Physical Therapist Assistant Admission Information

Is the PTA Program very difficult to get into? 
Yes. This is a selective admissions process; the student with the most qualifications earned with points will be offered a seat in the program. Please note, per state regulations, students are NOT allowed to repeat previously passed courses more than once. If a course was failed, then the maximum attempt is three times to report a course. There are only 24 positions in the program and the applicant pool exceeds that.

When is your application deadline? 
March 1 of each year.

Do I have to take the SAT, ACT, HESI or TEAS?
No.

Where do I go for observation? 
It is the applicant's responsibility to contact a local PT department to arrange for this observation. Most area physical therapy departments are accustomed to student volunteers and will help you in obtaining these observation hours. All applicants are required to do a total of 40 hours of observation. Any facility or home health agency is appropriate as long as you observe a licensed PT or PTA at work.

Is there a form for the Observation hours? 

Yes. You may use the Hours of Observation Form on this page under Important Forms. You may also use the form from the facility you observe at if they have one. Make sure to have the PT or PTA sign the paper verifying the information is correct.

Is there a form for references to complete? 
Yes. Use the Recommendation Form on this page under Important Forms. Three of these must be completed and at least one must be from a licensed PT or PTA. 

Do I have to apply for Admission to San Jacinto College and the PTA program? Are these separate? 
Yes, you must apply for Admission to San Jacinto College. This must be completed in the semester prior to applying for Admissions to the program (i.e. Fall Semester.)

Do you have many non-traditional students in the program? 
Yes, the PTA program has both male and female students of varying ages, cultural backgrounds, family dynamics and work situations.

Is there a limit on how many times I can take Human Anatomy Physiology I & II? 
Yes, there is a three attempt lifetime maximum for Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II. If you have attempted these courses more than three times and not earned a passing grade, your application will not be accepted.

If I want to reapply for the program, what should I do?
Many students reapply and we encourage you to do so. You will need to complete a new application with all new documents and note on your application that you are reapplying.

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Which campus offers the PTA program? 
Only the South Campus has the PTA program. However, pre-requisite coursework may be completed at any San Jac's four campuses or an accredited college or university.

Do you offer this program at night? 
No. The PTHA courses listed in the Curriculum are offered only as day classes; however, you can take pre-requisite and other courses at night, on weekends, on the Internet, etc.

When does your program start?
The incoming class of students begins each fall semester.

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Is the job market good? 
The Houston job market is excellent at this time. ~100% of our graduates in the last five years were employed within six months - one year of graduation. 

What is the starting salary? 
Salary information can be found at the United States Bureau of https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312021.htm

How physical is the job? 
The duties of a PTA are typically very physical in nature. Pushing, kneeling, lifting and walking are routine activities. See the PTA Student Handbook on this page under Essential Guides. 

How would clinical placements impact my ability to work throughout the program? 
The program is extremely rigorous; therefore working whilst in the program is discouraged. There are three (3) clinical rotations that you will need to complete. They are full time for five or seven weeks as outlined in the Curriculum portion of the brochure. The clinical hours could possibly include evenings and weekends depending on the schedule of your Clinical Instructor and/or facility.

If I have all the non-PTHA classes completed prior to the start of the program, can I finish the PTHA courses in one year versus two? 
No, the PTHA courses must be taken in order, which will take five semesters.

Do any of the required non-PTHA classes have to be taken within a certain time period? 
No, there is no time limit to when any of the non-PTHA classes need to have been taken as long as they are equivalent and reflected accordingly on your transcript.

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