Physical Therapist Assistant

Program News

Attention returning and new PTA applicants!  Note that the selection criteria for the PTA program has been modified for the application process for the program starting fall 2012. Please reference the PTA Program Admission Selection Criteria form dated February 2012 to ensure you are referencing the latest selection criteria. The deadline for complete application materials for the next PTA program starting Fall Quarter 2012 is April 19th, 2012. See below for application process and instructions.

PTA Students achieve 96% pass rate!
Ninety-six percent of the 2010-11 graduates of WCC's Physical Therapist Assistant program who took the National PTA Exam following completion of their studies passed the test. Ninety-two percent of those graduates have secured employment. Congratulations to our graduates and faculty!

What can I do as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)?

PTAs work with licensed physical therapists to provide treatment for physical injury or disability. Treatments include application of heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and massage, as well as training in therapeutic exercise and functional activities.  Whatcom Community College's PTA Program is particularly successful at training PTAs both locally and across the state.  Click here for detailed information about admission and graduation rates of the program.

The PTA program prepares students to work in a variety of settings including:

• Outpatient clinics
• Hospitals
• Health clubs
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Schools and other pediatric facilities
• Sports medicine clinics
• Private practice
• Home health care agencies
• Extended care facilities
• Retirement communities 

Information Sessions

You are strongly encouraged to attend an information session or contact one of the Program advisors for planning assistance prior to applying for admission. For an online advising walk-through click here.

Degree Information

• Associate in Science / Physical Therapist Assistant [PDF format] 

What is the Physical Therapist Assistant Program?

The PTA program is offered in two formats:  on campus in a traditional class setting, or in a part-time online/hybrid format.  The purpose of the program is to graduate skilled technical health care professionals who are capable of carrying out treatment programs under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Curriculum design is oriented to develop skills as well as comprehension of underlying theory, both of which are essential to competent practice.  Click here to see the program goals and objectives.

Whatcom Community College offers a two-year Associate in Science Degree Program to prepare PTAs for immediate employment. The PTA degree contains prerequisite courses including study in anatomy and physiology, general education/related instruction requirements such as English, math and social science, and the PTA core of physical therapy application courses and practical clinical experience. The full-time, on campus PTA program is offered in a 1+1 design format: the first year to complete program prerequisites and general education requirements and the second year to complete PTA core classes over 5 quarters. The online/hybrid program is offered in a part-time format: one year to complete program prerequisites and general education requirements and two years to complete the PTA core courses over 9 quarters.

Students must complete the prerequisite courses before being admitted to the sequence of PTA core courses. The prerequisite courses may be completed at another college or university and transferred to WCC. There is a selective application process for entry into the PTA core courses.

PTA core courses must be taken in sequence. The program is a rigorous and academically demanding course of study. It is recommended that students admitted to the PTA full-time program limit their outside obligations as much as possible. Both formats require an average of 20 hours per week outside of class on homework assignments. The final quarter of the on campus format consists of two full-time clinical affiliations scheduled 40 hours per week.  The final clinical affiliations are split into two quarters for the online hybrid format.

How can the Opportunity Grant Scholarship help you?

This program assists and supports students as they work toward a career in the healthcare industry.  The Opportunity Grant Scholarship offers tuition assistance to eligible students. Please click here for a detailed explanation of eligibility, services, and contact information. Apply Now!

What are the prerequisites?

The PTA program requires a minimum grade of C+ in each program prerequisite course.

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (or any higher-level English composition course)
• BUSAD 100, Business Math, or MATH 111, Methods for Problem Solving or any Q/SR course, including Chem& 121
• PSYC& 100, General Psychology or SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology
• Science lab course (any Biology, Chemistry or Physics lab course)
• MA 101, Medical Terminology I
• BIOL& 241, Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

Notes:

• HLTH 215: Human Organ Systems is a requirement of the core PTA program sequence, however this requirement may also be met by taking BIOL& 242: Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 instead. See an advisor for details.
• Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended that students enroll in a speech communication course that best suits their needs. Course options at WCC are CMST& 101, CMST& 210, CMST& 220, CMST& 230). Consult with an advisor for details.

What is the application process & deadline?

The on-campus PTA core courses start each fall quarter and the online/hybrid PTA core courses start each spring quarter. There is an application deadline prior to each program start as follows.

• Fall 2012 On-Campus PTA Program Deadline - April 19, 2012
• Spring 2013 Online/hybrid PTA Program Deadline - November 8, 2012

You must complete the following steps by the PTA program application deadline to be considered for program acceptance:

STEP 1 - Apply to Whatcom Community College.
Students must be enrolled at WCC and have an active Student Identification (SID) number in order to apply for the PTA program and pay related fees.

