PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM MISSION …€¦ · Psy 101 General Psychology 3 credits Psy 212 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 3 credits At the completion of all prerequisite

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PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM

UNION COUNTY COLLEGE

APPLICATION

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College exists to meet the health and wellness needs of

the community for highly qualified, entry level Physical Therapist Assistants, who will work under the direction and

supervision of physical therapists. Graduates of the program are compassionate, culturally and gender competent,

lifelong learners who communicate appropriately with patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers to

provide safe, ethical, efficient and effective interventions with competent education methods to the population they

serve.

Thank you for your interest in Union County College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Our full-time

program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduates are awarded

an Associate of Applied Science Degree and are eligible for the New Jersey State licensure examination.

Curriculum Sequence

Preclinical Phase

Prerequisite Course Work

Eng 101 English Composition l 3 credits

Bio 105 Anatomy and Physiology 1 4 credits

Math 119 Algebra 4 credits

Psy 101 General Psychology 3 credits

Psy 212 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 3 credits

At the completion of all prerequisite course work, a Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Application is required for consideration for the clinical phase of the program.

Clinical Phase Spring Semester

PTA 115 Functional Anatomy 4 credits

PTA 130 PT Procedures I 7 credits

PTA 251 Independent Living 2 credits

Clinical Phase Summer Session One

PTA 140 PT Procedures II 3 credits

Eng 102 English Composition ll 3 credits

Summer Session Two

Bio 106 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits

Clinical Phase Fall Semester

PTA 217 PT Seminar l & Clinical Practice I 7 credits

PTA 220 PT Procedures III 6 credits

PTA 221 PT Procedures IV 4 credits

Clinical Phase Spring Semester

PTA 223 PT Seminar II 3 credits

PTA 224 Clinical Practice II & III 9 credits

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Eligibility Criteria for the PTA Program

• Successful completion of pre-requisite courses in ENG101, BIO105 (Anatomy and Physiology I), MAT 119

(Algebra), PSY 101, and PSY 212 (Developmental Psychology over the Life Span) with a grade of C or

better prior to the application deadline.

• Satisfactory completion of 25 volunteer hours from 2 different settings totaling 50 hours.

PTA Application Process Student who meet the eligibility criteria must complete PTA Program’s Application for review by the PTA

Admissions Committee. The completed application must include the following:

• PTA Program Application Form along with a copies of the student’s unofficial transcripts from all schools

attended, CLEP and AP scores (if applicable), Applicant Acknowledgement Form, personal essay, Volunteer

Verification Logs and 2 sealed Recommendation Forms from the individual supervising your volunteer hours

and/or physical therapy aide work.

o The completed application to be sent to:

Kathleen Wittrock

Division of Allied Sciences

Plainfield Campus, Union County College

232 East Second Street

Plainfield, NJ 07060

[email protected]

• Send all official transcript from all schools attended to the Admission’s Office on the Cranford Campus.

The Admissions Office must perform an official evaluation of transfer credits.

o Please send all official transcripts in sealed envelopes to:

Admissions Office

Union County College

1033 Springfield Avenue

Cranford, NJ 07016

Incomplete applications will not be evaluated for admission into the PTA Program. All completed applications

received between September 1 and October 31st will be reviewed. An admission score will be calculated for each

application, per the attached rubric. Admission into the program is highly competitive. Seating is limited to top

admission candidates.

If there are questions about applying to the College selecting courses or transferring credits please contact a Student

Service Specialist in Student Services Center at the Plainfield Campus at 908-412-3580. After speaking with the

Specialist, students who are still unclear about the admission process should e-mail the program administrative

assistant at [email protected].

Please note:

Students accepted into the clinical phase of the program are required to have health clearance, including drug

testing, by their physician/health care provider in order to participate in clinical phase of the program. In addition,

a criminal background check through the specified vendor is required. Federal and state laws preclude persons with

certain criminal backgrounds from being in contact with children and patients. A felony conviction may affect a

student’s placement in clinic and ability to attain state licensure.

