231
PROGRAM INFORMATION
PTA Program Applications may be picked up in the Health Sciences Division Office J-210
or downloaded from the Darton State College website @
Deadline for all PTA application material to be turned in is June 1
st
of each year.
To be considered for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, the applicant
must:
1. Be admitted to Darton State College
2. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or a 3.0 GPA or
higher for the last 40 credit hours attempted.
3. Have all prerequisite coursework completed with a grade of “C” or higher prior to
the start date of the Fall Semester to which they are applying. Prerequisites
should be completed within five years of the date of application. Prerequisites
completed more than five years prior to the date of application are subject to
approval by the PTA Selection Committee.
4. Complete the PTA application packet including:
a. Application for admission to the PTA program
b. Prerequisite Information Form
c. Documentation of at least 40 hours of observational experience in one
or more physical therapy settings. Hours should be verified by the
signature of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant on the
“Observational Hours/Recommendation Form” found in the application
packet.
d. HOBET V scores
One class per year will be selected and will begin each Fall Semester. Application
packets which are incomplete or are received after June 1
st
may not be considered.
Preliminary selection criteria, including GPA and observational hours completed, are
ranked by the PTA Selection Committee. All applicants who meet the admission criteria
will be invited for a personal interview. Offers of acceptance will be made based on the
final ranking of those interviewed.
Due to the fact that prerequisites for Physical Therapy programs are different,
graduation from a PTA program is not a “stepping-stone” and will not prepare the student
for entry into a Physical Therapy professional education program. Students wishing to
pursue a career as a physical therapist should enroll as a Health Science major in the
Health Sciences Division.