Physical Therapist Assistant | MCTC

Physical Therapist Assistant

three students practicing Physical Therapist Assistant techniques

Provide healing help to people of all ages recovering from illness or injury. Learn how our bodies work and train to aid licensed therapists in this growing field. 

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What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?

This two-year program prepares the student to become a skilled assistant working under the supervision of a physical therapist to provide patient services that alleviate physical impairments and restore function.

The program utilizes a selective admissions process with limited enrollment. Admission to the college does not guarantee acceptance into the program. New students are admitted once yearly with PTA courses beginning in the Spring Semester. The program admitted their first cohort January 2021.

The Associate in Applied Science Degree is comprised of 26-30 hours of general education course work and 40 hours of program-specific technical course work, including three clinical experiences at various clinical sites. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NTPE).

What are my career choices?

Demand for physical therapy services is expected to increase in response to the healthcare needs of an older population and growing rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. 

A physical therapist assistant may work under the supervision of a physical therapist in settings such as rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, athletic training facilities, home health care, school systems, and hospitals.

What are my degree options?

Physical Therapist Assistant - AAS (66-69 credit hours)

How Do I apply?

  1. ACT score of >19 (or SAT equivalent)
  2. TEAS minimum score of 60
  3. At a minimum, students MUST COMPLETE with a “C” or better prior to admissions: BIO 137, ENG 101, and MAT 150
    1. Preference may be given to students who have additionally completed with a “C” or better prior to admissions: BIO 139 and PSY 110.
  4. Mandatory attendance at PTA Program Admissions Conference the year in which student will be applying.
  5. Complete program approved CPR course.

Academic Points

Points for ACT Score
ACT Score Points
31+ 20
27-30 15
23-26 10
19-22 5
<19 0
Points for TEAS Score
TEAS Score Points
94-100 20
86-93 15
78-85 10
69-77 5
60-68 1
Points for Cumulative College GPA
Cumulative College GPA Points
3.75-4.00 20
3.50-3.74 15
3.25-3.49 10
3.00-3.24 5
Points for Work Experience
Work Experience* Points
3+ Years 10
2+ Years 6
1+ Years 4
<1 Year 2

*Work experience will only be considered if work was done as a physical therapy aide/tech or in a position in a medical setting.

Communication Points

  1. Interview with Admission Committee
    • 20 points possible
  2. Writing Sample
    • 10 points possible

Totals

Total Points Possible for Each Category
Category Points Earned Points Possible
ACT Score   20
Cumulative College GPA   20
TEAS Score   20
Interview with Admission Committee   20
Work Experience   10
Writing Sample   10
TOTAL   100

Following the steps below will help guide you through the admissions process. 

  1. Apply to MCTC
    • Choose Montgomery as your home campus
  2. Request any prior college transcripts be sent to MCTC
    • Contact prior college Registrar office to have transcripts sent to MCTC
  3. Take ACT if not already previously taken
  4. Schedule an appointment to discuss program with PTA Program Director
  5. Begin taking pre-requisite classes
  6. Take the TEAS Allied Health Test
    • Schedule a time to take the TEAS (you can come to the Maysville campus and test in person, or you may test remotely)
    • You must have scored at least a 60 on the Allied Health TEAs exam off our four campuses by October 1.
  7. Attend a PTA Pre-Admissions Conference
    • Conference dates and registration form are available at bottom of the program web page.
  8. Observation
    • Complete 20 observation hours in physical therapy setting.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Applicants must attend one session prior to the admission deadline of October 1.

Register for a Pre-Admission Conference

Additional Information

Upon completion of the program the graduate can:

  1. Describe the scope and function of the physical therapist assistant.
  2. Implement the physical therapy plan of care as directed by the physical therapist.
  3. Perform selected data-collection measurements as directed by the physical therapist.
  4. Progress or modify selected patient interventions within the plan of care based on clinical indications and observed patient status.
  5. Demonstrate patient care in a safe, ethical and legal manner.
  6. Function as an effective health care provider within the community and health care system.
  7. Educate patients, clients, family members and others within the plan of care and/or in group education programs.
  8. Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
  9. Relate the principles of wellness and disease to physical therapy for individuals across the lifespan.
  10. Demonstrate problem solving skills in administering physical therapy care.
  11. Document patient care in a manner which meets all state, federal, and regulatory guidelines.
  12. Relate the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems to physical therapy.
  13. Apply the principles of kinesiology and biomechanics to physical therapy.

