Physical Therapist Assistant

St. Louis Community College's PTA program was established in 1984 and is the oldest PTA program in the St. Louis metropolitan area. It is a well-established, affordable program with an excellent pass rate. The program has a very low attrition rate and a high licensure exam pass rates.

Many of the professional courses in the second year of the program require additional hours in the afternoon for completion of practical evaluation. See the program director for specific questions regarding scheduling of courses.

Once admitted to the program, science and professional courses must be taken, as outlined, in the proper sequence and within the prescribed time frame. See the semester-by-semester plan.

Students from the STLCC PTA program have received the Outstanding Missouri Student Physical Therapist Assistant award for seven years since 2013. This affirms the quality of program and the students it produces.

Because of the heavy academic and clinical load, students should not anticipate holding full-time jobs while enrolled in the program.

Each year, 32 students are accepted on a first come – first serve basis. Of that 32, five positions are available for potential priority admission for individuals who already have earned a bachelor’s degree.

In order to facilitate the entry of students in the available spaces, a waiting list is used. A student is placed on the waiting list once program application prerequisites have been met and a program application has been submitted. Placement on the waiting list is based solely on the date of application. Students will be sent a letter each fall while on the list asking for their intentions to pursue admission to the program. Failure to respond to this letter by the deadline will result in removal from the list. Letters will be sent in the spring to those being offered admission to the program in the fall semester. All those receiving letters must attend a mandatory program orientation scheduled in late April/early May.

The PTA program is a selective admission, college-level program. Students must have successfully completed specific requirements prior to application, including:

• high school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.5
• minimum placement test scores or successful completion of specific courses
• successful completion of “Anatomy & Physiology I” or Biology 207 within the last five years

The Associate in Applied Science degree for Physical Therapist Assistant is not equivalent to the first two years of a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.

Credits that transfer: STLCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program has established an articulation agreement with Maryville University for the benefit of students who wish to continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Practice Management, or a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.

PTA Program Admission Requirements

In compliance with St. Louis Community College policies, the PTA program is committed to nondiscrimination with respect to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Becoming a physical therapist assistant requires the completion of a technical education program that is both intellectually and physically challenging.

PTA program Technical Standards

The student can expect to incur some fees/expenses while enrolled in the PTA program and upon graduation. While enrolled these fees include, but are not limited to:

Maintenance fees for pre-requisite, general education, and PTA courses:

• In District -

  $122/credit hour

• Out of district -

  $171/credit hour

• Out of state -

  $233/credit hour

Textbooks and course materials: Students are expected to purchase the required textbooks and course materials for PTA courses each semester. These can cost anywhere from $300-$800 per year.

Health insurance: All PTA students are required to carry personal health insurance during the second year of the program at your expense. Students are also required to have liability insurance each semester for clinicals which is covered by the college through tuition fees.

Castlebranch Compliance Tracker: Required for the student to upload PTA program paperwork requirements. The cost is $27.50.

Family Care Safety Registry: Required for placement at clinical sites. Will cost approximately $15.

Criminal background check: Required for placement at clinical sites. Will cost approximately $14 and up depending on the number of states you’ve lived in.

Drug screen: Required for placement at clinical sites. Approximately $35.

PTA program shirt/ lab coat/uniform: PTA program shirts are strongly recommended for off-site labs, field trips, skills practical checkouts, etc. they are $25. Some clinical sites require a lab coat, uniform or scrubs that you would be responsible for acquiring.

Clinical Education Expenses: Students are responsible for potential expenses related to of clinical activities (i.e. gas, transportation costs, housing if applicable, etc.)

APTA Membership: Student membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a requirement for the final semester of the program. Joining the organization will entitle you to journals, communications, special conference, programs, etc. It will keep you informed of important legal, ethical and practical issues and guide you in your professional growth. Several of our graduates have been honored by the Missouri Physical Therapy Association. Cost for student membership is $100.

For 2022, the total cost of the program was estimated at $9,288 in-district and $12,620 out of district for two years taking all courses in the curriculum.

After graduation:

Licensure Examination: Examination and processing costs will be approximately $600.

Licensure fees: Maintaining your license will be approximately $50 every two years.

Financial Aid Information

• St. Louis Community College provides a comprehensive financial aid program funded by federal, state and private agencies.
• STLCC provides a Cost Calculator to help students estimate costs.
• For information on STLCC Scholarships
• FAFSA

All PTA students must maintain satisfactory progress toward their educational goals. Satisfactory progress will be determined based on the grading system and policies stated in the PTA Program Handbook that is distributed at orientation.

Letter grades will be used to indicate student performance for each course. Students will be provided an update on grades at midterm and end of course.

Students must complete all academic courses (general education requirements, biology courses, and PTA courses) before progressing to the Level II clinical education courses (PTA 216: Clinical Education IIA and PTA 217: Clinical Education IIB).

Retention Policy:

Students must earn a "C" (74%) or above in all PTA and biology courses and maintain an overall G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (C).

Students receiving a "D" or below 74% in PTA or biology courses must repeat these courses. Only one repeat is allowed. The student may not enroll in a course more than two times without an appeal to the Selection and Retention committee. If repeating these courses puts a student out of the program sequence, the student will be able to continue at a later date only if space is available.

No PTA course may be repeated more than once, or enrolled in more than twice without review by the retention committee.

Students may only repeat/re-enroll in PTA courses on a space available basis.

More information regarding specific classroom and clinical education grading policies is available in the student handbook which is distributed at orientation.

Graduation Rates

Two-year averages for 2021-2022 = 89.5%

Licensure Rates

Two-year averages for 2021-2022 = 97.5%
First-time pass rate average for graduation years 2021-2022 = 78%

Employment Rates

Two-year averages for 2021-2022 = 100%

Waiting List Information:
stlcc-physicaltherapist@stlcc.edu

Academic Advising:
314-539-5465 or advising@stlcc.edu

Admissions:
Forest Park
314-539-5005 or fp-admissions@stlcc.edu