Retention of Application Materials:

Application materials submitted to the PTA program become the property of Union County College and will not be

returned to the applicant. These applications will be archived and will not be resubmitted for future years.

Union County College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

• PTA Program Application Form

• Applicant Acknowledgement Form

• All unofficial transcripts from all schools attended

• CLEP and AP scores (if applicable)

• Personal essay

o The essay should be no more than 2 pages in length, using 12 font size, and double spaced. Please

include your name on each page.

o Essay Topic: Think of the attributes or characteristics that you look for in a health care

professional. Next, identify the qualities that you feel YOU possess, and describe how they will

enhance your role as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

• 2 Volunteer Verification Logs (25 hours from two different physical therapy settings totaling 50 hours)

• 2 sealed Recommendation Forms (attached) from the individual supervising your volunteer hours and/or

physical therapy aide work.

• All official transcripts from all schools attended to be sent to the Admissions Office on the Cranford Campus

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UNION COUNTY COLLEGE APPLICATION FORM

DATE

Please print

APPLICANT NAME

ADDRESS

TELEPHONE HOME

CELL

EMAIL

UCC STUDENT ID

(if applicable)

ACADEMIC WORK List the High school you attended and chronologically, every College, University, or Professional school that you

attended or are attending. Enclose unofficial transcripts from each school with the completed application and send

official transcripts to the Admission’s Office on the Cranford Campus. Do not enclose high school transcript if 12

or more College credits have been completed.

Name of Institution City & State From To

(Month & Year)

Degree Earned

& Date

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ACADEMIC RECORD Please complete the following information.

Semester Date

Completed

Grade Institution Name

English Comp I

English Comp II

Anatomy & Physiology I

Anatomy & Physiology II

Psychology 101

College Algebra

(4 credits)

Psychology Adulthood &

Aging

DOCUMENTATION

Please identify the names and contact information of the 2 professionals (supervisors) who will be filling out the

recommendation forms and verifying the volunteer hours.

NAME OF FACILITY #1

NAME OF SUPERVISOR &

TITLE

SUPERVISOR TELEPHONE

ADDRESS OF FACILITY

NAME OF FACILITY #2


TITLE


ADDRESS OF FACILITY

I certify that the foregoing information made by me are true and accurate. I understand that if any of the

information made by me is willfully false, my application will be voided.

Applicant Signature: ___________________________________________________________________________

Date:______________________

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APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

(To be completed by the applicant and submitted with the completed application form)

APPLICANT NAME:__________________________________________________________________________

Complete the items below and give the enclosed reference grid check off sheet to the individuals providing the

verification of this experience. For your supervisors’ convenience, you should provide a stamped self-addressed

envelope. Have the evaluator complete the recommendation form in a sealed envelope with their signature across

the seal. No recommendations will be accepted without a full signature across the seal.

I give my permission for the information below to be released to the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Union

County College. This information is to be included in my application portfolio.

Applicant’s Signature: Date:

Right of Access

The Federal Family Education rights &V Privacy Act of 1974 gives students the right to access their records. It is

your option to waive your right to access. Please mark the appropriate phrase below indicating your choice and

sign your name.

_______I DO waive my right to review this recommendation.

_______I DO NOT waive my right to review this recommendation.


Physical Therapist Assistant Handbook

I have read the Physical Therapist Assistant Handbook and understand the programs expectations, goals and

objectives as well as the program policies and procedures.


Performance Essentials

I have read the Performance Essentials Document in the PTA Program Handbook and believe that I can fulfill these

functions with or without reasonable accommodation as outlined in this document. (Please sign below to

acknowledge your understanding of these performance essentials.)


