Program Description:
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program will provide the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform as a competent, safe, and ethical PTA. The students will learn and apply techniques that will improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities to patients in clinical settings. Graduates from this program will be eligible to take their national licensure exam. FNU grants an Associate of Science upon completion.
Program Requirements (77 Credits)
General Education (27 Credits)
Student Life Skills (1 Credit)
English and Communications (6 Credits)
Humanities (3 Credits)
Social Science (3 Credits)
Natural Sciences (8 Credits)
Mathematics (3 Credits)
Information Literacy (3 credits)
| CGS 1030 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
Lower Level Requirements (7 Credits)
Core Requirements (43 Credits)
This program is not designed for transfer to a senior institution.
PTA students are required to wear Green FNU Polo shirt, khaki pants and sneakers at all times. Students must furnish their own uniforms.
All students must have liability insurance and must complete all seminars (BLS, OSHA, HIV, and HIPPA) in order to participate in the clinical practicums.
All students must undergo level 2 federal and AHCA background checks in order to participate in the clinical practicums.
Students must complete 630 hours of clinical practice.
PHT 1001 is a Mandatory course for entering the core courses .
+All PTA core courses will include a $20 lab fee (except PHT 2501 and PHT 2931).
++PHT 2942 will include a $500 clinical fee.
Program Accreditation Status:
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Florida National University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (305) 821-3333 ext. 1051 or email ptaprogram@fnu.edu.
Admission and Academic Requirements
A prospective student must meet all admission requirements predetermined by Florida National University. In addition, the requirements for admission to the PTA Program are as follows:
- Attend the PTA program Information session.
- Complete Florida National University’s Admission Application (please refer to the FNU University Catalog page 23) and return to Admissions Representative.
- Students must score 19 or greater on the ACT, 880 or greater on the SAT or be placed no lower than ENC 1101 and/or MAC 1105 on the College Success exam.
- All applicants must request official academic transcripts from high school and/or colleges and forward them to the Campus Registrar.
- Have at minimum an overall 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite courses (including no less than a “B” in Intro to Physical Therapy, and all science and math courses).
- Complete PTA program application and checklist (included in the application packet)
- Present journal documentation of 25 hours of observation of a physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant in a clinic, facility or hospital. Supervising clinician signature is required. (Form included in application packet).
- Complete the ETS Profile Proficiency and HEIghten Written Communication exams scoring at minimum 411 and 155 respectively.
- Provide three official and unopened personal reference forms. (Forms included in application packet)
- One Employer reference
- One Observation hours’ reference
- Complete on-site written assignment
- Submit signed Technical Standards form.
- Complete a Level 2 Federal & AHCA Background Check.
- Complete an Interview with the PTA Program Faculty
Due to the rigorous nature of the program, it is strongly recommended that applicants plan ahead financially for their 12 months in the program. The student is responsible for all transportation necessary for travel to and from the hospitals/clinics/facilities for clinical experiences. Attendance at all scheduled classes, laboratories and clinical practicums are enforced; each one of those meetings is an essential component to the applicant’s successful progress in the program. Working while in the program is not recommended. This is a full-time daytime curriculum which requires student’s time and concentration. Even the exceptional student will find it difficult to work and still maintain a high quality of academic work. Program and clinical assignments will not be altered to fit an individual’s work schedule.
All applicants admitted into the PTA program will be required to complete a physical examination and provide a complete immunization record. In addition, a complete local and level 2 federal and AHCA background checks will be required in conjunction with clinical facility required drug testing. Positive results on the background screening or drug testing could impact a student’s chances of attending their clinical rotations, completing the program requirements, or gaining a license to work upon graduation. The cost of required physical examinations, immunizations, background checks and drug testing will be borne by the student. Students accepted into the program will be provided with specific details regarding all required documentation for the PTA Program at the PTA Orientation.