Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Application Information

Applications for Spring 2013 will be accepted May 1st – July 31st.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Information for Spring 2013 - (pdf) *** Please read this information BEFORE completing your Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Application.***

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Application for Spring 2013 - (doc) *** Please read, complete and submit this information for your Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Application.***

Program Description

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a health care provider working under the direction of a Physical Therapist. The PTA is involved in the treatment of individuals with muscular, skeletal, cardiopulmonary, and nervous system disorders. The PTA may also be involved in injury prevention or programs specifically targeted toward individual or group wellness. The PTA is able to provide physical therapy services as specified in a care plan developed by a Physical Therapist. Treatment program implementation may include therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, activities of daily living, and administration of physical agents such as heat and cold.

Admission Criteria

Physical Therapist Assisting is a selective admission program. The college accepts a cohort of 20 students into the PTA program each Spring. In order to be eligible for admission, students must:

• Submit a Physical Therapist Assisting Application by the designated deadline;
• Place into ENG 111 or completed all Developmental English;
• Place into MAT 080 or higher or completed Introduction to Algebra (MAT 070) or higher at a North Carolina Community College;
• Completed a high school or college/university level chemistry class with a grade of “C” or better;
• A current GPA of 2.5 or higher. If you have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours with Craven Community College, and have not attended another college/ university since completing those hours, we will use the Craven GPA. If you have attended multiple colleges/universities, and have less than 12 semester hours at Craven CC, we will combine all GPA’s to determine your current GPA. If you have less than 12 semester hours of college work, we will use your high school GPA, which must be 2.5 or higher. If you completed a GED, and have less than 12 semester hours of college work, you must have scored 2400;
• Take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) placement exam;
• Complete required observation hours in the discipline and be interviewed by the College’s PTA committee.

Academic Requirements

Successful completion of all general education courses with a "C" or greater and all PTA courses with a "B" or greater in a term/semester as identified by the program advisee sheet is required before physical therapist assistant students may progress to the succeeding semester.

Career Opportunities

Hospitals | Clinics | Home Health Care Agencies | Nursing Homes | Private Practice | Schools

Accreditation

Craven Community College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org).

Candidacy is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation.

Degree Requirements

PTA Program Documents and Forms

Questions?

For more information about enrolling in Physical Therapist Assistant Program, please contact Jennifer Cooke at (252)-638-7227 or Gloria Sanders at (252)-638-7340. You can also send an email to healthcare@cravencc.edu for more information about the program.