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VOLUNTEER LOG SHEET

FACILITY NAME:____________________________________________________

APPLICANT NAME _________________________________________

Date Time In Time Out Total Hours Supervisor’s

Initials

Total Hours

Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor:________________________________Date_________________

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VOLUNTEER LOG SHEET

FACILITY NAME:____________________________________________________

APPLICANT NAME _________________________________________

Date Time In Time Out Total Hours Supervisor’s

Initials

Total Hours

Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor:________________________________Date_________________

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Recommendation Form

(to be completed by the Supervisor)

APPLICANT NAME _______________________________________________

The above named applicant has applied to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College. The

Admissions Committee is reviewing individuals whose accomplishments, personal attributes, and abilities have the

greatest potential for physical therapist assistant education and practice. We appreciate your candid and objective

assessment of the student’s qualifications.

COMPLETE ONLY IF THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION FOR A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FIVE

HOURS.

RETURN TO APPLICANT IN A SEALED ENVELOPE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE ACROSS THE BACK OF THE SEAL

Thank you in advance for your efforts,

Admissions Committee

NAME OF FACILITY


TITLE


ADDRESS OF FACILITY

Describe the activities the applicant observed and performed:

Additional Comments:

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Please check the appropriate boxes below that best describe the candidate as compared to other students at this

level. Complete the reverse side of this form.

Skill Outstanding Excellent Good Average Below

Average

No Basis

for

Judgement

Commitment to Learning

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Professional and Responsibility

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Use of Constructive Feedback

Effective use of Time and Resource

Stress Management

Cooperation, Rapport, Sensitivity

I □ Strongly Recommend □ Recommend □ Recommend with Reservations □ Do not recommend this

applicant

List the Applicant’s Strengths:

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List the Applicant’s Weaknesses:


Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor:__________________________________________________________

Date:________________

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Recommendation Form

(to be completed by the Supervisor)

APPLICANT NAME _______________________________________________

The above named applicant has applied to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College. The

Admissions Committee is reviewing individuals whose accomplishments, personal attributes, and abilities have the

greatest potential for physical therapist assistant education and practice. We appreciate your candid and objective

assessment of the student’s qualifications.

COMPLETE ONLY IF THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION FOR A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FIVE

HOURS.

RETURN TO APPLICANT IN A SEALED ENVELOPE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE ACROSS THE BACK OF THE SEAL

Thank you in advance for your efforts,

Admissions Committee

NAME OF FACILITY


TITLE


ADDRESS OF FACILITY

Describe the activities the applicant observed and performed:


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Please check the appropriate boxes below that best describe the candidate as compared to other students at this

level. Complete the reverse side of this form.

Skill Outstanding Excellent Good Average Below

Average

No Basis

for

Judgement








Stress Management


I □ Strongly Recommend □ Recommend □ Recommend with Reservations □ Do not recommend this

applicant

List the Applicant’s Strengths:

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List the Applicant’s Weaknesses:


Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor:__________________________________________________________

Date:________________

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Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Admission Criteria Rubric *For PTA Admission Committee use only*

ASSIGNED STUDENT NUMBER

TOTAL ADMISSIONS SCORE

Biology 105 GPA

Total points x 45%=

Prerequisite GPA

Total points x 35%=

Personal Essay

Total points x 10%=

Bio105 Grade

Points

A 50

B+ 40

B 30

C+ 20

C 10

Course Grade

MAT 119

ENG 101

PSY 101

PSY 212

Average

GPA

GPA POINTS

4.0 – 3.7 30

3.6 – 3.3 25

3.2 – 3.0 20

2.9 – 2.7 15

2.6 – 2.5 10

0

Very Poor

2

Below Average

4

Average

6

Above

Average

8

Excellent

Content Focus

Organization

Vocabulary

Mechanics, Format

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Recommendation 1 Skill Outstanding

5

Excellent

4

Good

3

Average

2

Below

Average

1

No Basis

for

Judgement








Stress Management


Total points x 5%=

Recommendation 2 Skill Outstanding

5

Excellent

4

Good

3

Average

2

Below

Average

1

No Basis

for

Judgement








Stress Management


Total points x 5%=

Documents

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM MISSION …€¦ · Psy 101 General Psychology 3 credits Psy 212 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 3 credits At the completion of all prerequisite