PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT (A.S.)
Patsy H. Haslam School of Health Sciences

Physical therapist assistants are educated health care providers who work under the supervision of a physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy services. Their duties include assisting physical therapists in implementing programs of care; training patients in exercises and activities of daily living; administering therapeutic modalities, special equipment, and other patient care procedures; communicating with patients, families, physicians, and other health care workers; and reporting and documenting patients’ status.

The 1+1 physical therapist assistant program prepares students with the knowledge and skills required to assist physical therapists in meeting the physical therapy needs of the public. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and graduates are eligible to apply for any state’s examination leading to licensure as a physical therapist assistant. Persons with a felony conviction are eligible for licensure based on terms and conditions of the state in which they intend to apply.

Licensed physical therapist assistants find employment opportunities in such settings as hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, school systems, and private practices.

Program Application and Admission
Students can enter the program only in the second summer session. Acceptance to the University and meeting the program application requirements do not guarantee admission.

Before applying to the program, you must complete or be enrolled in the program’s 29 semester hours of prerequisites, with all completed courses graded C or better and an overall GPA of at least 2.5 for all college-level work. Your application must also include documentation of at least 40 volunteer hours under the direction of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, as well as three letters of personal reference from people outside your immediate family.

Because the program has a rolling admission policy, there is no application deadline. Qualified applicants who apply early are accepted as soon as their completed application is reviewed. It is strongly suggested, however, that you submit your application no later than March 15. Qualified applicants who apply after that date will be accepted until the class is filled and then placed on a waiting list. Applicants who have completed their prerequisites at MSU and are otherwise qualified are given preference over those who are transferring prerequisites from other colleges or universities.

Program Requirements
Students must take all courses with a PTA prefix in sequence with a minimum grade of C in each. The program’s pass mark is 77 percent.

The program includes a series of three off-campus clinical education experiences. Students are required to work during the days and hours of operation of their assigned facility. Every effort is made to place students in facilities that disrupt their domestic arrangements as little as possible, but the primary purpose of the clinical experiences is to ensure that each student gains the variety of experience required to become a competent entry-level physical therapist assistant. Expenses, including travel, food, and housing (if necessary), are the responsibility of the student.