Physical Therapist  Assistant Program

A Message from Dr. Neil A. Evans, PT, Associate Professor
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Leader
    
     On behalf of the PTA faculty and staff I would like to welcome you to the PTA program webpage of Shawnee State University!    We appreciate that you have chosen to navigate our webpage. 
     The PTA program has been a large presence at SSU since Shawnee State University officially became a University in 1986.  We enjoy suburb student successes and have an outstanding relationship within the physical therapy community.  Our faculty are expert in their field and provide a high level educational experience. 
     Shawnee State has many unique characteristics including being the only PTA program in the state of Ohio that is housed on a main campus of a four year institution.  Therefore, should you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a PTA degree, all of the coursework can be completed on our campus.  Additionally, SSU offers an abundance of academic resources.  Our faculty understands that the healthcare environment is ever-changing.  We strive to provide our students with the hands-on training to work together with other members of the healthcare team.  Students are also exposed to many different types of clinical experiences while enrolled in the program with our excellent clinical affiliations. 
     We welcome questions and our academic advisors are here to assure a smooth and comfortable, but challenging learning environment.  Please continue to navigate our website and feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Neil A. Evans, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
740/351-3428
nevans@shawnee.edu

The profession of physical therapist assistant (PTA) has emerged as an integral part within the discipline of physical therapy.  The PTA plays a key role in a patient's recovery from injury or disease of the neurological or musculoskeletal systems of the body.

PTA's work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to use electrical, mechanical, and thermal modalities; assist in gait training; instruct in strengthening and coordination exercises; and improve work, sports, or activities of daily living skills.  They are employed in hospitals, outpatient care clinics, rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, nursing homes, and school systems.

The curriculum is designed in a five semester sequence incorporating academic and clinical coursework.  Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree as a physical therapist assistant and is eligible to apply for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Shawnee State University is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Acceptance/Matriculation Rates

Applicants are chosen for the PTA program based on 5 criteria, and are ranked accordingly.  The 5 criteria are: 
1.  Overall GPA
2.  Science/Math GPA (See worksheet in the application packet)
3.  ACT (Must be taken within the last 10 years; Applicants that have a confirmed bachelor degree on their 
     transcript do not have to repeat the ACT)

a. Students are awarded points based on the composite score in the following manner:
    i.        18-19 = 1 point
    ii.       20-22 = 2 points
    iii.      23-25 = 3 points
    iv.      26 or higher = 4 points

4. Essay (Students answer the question: “Why do you want to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?”

5. Observation hour evaluations from the PT/PTA that was observed and signed log of hours.

The PTA program typically has between 60-90 applicants that meet the minimum qualifications and the program accepts 25-30 applicants each year.  Cohort size is determined by several factors including the expected availability of clinical affiliations, the quality of the applicants, and the physical space of the program.

Students that are accepted complete the program in a total of 5 semesters, or 75 weeks.  The matriculation can be further broken down into an integrated general education and technical education component consisting of 58 weeks (4 semesters).  As well as a clinical education component that consist of 17 weeks (One part-time 60 hour experience during the fourth semester, and 3 full-time clinical affiliations during the fifth semester (5 weeks each).