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Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA Program '20

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM

  • Beginning with a vision in 2016, Northwest Mississippi Community College sought to expand its current health science offerings to better serve the students in the territories served by the college.  Over a time period of 2.5 years, Northwest Mississippi Community College has committed time and efforts with the anticipation of developing the Physical Therapist Assistant program. 

NOTE: This program will only be offered during the day at the Senatobia location (Main Campus).

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national data for the years of 2020-2030, Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant jobs are numbered at 239,200 and 140,500 and are expected to increase by 21% and 35%, respectively.  This growth trend is much faster than the average for all occupations in the BLS database (2022). 
  • In accordance to the bylaws in the State of Mississippi, a Physical Therapist can supervise four Assistants at a time (MSBPT, 2017). 
  • PTA is listed as #16 on the list of fastest growing occupations, nationally (BLS, 2022).  Northwest Mississippi has invested significant time and efforts in planning/developing of a Physical Therapist Assistant Program at the college, with the process still ongoing. With the steadily increasing numbers of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, it is expected that the need for physical therapy services will continue to rise.
     

REQUIREMENTS

  • NWCC Application
  • PTA Application (Applicants will be able to access the application here.  Applications open on December 1 - March 31st of each year.)
  • ACT Score of 18, must also qualify to take or have taken College Algebra
  • High school diploma or GED/HiSET equivalency 
  • There are no academic requirements to apply for this program. 
  • If you would like to receive academic credit for previously taken courses, the following is required:
    • 2.0 or higher in all academic courses with the exception of 3.0 or higher in Anatomy & Physiology I/II Lecture and Lab is REQUIRED to remain in the program. (Academic courses may be taken within the first year of the program.  See Curriculum and Projected Schedule below for more information.)
    • Note: To be accepted as academic credit, the following courses must have been taken within the last five years (prior to the start date of the program) with a score of “B” or higher:
      - Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab (BIO 2513/2511)
      - Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab (BIO 2523/2521)
      Note: To be accepted as academic credit, the following courses must have been taken within the last five years (prior to the start date of the program) with a score of “C” or higher:
      - Medical Terminology I (BOT 1613)
      - Medical Terminology II (BOT 1623) 
      - Personal and Community Health (HPR 1213)
      **Special circumstances to be considered

  • At least 20 Volunteer/Observation Hours
  • An objective scoring tool will be utilized for student applications
  • Must be 18 years or older at start of course
  • Applicants who have been enrolled in another PTA program must be eligible to return to that program and must provide a letter of good standing from the PTA program attended in order to be considered for the NWCC PTA Program.
  • Applicants with two withdrawals or failures from any other PTA program/course are not eligible for admission to the NWCC PTA Program for three years from the date of the last PTA course taken.
  • HESI A2 Entrance Exam (Access for assessment will be provided after applicant is deemed eligible for admission to the developing PTA program.)
  • Applicants tentatively admitted to the PTA program must pass a Background Check and Drug Screen before admission.

 

The NWCC Physical Therapist Assistant program has not made a determination on whether the degree meets the state educational requirements for other US States, Territories, or the District of Columbia. Additional information on Physical Therapist Assistant licensure as it relates to other states can be found on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy web site