientation to the application process. The dates and times of these short classes are posted in January of each year at least one month prior to the beginning of the classes.  Please call the PTA program and reserve a place in one of these classes which are help several times in February and March of each year.  It is during this orientation to the application process that potential applicants receive the application packets. 

6. Take a HESI admission test offered for MSC Allied Health students.  This test will be explained further at the PTA admission class and will be offered during the first few weeks of April 2010.  Available times to take the HESI admission test will be linked to the PTA home page after January 1st 2010.  The cost of the admission exam is $40.00 but is subject to change.

7. Complete a minimum of 16 hours of observation of a physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) in a clinical facility that provides physical therapy.  Students may earn additional points for observation additional hours (32 maximum for points).  Students may observe the same PT or PTA for up to 16 hours.  Documentation of all observation is completed on the Clinical Observation Form and returned to the program by the PT/PTA who was observed. 

8. Complete a PTA Application and submit to the PTA Office prior to the last Friday in April. 

How are the students in the second year chosen?

This is a question that is explained in great detail during the application orientation classes held in February and March of each year.  This information is provided as an overview of the process.  The second year (also called the technical year) is the actual PTA program year.  Applicants are chosen in May of each year and the class meets for the initial orientation at the end of May or early June.  

The class is determined by a selection committee that is made up of program advisory committee members, PTA program faculty, and other campus faculty.  The program director does not have a vote and is the only person in attendance who has information on the names of applicants.  The actual selection of the class is made by a committee who is "blinded" to the applicant.  This means that they know only the qualifications and points of each applicant.  The selection committee uses a points system that has been developed and refined over the years.  This system is as objective and unbiased as we can make it.  It is our desire to select students who are qualified and capable of success in the program and prepared to enter the profession upon graduation.  

We use a point system that includes the following major components:	Changes have been made to the point system for 2010.  This point system is subject to change each year.  The information presented here is the most current.  The points system and the specific application procedure for each year is explained during the application orientation class.
ACT composite score HESI Admission Test score Grades on prerequisite (1st year) course work Overall GPA Exposure to PT - Clinical observations

 A minimum of sixteen (16) hours of clinical observation is required by the time of application to the MSC/PTA program.  Clinical observation can be scheduled with any willing PT or PTA licensed in the state in which the observation occurs.  Students interested in completing observation hours should contact a provider organization (for example a hospital, out-patient clinic, or private provider) and gain permission for the observation experience.  Times should be set up that are convenient for the provider and students should present themselves in a manner that they might for a potential employer.  Student's should inquire about proper attire and ask questions that demonstrate a desire to learn about the profession.  This observation is very important to help applicants garner a better understanding of the profession of physical therapy.   The required 16 hours may be completed with one PT or PTA and can be documented on one clinical observation form.   In addition to the required 16 hours, additional hours up to 32 can result in additional application points.  Please note that the Clinical Observation Form has changed for 2010.

To expand the applicants awareness of the scope of physical therapy practice in this area, students are encouraged to perform additional clinical observation.  In addition to the minimum required clinical observation (16 hours), students can gain additional points by observing  with physical therapists (PT's) or physical therapist assistants (PTA's) up to 16 hours each for a total of 32 hours.  This means that up to three (3) different PT's or PTA's should be observed to get the maximum points (required 16 and then 2 x 16 for points).  These professionals may work in the same facility but each must complete clinical observation form of the applicant.  When the PT or PTA recommends the applicant for consideration, the applicant receives 1 point for every two hours of observation up to the 16 point maximum.  Each PT or PTA who is observed must complete a clinical observation record form and return the form to the program for each observation.  This form is to be printed from this site.    This will be explained during the application orientation class.

 

If you have questions about our program or any aspect of the profession of PHYSICAL THERAPY, please contact us.

We want to help you!             

 

 

Click here for information on the PTA Application Orientation Classes. Click here for the Clinical Observation Form   EMAIL Program Director

For information about ACT Test given on the MSC campus contact:   Linda Taylor Student Support Services  ltaylor@mscok.edu (580) 371-2371 ext. 202

Information on this and all PTA pages is subject to change.  Each year the application process is reviewed and changes occur as a part of the ongoing program evaluation process.

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