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Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for the college. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be ≥ 2.75 by the end of Fall 2021 based on at least 12 credit hours of college credit or if less than 12 credit hours of college-high school GPA. If your GPA is not above a 2.75, you are encouraged to seek advising from Miss Woody (advisor) about how this will impact your eligibility and how to improve your GPA as early in the process as possible.
The following college level prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher by the end of the Summer 2022 semester:
BIO 141 must be taken within the 5 years prior to the fall semester you are applying for. BIO 231 and BIO 232 with lab is an acceptable equivalent. Please note: the prerequisite for BIO 141 at VWCC is a recent college level Biology, (BIO 101 or NAS 2) successfully completed within the last three years.
Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Effective November 2, 2021, Virginia Western Community College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 540-857-6728 or email jtucker@virginiawestern.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Approximately twenty four (24) students will be admitted yearly to the Physical Therapist Assistant class. The criteria that will be evaluated include: (1) academic record and GPA, (2) TEAS scores, all sections, and (3) written essay component, (4) interview.
TEAS is the Test of Essential Academic Skills for Allied Health. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage. We are interested in all scores of the TEAS with the minimum score of 50 to receive consideration for admission.
TEAS testing is usually conducted from late February to mid-March. All qualified early applicants should receive additional details by late-February 2021 regarding TEAS testing dates. Only qualified applicants, who meet the minimum criteria, will be tested during this time period.)
A Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions Committee, which meets near the end of the spring semester, makes the admission decisions. Decisions are mailed to the applicants as soon as possible, usually during the 3rd full week of May.
The curriculum is designed to prepare selected students to become part of a skilled allied health care team that will provide physical therapy services under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist. Students are prepared as generalists, allowing them to enter a variety of clinical settings following graduation and licensure. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to the take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination. A passing score on the examination is required to obtain a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). Licensure is required in all 50 states to practice as a PTA.
To assist students in preparation for successfully completing their clinical rotations and their licensing examination, the program uses a seven-point grading scales, and all courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or above to ensure continued enrollment. Students must demonstrate a mastery of both academic and hands-on course material in order to progress through the program. Continuance in the program is based upon academic criteria and adherence to attendance and other program policies covered at orientation. Satisfactory progress and graduation is necessary for eligibility to take licensure examinations.
Yes, there will be additional costs for items such as a PTA Student Kit, clothing to meet classroom and clinical dress code, health requirements (physical examination and immunizations), background checks, drug screens, CPR certification, completion of a review course, and licensing fees. Full information on program costs can be found on this website.
Applicants for admission to the PTA program are considered for class positions based on their ability to meet program admission standards, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.
There is not a waiting list. All applicants who meet the deadline who are minimally qualified and complete the application process will be considered for the program each year. Applicants that wish to begin preparing for possible future consideration can submit the Physical Therapist Assistant application form with a note attached informing us of your future goal. You will still have to provide official transcripts with the application if you desire advising from the advisor so proper courses can be suggested. If you are planning to take classes to meet prerequisite requirements or completing support courses prior to entry, you will benefit from advising and receive updates on changes to the curriculum (if any).
Yes! In all 50 states, PTAs are now required to pass a licensing exam and meet additional state requirements in order to obtain a license to work as a PTA. Prospective students should be aware that in Virginia, and in many other states, completing a fingerprinting and background check process may be part of the licensing process. If students have any concerns regarding possible findings on these reports, they may contact the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy or the State Agency in which the prospective student plans to work.
In order to be licensed in the state of Virginia, applicants for licensure must:
healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu
Fralin Center HP214A or HP339
New Students: Chapman Hall
540-857-6325 or 857-6644
Fax: 540-857-6640
Mailing address:
School of Health Professions
3091 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
Jordan Tucker, PT, DPT, EdD
Program Director and Assistant Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant
B.S. – Ithaca College, 2004
M.S. – Ithaca College, 2005
DPT – Ithaca College, 2005
EdD – A.T. Still University, 2021
Martha Sullivan, Dean