Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

Program of Studies

Admissions Requirements

The University of Saint Francis accepts a limited number of students each year into this academically competitive program. The candidate’s high school record should reflect a college preparatory curriculum including four years of English, three years of mathematics, two years of social sciences, and three years of laboratory science, including one year of physics. In addition to meeting University of Saint Francis’ admission criteria, candidates will be considered for admission to the program who meet the following criteria:

1. A minimum one year of high school algebra, chemistry and biology or its equivalent with a grade of “C” or better.
2. Exposure to work in the health field through observation, volunteer service or employment.
3. Knowledge concerning the profession of physical therapy.
4. Two of the following criteria for admission:

• High school cumulative GPA of “B” or better (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• SAT re-centered math and verbal composite score of 1080 or above or an ACT composite score of 19 or higher post May 2016. For SAT or ACT test administrations prior to May 2016, an SAT composite score of 1000 or above or an ACT composite of 21 or above. *
• 12 or more transfer credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or above. It is strongly recommended that at least three credit hours be from a physical or biological science.
• Associate or higher-level degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• 12 credits at the University of Saint Francis with a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or above. It is strongly recommended that at least three credit hours be from a physical or biological science.

* The Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) for Health Occupations Aptitude Examination may be substituted for the SAT or ACT. Applicants who take the PSB will be provided Admission Committee criteria of the results upon request.

Please submit completed applications for the PTA Program. The PTA Program Admissions Committee will review all completed applications for admission to the PTA Program. The goal is to fill the next cohort group for the following August with the most qualified applicants. Once the class is filled, remaining qualified applicants may be offered positions in the class, or positions on the Wait List. Movement of applicants from the Wait List into an earlier class may occur if positions become available.

The Program requires four semesters of coursework once enrolled due to the sequencing of didactic and clinical coursework. Students may attend full time or, if all or some general education courses are completed, students may attend part time.

A candidate’s position in the class will only be guaranteed if:

• any subsequent required general education courses for the PTA Program registered for and taken prior to enrollment in the PTA Program are earned at the University of Saint Francis; and
• the candidate’s records for subsequent coursework continues to be at a level that supports the application score required for admission.

Criminal History

An applicant for certification or licensure as a physical therapist assistant should be aware that a criminal history may adversely affect the decision rendered by a regulatory body related to granting certification or licensure. These decisions are rendered on a case-by-case basis.

Progression Requirements

In order to advance in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, the student must:

1. Complete all prerequisites and enroll in all co-requisites;
2. Achieve a “C” (2.0) or above in each Physical Therapist Assistant and School of Health Sciences course. A grade of “C” or above in the PTA Program courses with laboratory components means that the student has received a 75% or above for both the lecture and laboratory component of the course
3. Achieve a score of 80% or more and successfully perform all critical elements identified on a practical examination score sheet when taking or retaking a practical exam. Achieve a “P” (pass) for each Clinical Education course;
4. Achieve a “C” (2.0) or above in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II;
5. Maintain a “C” (2.0) or above in all courses taken at University of Saint Francis;
6. Maintain certification in Healthcare Provider Level Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (formerly called Level C);
7. Exhibit personal and professional behaviors that demonstrate honesty, dependability, responsibility and positive interpersonal skills*; and
8. Demonstrate consistently safe clinical skills and actions. An unsafe clinical skill or action is a single occurrence or pattern of behavior in the classroom lab or clinic involving unacceptable risk or actual harm to the patient, to the student or others.*

* A student who exhibits impaired judgment or is suspected of substance abuse in the classroom, lab or clinic will be removed from the setting promptly, will meet jointly with his or her advisor and the Program Director. The situation will be handled by the PTA Program based on the behaviors which resulted in action on the part of university or clinical faculty/staff. Please refer to the USF Student Handbook section on Standard of Conduct for more information.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in dismissal from the PTA Program following review by the PTA Faculty.

A student must receive a “C” or above in both PTA 282  and PTA 284  and a pass in PTA 288  to progress to PTA 298 . PTA 298  is identified as a terminal clinical experience and is designed to be completed following a student’s successful completion of all didactic components of the PTA curriculum.

Minimum Competency:

In order to demonstrate Minimum Competency on all written exams, quizzes, papers, and projects, etc., a grade of 75% must be earned.  If a student receives below a 75%, remediation will be required per the discretion of the instructor until competency is reached but the original grade will be the one used for determining the student’s grade for the course. 

In order to demonstrate Minimum Competency on all practical examinations, a grade of 80% must be earned.  If a student receives below an 80% or does not successfully complete all Essential Elements of safety, the student will be required to retake the practical exam.  The student will have only 1 additional attempt to achieve successful completion.  The original grade will be the one used for determining the course for the grade. 

Graduation Requirements

All students must complete required credits indicated in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program’s curriculum plan with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for eligibility to graduate. At least 55 percent of the credits for the Associate of Science degree must be obtained from University of Saint Francis coursework. Competent performance of clinical procedures will be documented from laboratory check-offs and from clinical education evaluations performed on each student. In addition, university requirements for an Associate of Science degree must be met. Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program are expected to complete graduation requirements in four to six semesters.