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Physical Therapist Assistant - Application Information

2011 Physical Therapist Assistant Information and Forms Packet * (.pdf)

(* requires Adobe Reader to view)

Before You Apply

Learn More about the Career

In addition to information in the catalog and on the program web site, video information about practice settings and skills can be found at http://www.careervoyages.gov/healthcare-videos.cfm under ‘Physical Therapist Assistant’.  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has produced a video, “You Can Be Me”, and it is available at http://www.beapt.org.  Additional information is available through APTA Student Resources.

Read the Application

Enroll in the Academic Advising for Physical Therapist Assistant Moodle Course

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to self-enroll in a free Academic Advising Resource using Moodle.  Academic planning and careful work is recommended. Please email questions to PTAProgram@lanecc.edu. Health Professions Counselors and Advisors are available to help you determine what you need to do to meet program or application requirements. 

Confirm Oregon Residency

Currently admission to the Lane PTA Program is limited to Oregon Residents

Plan for Time Commitment and Computer Skills

Before applying, students must complete a minimum of 25 hours of observation in a physical therapy setting and pre-requisite courses for a grade.  More information about obtaining observation hours is available at: Observation Code of Conduct for Potential PTA Students.  Incomplete applications or requests for application exceptions are not considered.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a two-year concentrated program which has a significant amount of on-line, computer-based instruction.  A successful student must have good reading, time management and study skills.  Course materials, group activities, class discussions, and instructor office hours are primarily available through the internet.  You must be comfortable with instructional technology when you start the PTA program.  Lane currently uses Moodle for instructional technology.

PTA students spend an average of 32+ hours a week completing course-related assignments and activities.  Attendance in laboratory courses is mandatory.  Students should expect to attend supervised and open-lab sessions to achieve course learning outcomes.

In the second year, PTA students must complete three, six-week full time (4-5 days per week, 7-8 hours per day) of clinical instruction.  Students may have to travel to more than 90 miles from the college campus in order to complete these program requirements for graduation.  There are no accommodations for outside employment or other individual student commitments which are outside of program requirements.

Review Program of Study and Essential Abilities for a PTA

Demonstrate Readiness for Clinical Instruction

Our agreements with hospitals, private clinics, and nursing homes require students complete a criminal background check.  If you have concerns about any past criminal history may impact readiness for clinical instruction, you should contact the Program Coordinator before you apply.

Students must show proof of immunity to certain diseases and proof of health insurance prior to enrolling in PTA courses.  Students must complete required immunizations to participate in clinical education.

Review Program Costs

In addition to regular tuition and fees, students pay additional fees for health insurance, pre-enrollment physical examination, required immunizations, criminal background checks, laboratory costs, supplies, and books.

In 2009-2010, PTA laboratory courses were assessed an additional $189 differential and $134 supply fee respectively.  Although not required, many students choose to bring a personal laptop or netbook computer equipped with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) while in the lab to access Moodle and for note taking. 

Explore Student Resources

To help students succeed, Academic Learning Skills offers Effective Learning (EL115H): a credit class focused on study skills for students in health careers programs.  Tutoring Services offers one-on-one tutoring in a variety of subject areas at no cost to students.

Lane’s transfer tool will indicate if a course you took at another college/university will transfer as equivalent to a course offered at Lane.

Program degree requirements are published in the Lane Catalog.  You will need  Adobe Reader to view the degree information.  Detailed course descriptions can be searched by course number using the Lane On-Line Catalog Course Descriptions search feature.