Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

After successfully completing this program, you will have the ability to:

• Performs in a safe manner that minimizes risk to patients, self, and others.
• Demonstrates professional behaviors that create a positive, inclusive, and productive working environment in all situations.
• Adheres to established legal standards, standards of the profession, proper use of support personnel, fiscal responsibilities, and ethical guidelines.
• Adapts delivery of PT services to ensure equity through consideration for patients’ differences, values, preferences, and needs.
• Communicates in ways that are congruent with situational needs.
• Participates in self-assessment and develops plans to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors throughout lifetime.
• Demonstrates clinical problem solving when determining patient status, changes in patient status, patient data collection, and need for plan of care modification and or need for other services.
• Performs quality PT interventions in a technically competent manner
• Produces quality documentation in a timely manner to support the delivery of PT services.
• Manages resources by participating in the efficient delivery of PT services

Ready to start your journey? Learn about the prerequisites and coursework in our catalog. Get started on your path to success.

Degree Requirements

Chart your course to a fulfilling career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Explore the program roadmap in our catalog. Your journey begins here.

Program Map

The PTA Program employs a competitive application process to select candidates for admission. Applications are due each December 1st for the cohort that begins the following August. Applicants are encouraged to meet with a School of Health Sciences advisor before applying. All communication regarding your application from the School of Health Sciences and the PTA Program will be sent to your TCC email. Please note that acceptance to TCC does not guarantee admission to the PTA Program. To enroll in the TCC PTA Program, students must receive clearance through a drug screening and a criminal background check, which includes checking the sex offender registry.

1. Apply to TCC (Acceptance to TCC does not guarantee admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program).
2. Apply to the Program.
3. Submit all official transcripts to TCC and ACT Test Scores to records@tulsacc.edu.
4. Monitor your TCC email for confirmation of a completed application and information about your selection status.

For additional information, please contact the School of Health Sciences at 918-595-7002.

Program Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Minimum ACT composite score of 15.
• Ability to commute to local and distant clinical sites.

Following the review of applicants' academic history, qualified candidates will receive notification of their progress in the selection process via TCC email. This process includes an interview, a writing assignment, and participation in clinical observation experiences to complete the application. Accepted applicants will be notified of their admission into the PTA program by April 15 via TCC email.

An extensive criminal background check, including but not limited to a seven-year county of residence nationwide criminal history check, national sexual predator screening, Social Security check, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud screening, is required by all clinical affiliates. All Health Sciences students participating in clinicals must complete these background checks, immunizations, and a drug screening test by the Department of Allied Health office's deadline before the first clinical rotation. Any positive findings may undergo review by the clinical affiliates and could potentially prevent students from fulfilling clinical requirements.

English Language Proficiency

An official iBT® TOEFL (internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) test score or an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Band score is required as proof of English proficiency for any international student for whom English is a second language and is applying to any Tulsa Community College health sciences program. Students who have graduated from a U.S. high school will not be required to take the iBT TOEFL or IELTS tests. Your scores must be current within 2 years of the semester for which you are applying.

For health sciences students, the minimum sub-scores on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT®) are 21 for Writing, 24 for Speaking, 20 for Reading, and 20 for Listening, with a total minimum score of 85.

For students choosing the IELTS test, acceptable scores include: 6.5 for Reading, 6.5 for Listening, 7.5 for Speaking, and 6 for Writing, for a total IELTS Band score of 6.5. These required minimum scores must be met for each of the four sub-tests on a single exam. A total score that does not meet the sub-score minimums does not meet the requirement. Exceptions to this policy may be considered on an individual basis.

Students must visit ETS website to find a TOEFL iBT testing site, register, and pay for the test. Students can also go to the IELTS website to find an IELTS testing center, register, and pay for the test. Both tests cost approximately $190. Students are strongly encouraged to take practice tests to prepare for these important tests. Your official scores, including all sub-scores, must be sent directly to the TCC Registrar's Office.

TCC's curriculum is tailored to fulfill pre-education requirements for licensure/certification in Oklahoma. While designed for state licensure exams, students considering other states should review relevant professional licensure disclosures and consult with the respective licensing board. State boards determine eligibility for licensure based on current rules when applying.

Explore our Professional Licensure Disclosures for comprehensive details on licensing requirements and certifications. Your informed career journey starts here.

The data applies to students experiencing the program in academic year 2023–2024. Length of Program which includes all student instruction/interaction (including classroom, laboratory, exams, and clinical education).

Include the total number of weeks where either full or partial attendance is required.

• Length of Program in Weeks excluding breaks: 76
• Length of Program in Weeks including breaks: 86

Clinical Education

Does this program have a requirement for all students to complete at least one clinical education experience for which the students need to seek alternative housing or travel accommodations to attend: YES

Note: Students are responsible for costs associated with housing, travel, and food during clinical education. Programs should add any additional comments about clinical education here.

Please email TCC PTA Program Director for details.

Student Costs

Note: These are costs experienced by students in the Fall 2023 – August 2024 academic year. Annual costs are estimates and subject to increases. Students should contact the program for further information related to costs.

Note: We encourage students to explore the cost of living for areas where they may choose to live.

• The institution offers financial assistance specific to PTA students: NO
• The program/institution offers scholarships specific to PTA students: YES
• The program offers federal work-study positions specific to PTA students: NO

Note: Other opportunities may exist at the institution for FINANCIAL SUPPORT — please contact the program for further information.

We encourage APTA student members to visit the APTA Financial Solutions Center.

Student Debt Summary

Average student debt from the PTA Program technical phase for students who graduated between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023: $5,063.28    

Average student debt after completing the PTA program for students who graduated between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Include all student loan debt: $8,892.39     
 

• PTA Mission Statement Goals & Competencies
• PTA Informed Consent
• PTA Essential Functions & Technical Standards
• PTA Application Scoring
• PTA Program Financial Fact Sheet

For concerns or complaints related to the TCC PTA Program, please contact us:

School of Health Sciences
TCC Metro Campus
909 S. Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119

Melanie Heffington, PT, DPT
PTA Program Director and Associate Professor
918-595-3423
melanie.heffington@tulsacc.edu

Jenny Fields, DNP, RN
Dean
918-595-7198
jenny.fields@tulsacc.edu

All complaints will be handled consistently and equitably without retaliation, regardless of the complainant's identity.

Concerns or complaints related to the program and accreditation can also be filed with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Additionally, incidents, complaints, or concerning behavior at TCC can be reported through Report It!.

The PTA Program at TCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), located at 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia, 22305-3085. You can reach them by telephone at 703-706-3245 or via email at accreditation@apta.org. Visit the CAPTE website for more information.

If you need to contact the program or institution directly, please call 918-595-7002 or email melanie.heffington@tulsacc.edu.