Physical Therapist Assistant Program

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program offered at Ashland Community College prepares the individual to provide physical therapy services under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants enhance the delivery of physical therapy services by providing delegated interventions, assisting the physical therapist with data collection, communicating with other members of the health care delivery team, interacting with members of the patient’s family and caregivers, and working cooperatively with other health care providers. Physical therapist assistants possess the background to provide essential patient services for the prevention and alleviation of physical impairment and restoration of function.

The Ashland Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program is seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association. The program has submitted a Declaration of Intent to Apply for Accreditation, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted initial accreditation status. The target start date for the PTA program is Fall 2001 (pending a positive candidacy decision by CAPTE). In accordance with the timeline for accreditation, a decision on candidacy should be announced prior to Summer 2001 and applicants will be notified at that time.

Application Procedure

Enrollment in the PTA program is limited therefore and a selective admissions process will be followed. Students must submit the following items into the Admission office by March 1, 2001:

1. ACC and PTA application forms (available in the Admissions Office)

2. Official high school transcript or a copy of your GED scores

3. Documentation of your physical therapy observation times (a minimum of 8 hours with at least 4 hours in a hospital setting)

4.Attend a PTA pre-admissions conference

5. Official transcript(s) of post-secondary education*

6. Official ACT scores

* Transcripts are only official if mailed to ACC directly from the school or institution(s).

Students admitted to the program are selected on a competitive basis. Admission to the program is open to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, and without discrimination on the basis of color, creed, sex, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin, or disability. However, preference may be given to qualified students from under-served areas or under-represented populations of Kentucky.

PTA Program Curriculum

The PTA program education model is based on an integrated 2-year curriculum framework. Students are accepted into the program and concurrently complete general education, applied physical therapy sciences, technical skills, and clinical education courses. Prior to admission, students should have completed BSL 110 (Human Anatomy & Physiology) and another 3 credit hour course from the core curriculum with a grade of "C" or higher for each course. Please refer to the PTA curriculum for further details. The curriculum format includes all of the elements to successfully meet the requirements for an associate degree and for graduating an entry-level PTA.

Students are admitted to the PTA program in the fall semester of each year, there is no spring admission (unless the target start date is delayed due to accreditation status).