• New Students:
  • Apply to WCC online.
  • Unable to apply online? Request a WCC application by email at admit@whatcom.ctc.edu, by phone (360) 383-3001, or in person at the Entry & Advising Center, LDC 116.
  • Get your SID number. Once your completed WCC application has been received you will be sent a SID number via email within two to three days.
  • Once you receive your SID number, proceed to STEP 2.
• Returning Students: Contact the Registration Office to reactivate your student account and SID, then proceed to STEP 2.
• Current Students: Proceed to STEP 2 and use your active SID.

STEP 2 - Obtain and complete PTA selective application forms.
To obtain PTA selective application forms:

• Go to this link: PTA Program Application or
• Contact the Selective Entry Coordinator by phone at 360.383.3032 or by email at thall@whatcom.ctc.edu.

STEP 3: Pay application fee and submit all supporting application materials.
Students must pay a $50 program application fee, and submit application forms with all supporting materials, on or before the application deadline to be considered.

• Students may pay the PTA Program application fee ($50) in one of two ways:
  • Go in person to the WCC Cashier's window and pay the application fee with cash, check or credit card. You must have your SID number and identify the program for which you are applying. It is suggested that you complete the Application Fee Payment Form and turn it in with your payment.
  • Mail a check along with the Application Fee Payment Form directly to the WCC Business Office.
  • Note: The application fee is non-refundable. If you are not admitted to this program with your initial application, there will be no refund of the fee. If you reapply to this program within one year, you will not need to pay the fee again.
• Submit PTA Application Forms, and all required supporting documentation, in one complete packet to the WCC Registration /Records Office in person or by mail. Your packet should include:
  
  • Completed Application for Selective Entry Admission form
  • Completed Applicant Checklist
• Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges where you earned credits that may apply to the PTA program. 
  • A minimum grade of C+ (2.3 grade point) is required in each prerequisite and general education course.
  • Experience Verification Forms
    • At least one (1) form is required documenting at least 50 hours of experience in a physical therapy facility.
    • Experience may include paid or unpaid hours including observation, volunteer work, job shadows, informational interviews and personal physical therapy rehabilitation experience (only 10 hours of personal experience as a patient will be considered toward the requirement). Experience in more than one physical therapy setting is also beneficial (e.g., a hospital and a nursing home; an outpatient clinic and a school).
    • Experience Verification Forms must be returned to you in a sealed letterhead envelope from the facility in which your hours were obtained. Please submit these with the rest of your application materials with the sealed envelopes intact.
  • Recommendation Forms
    • Recommendations should be completed by employers, supervisors, current or former instructors, not friends or family members.
    • Recommendation Forms must be returned to you in a sealed, letterhead envelope from the recommending person. Please submit these with the sealed envelopes intact along with the rest of your application materials.
  • Receipt for the $10 purchase of a Washington State Patrol Background check through the WCC Business Office.
  • Personal Statement (see details on application form)
  • For online students only: eLearners Advisor results (see Personal Statement details)

All materials, whether delivered in person or by mail, must be received at the WCC Registration/Records Office by the deadline to be considered for the PTA Program. Incomplete files will not be considered for PTA Program acceptance. All selective admission application materials will be placed in a confidential student file for review by the selection committee.   

How are students selected for the PTA program?

The PTA Program Selection Committee will review applicants for acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program based on the number of available seats. The Selection Committee consists of the PTA Program Coordinator, program faculty and representatives from the Admissions Office. For detailed information about how the applications are scored, click here.  Applicants will be notified of their status (accepted, alternate or not accepted) 6-8 weeks after the application deadline.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a selective entry program. Applicants who were previously accepted into the PTA Program and declined acceptance or withdrew after the program started need to reapply and are not guaranteed priority consideration.

Accreditation

Whatcom Community College’s PTA Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).  CAPTE, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to those students that qualify. It is important that all students apply for aid to determine their eligibility. When planning ahead for financial aid it is important for students to know that if a student has a prior Bachelor's degree or higher they will be limited to loan and possible work study eligibility in most all cases. If questions arise and you fall into this category, feel free to contact Kathy Barnes, Associate Director of Financial Aid and Registration Advising to discuss your individual financial situation for clarification by calling (360) 383.3058 or emailing her at kbarnes@whatcom.ctc.edu.

Background Check Information

Clinical placements, employment and licensure in a healthcare field often require a background check. WCC will conduct a Washington State Patrol background check on PTA Program applicants. Students need to pay the $10 fee for background checks to the WCC Business Office, obtain a receipt, and attach the receipt to their application. Results of the background check will be given to the PTA Program Coordinator. Students with a negative finding will be required to meet with the program coordinator prior to admittance to discuss possible options. Entrance and acceptance into the program is contingent upon background checks. Background check results for program applicants are considered valid for 6 months.

How do community members contact the program with a concern?

Community members may contact us with concerns through a formal process that is meant to insure fair treatment of all parties.