The MCTC PTA Program is located on the Montgomery Campus, in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, with classroom, laboratory and faculty offices located on the second floor of the facility. Students enrolled in the program are expected to attend all program courses in person unless otherwise specified in course syllabi. General education courses may be completed at any KCTCS institution or may be transferred from other accredited institutions. Prospective students with transfer credits should submit a transcript to the Office of the Registrar to determine the transferability of those course credits prior to application to the program.

The MCTC Physical Therapist Assistant Program provides a contemporary and comprehensive curriculum to prepare graduates for entry-level employment as physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.  Graduates will be equipped to perform duties as critical thinkers in an ethically and culturally competent manner, and will understand the values of lifelong learning and personal development.

The PTA Program utilizes a standard, uniform grading scale to which it strictly adheres.  Students must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher.  The scale is:

A: 92 – 100%
B: 83 – 91%
C: 75 – 82%
D: 67 – 74%
E: < 74%

Due Process

If a student has a grievance, complaint, or question regarding any aspect of the PTA Program, she/he should always refer to the Student Code of Conduct and follow the proper chain of command which is:

  1. PTA faculty member
  2. PTA Program Coordinator/Director
  3. Associate Dean of Health Sciences
  4. Provost
  5. President/CEO

If a student bypasses an individual in the chain of command, she/he will be instructed to follow the proper order. Grievances/complaints should be aired at the time of the occurrence.

For more information, refer to the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct.

Complaints Outside of Due Process

Complaints regarding the Maysville Community and Technical College Physical Therapist (PTA) Program that fall outside of due process should first be addressed to the PTA Program Coordinator/Director. Unresolved complaints or complaints against the PTA Program Director should be addressed to Dr. Thomas Ware, Provost/Chief Academic Officer at Maysville Community & Technical College, 1755 US Hwy 68, Maysville, KY 41056. (606)759-7141, ext. 66114. All complaints will be documented and maintained, including the projected outcome and kept on file at the program facility. All formal complaints will be investigated within 30 days by the administrative officer having jurisdiction. No retaliation will occur by MCTC or the PTA Program due to a complaint being filed.

Concerns or complaints about this program and/ or accreditation: Individuals desiring to file a complaint with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) may do so at https://www.capteonline.org/complaints or 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.

Student Complaint with CAPTE

Anyone may file a signed complaint about the agency with CAPTE. Complaints about the agency's criteria, its procedures or other aspects of the agency's work, including its staff and volunteers, will be considered by CAPTE. To be considered as a formal complaint against CAPTE, however, a complaint must involve issues other than concern about a specific program action.

Complaints must be submitted in writing. The event(s) being complained about must have occurred at least in part within one (1) year of the date the complaint is filed. The complaint must be identified as a complaint and submitted independent of any other documentation submitted to CAPTE. The complaint must 1) set forth and clearly describe the specific nature of the complaint, 2) provide supporting data for the charge, 3) specify the changes sought by the complainant, and 4) identify the person making the complaint.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program  at Maysville Community & Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (859) 274-9626 or email emily.norris@kctcs.edu.

The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: 

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org

CAPTE verify accreditation status

Length of Program

You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years (five semesters) when you maintain full-time status.

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.

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Program Contact

Dr. Emily Norris, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA Program Director, Assistant Professor

(859) 274-9626

emily.norris@kctcs.edu

Administrative Assistant

Cassie Chandler

Physical Therapist Assistant

Administrative Assistant

(606) 780-6334

cassie.chandler@kctcs.edu

Instructor

Lauren Donovan, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA Program Instructor

(859) 274-9622

lauren.donovan@kctcs.edu