Physical Therapist Assistant, Career Associate of Science

Program Information

The mission of the Albany State University Physical Therapist Assistant Programs is to graduate knowledgeable, competent, self-assured, adaptable, and service-oriented physical therapist assistants.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Albany State University is accredited by the

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085

Telephone: 703-706-3245
E-mail: accrediation@apta.org
Website: http://www.capteonline.org

Admission to the program is a two-step process. Students may declare a PTA plan of study upon college enrollment while completing prerequisite coursework for the purpose of advisement. However, this does not guarantee admission to the program. 

After successful completion of the four semester PTA program, this includes both didactic and clinical components; an Associate of Science degree will be awarded. Graduates will be academically eligible to apply for national licensure by examination through the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy. It is noted that permission to take the examination is granted by the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy. The board has the right to refuse to grant a license to any individual who has been convicted of legal and/or moral violations specified by Georgia law.

After satisfactory performance on the examination, licensed physical therapist assistants will be qualified for entry-level employment in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and other health care settings.

The PTA program reserves the right to discontinue, at any time, the enrollment of a PTA student if, in the judgment of the Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs, the PTA faculty, and the Dean of the Health Sciences Division, the student does not appear to have the necessary qualifications for a career as a PTA.

Additional PTA Program Requirements

1. The PTA program requires a full-time commitment from the student. Generally, classes will be scheduled Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with some evening and/or Friday/weekend time commitments As Needed.
2. Since clinical education is a critical component of the program, all clinical practicums must be passed. Some out of town travel will be necessary. Students are responsible for their own transportation, food, and lodging during the practicums unless other arrangements are made by the clinical site or student.
3. Students must provide evidence of the following prior to clinical experiences:
   1. Completed health form, including evidence of the hepatitis B vaccine series, influenza, PPD, varicella, MMR, and other immunizations as required by the program.
   2. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification - American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider course. This must be maintained throughout the program.
   3. Malpractice insurance (available through Albany State University).
   4. Signed letter of confidentiality and honor code.
   5. Signed consent form to release health information and immunization records as required by individual clinical affiliation sites.
   6. Proof of health insurance is required.
   7. Drug screen and/or background check.
4. The student is expected to assume responsibility for their own health in the event of illness, accident, or exposure to communicable disease.
5. A minimum grade of "C" is required in each PTA didactic course to advance in the program.
6. Clinical practicums must be passed to graduate. In the event of unsatisfactory performance, one practicum may be repeated one time only during the Spring Semester if deemed appropriate by the clinical faculty.
7. Once enrolled in the program, failure to satisfactorily complete the coursework in the scheduled sequence will result in the student being withdrawn from the program. The student would have to reapply, be re-accepted, and repeat appropriate coursework.
8. Students must follow the policies and procedures of the PTA program.
9. Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association is strongly recommended to enhance professional development.
10. All PTA students are required to purchase uniforms as specified by clinical sites and a clinical kit, which includes a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, goniometer, and other commonly needed clinical items.
11. In order to successfully complete the clinical practicums and work effectively as a PTA, students are required to possess the following functional abilities and critical skills:
    1. Able to stand, walk on all surfaces, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, and sit for long periods of time.
    2. Able to maintain good balance to assist with gait and transfer training.
    3. Able to lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighting up to fifty pounds.
    4. Able to reach above and below the waist.
    5. Able to manually, auditorially, and visually operate and/or manipulate wheelchairs, mobile aids, ambulation devices, instrumentation, and equipment.
    6. Able to visually and cognitively recognize changes in a patient's condition.
    7. Able to effectively communicate with patients and relay information about a patient verbally and in writing.
    8. Able to wear appropriate protective equipment and to tolerate unsightly, noxious environments.
    9. Able to manage physical, emotional, and mental stress effectively.
    10. Able to tolerate others’ value systems, morals, cultures and religions, which may be different from your own.
    11. Able to exhibit professional behavior and ethical conduct in a clinic and classroom.
    12. Able to problem solve rapidly, demonstrate the ability to learn and reason, and to integrate, analyze, and synthesize date concurrently.
    13. Able to multi-task in multiple settings.

Re-Admission of Returning Students

Any student who fails a PTA course will not be able to progress to the next semester of PTA courses. If this is the student’s first failure, the student may re-apply to the PTA Program for the following year. The student must re-apply and will be ranked along with all program applicants based on the admission criteria. The readmitted student must retake all coursework beginning in the first semester of the professional phase. If the student fails for a second time, it will result in permanent dismissal from the program without chance of re-admission.

Depending on your enrollment status, you may be required to take ASU 1101, “First Year Experience.”

Program Applications

PTA Program Applications may be picked up in the Health Sciences Division Office J-210 or downloaded from the Albany State University website  https://www.asurams.edu/academic-affairs/dchealthprof/docs/PTA-Application.pdf

Deadline for all PTA application material to be turned in is June 1 of each year.

To be considered for admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant program, the applicant must:

1. Be admitted to Albany State University
2. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or a 2.8 GPA or higher for the last 40 credit hours attempted.
3. Have all core curriculum coursework completed with a grade of “C” or higher prior to the start date of the Fall Semester to which they are applying. Prerequisites completed more than five years prior to the date of application are subject to approval by the PTA Selection Committee.
4. Complete the PTA application packet including:
   1. Application for admission to the PTA program
   2. Core Curriculum Information Form
   3. Documentation of at least 40 hours of observational experience in one or more physical therapy settings. Hours should be verified by the signature of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant on the “Observational Hours/Recommendation Form” found in the application packet.
   4. TEAS V scores

One class per year will be selected and will begin each Fall Semester. Incomplete application packets and/or applications received after June 1 may not be considered. Preliminary selection criteria, including GPA and observational hours completed, are ranked by the PTA Selection Committee. Top ranking applicants that meet the admission requirements will be invited for a personal interview. Offers of acceptance will be made based on the final ranking of those interviewed.

Students should declare an Associate of Science for Core Curriculum focused in Health Career pathways. The secondary major should be listed as PTA (0263) plan of study upon college enrollment for the purpose of advisement while completing the core curriculum coursework below. However, declaring this plan of study does not guarantee admission into the PTA Program. The following schedule is an example of required coursework.

After completion of the Core IMPACTS courses (listed below under Freshman year) and acceptance into the PTA Program, the schedule will continue at the sophomore year. This is a full-time program and the following classes must be taken in the order they are listed. An overall grade of “75 or higher” is required in each class in order to remain in the program. Failure to satisfactorily complete the coursework in the scheduled sequence will result in the student being withdrawn from the program.

Depending on your enrollment status, you may be required to take ASU 1101, “First Year Experience.”

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Humanities requirement may be met by taking any literature or appreciation course in the Humanities Area of the Core IMPACTS.