Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is offered cooperatively between the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Upon satisfactory completion of the two-year program, the student will be awarded the Associate in Applied Science Degree by Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Sayre). All of the Technical Occupational Specialty courses are conducted at the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for the licensing examination given by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. Once licensed, the PTA may become involved in a number of specialties such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, acute care, rehabilitation, and teaching.

Prerequisites for Admission

Class Schedule 

Admissions

Applicants must meet requirements for admission to Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

A separate application must be made for admission to the PTA program.

Admission to SWOSU does not guarantee admission to the PTA program. The PTA admission will be quantitatively determined by the following factors:

• Meet SWOSU admission requirements
• Grade point average minimum of 2.7 (4.00 scale) in all college level work attempted with a minimum grade of "C" for all prerequisite courses
• Performance in technical support*
• 40 observational hours with a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant (required form)
• Place of residence
• Reference letters
• Previous experience
• Results of personal interview

*Applicants will be awarded one point per technical support course prerequisite taken at SWOSU for up to 5 points. Please note that all technical support courses must have been taken within the past seven years from the date of application.

Background Check
In accordance with the Oklahoma Hospital Association, all accepted students must undergo a criminal background check. This check must be passed to be eligible for admittance into the program.

Employment Opportunities

Physical Therapist Assistants held 82,000 jobs in 1998*. They work alongside physical therapists in a variety of settings. Over two-thirds of all assistants work in hospitals or offices of physical therapists. Others work in nursing and personal care facilities, outpatient rehabilitation centers, offices and clinics of physicians, and home health agencies. Employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average through the year 2008 (As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2000 – 2001.)

Over the long run, demand for physical therapist assistants will continue to rise, with growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function. Furthermore, as a consequence of society's increasing participation in sports and fitness activities, more physical therapy professionals will be needed in the health care system to treat and help prevent knee, leg, back, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal injuries. The rapidly growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. Additionally, future medical developments should permit an increased percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating added demand for therapy services.
 

Accreditation

The program is nationally accredited through the American Physical Therapy Association. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 66,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. For more information on the organization use the following information: