Information Packet

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Santa Fe College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org ; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical, musculoskeletal or neuromuscular dysfunction, injury, or disease that limits their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs should be able to stand, walk, and physically assist patients for up to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. Daily duties of a PTA may include teaching and assisting patients and caregivers to perform exercises that improve balance, endurance, strength and coordination. PTAs also work with patients to promote walking, use of prosthetic or assistive devices, functional mobility, wellness and activities of daily living. Physical Therapy Assisting also includes wound care and the use of physical agents such as heat, ice, ultrasound, laser, and electrical stimulation to promote tissue healing and/or pain relief, as well as medical chart documentation and communication with other healthcare providers, patients and community members.

The US Department of Labor projects a 41% increase in demand for physical therapy providers in the next 8 years.

PTAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practice, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and specialty settings. Average salary range is $42,000 -54,000/year.

Graduation from a Physical Therapist Assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the national licensure examination (NPTAE) in all states. The CAPTE address is 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA) is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the PTA program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disability Resource Center.  Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disability Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.

Professional Appearance - Students must abide by specific professional appearance requirements while in the program. These requirements have been agreed upon by SF College and its clinical partners. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Completely shaved or bald styles are acceptable; however, no partially shaved or one-sided haircuts are permitted. Visible tattoos must be covered at all times. Visible body piercings are not allowed and earlobe gauges must be covered. Earrings are limited to one stud-style pair per ear. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short. Artificial nails, nail polish, jewelry, watches and perfume are not permitted. 

Santa Fe College is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ;marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public.  Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to Jasmine Gibbs, Equity Officer and Title IX Coordinator, 3000 NW 83rds St, R-Annex, Room 113, Gainesville, Florida 32606, 352-395-5950, equity.officer@sfcollege.edu.

Immunization Advisory:

Because all clinical affiliates require immunizations, all students must demonstrate immunity for a variety of pathogens in order to participate in clinical education. Pregnant and immunocompromised individuals are advised their immune status may be altered. This may affect being able to fulfill program entry or participation requirements. Any applicant who has been selected to the program that is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is immunocompromised must advise the Health Sciences Counseling Office for further information and/or requirements. Individuals who are pregnant or immunocompromised should seek expert advice from their health care provider so that they may receive information to make an informed decision regarding their exposure to infectious diseases in the health care field. A statement from the student's health care provider, noting that the student may proceed through the program with "no limitations", will be required of all pregnant or immunocompromised students.  The Program's operational and procedural guidelines for students are found in the Student Handbook. A copy, including the pregnancy policy, is available for review in the Health Sciences Administration Office located in W building, room 201.  (updated February 2017)

Latex Advisory:

The use of latex/latex based products may exist in health care universal precautions and in environments such as, but not limited to: classrooms and training labs, hospitals, nursing care facilities, laboratories, clinical areas and medical/dental offices. Individuals with latex allergies should seek expert advice from their health care provider so that they may receive information to make an informed decision regarding their exposure to latex in the health care field.

Flu Vaccination Advisory:

All students enrolled in a Health Sciences Program with clinical components must receive an annual flu vaccination.

A two-part state and national background screening will be conducted upon acceptance to the program. Students must be free of offenses that may disqualify them from participating in a health care program. This includes active probation, active protection orders against them, or pending case status. Under Florida Statutes, certain offenses may preclude an individual from receiving licensure for up to 15 years. See Background Screenings located on the Health Sciences Counseling Office web page for the screening procedure and a complete listing of disqualifying offenses. Additionally, drug testing results will be used to determine program participation eligibility.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Pre-PTA and PTA Program Course Plan

*These courses may not be transferred from another institution.

PTA Core program enrollment is limited to a maximum of 24 students per cohort. The Technical courses must be taken as a cohort in the order above. The general education courses may be taken in any order based on prerequisite requirements and course offerings.

†Placement testing is optional for students who graduated from a Florida public school in 2007 or after. Placement testing is required for students who graduated from a Florida high school prior to 2007, attended a private high school, attended an out-of-state high school, or earned a GED. Additionally, students who completed college level English and Math courses with a grade of "C" or better or who have earned an Associate in Arts degree or higher are exempt from placement testing.

Requests for testing accommodations, including for the Kaplan preadmission exam, must be made in advance with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) located on the Northwest Campus. Please be prepared to provide documentation of disability to the DRC when making the request. Contact 352-395-4400v/TTY for further assistance. DRC and Testing Accommodations

The following requirements must be met in order to receive an application to the Program:

Conditional Application Policy: Students currently enrolled in required prerequisite courses may apply to the PTA program, providing their course work is completed by the end of the College's Summer 2017 term. The conditions are:

1. BSC 2085/L, MAC 1105, ENC 1101  and three (3) other prerequisites must be completed by the end of the College's Spring 2018 term with a "C" grade or higher in order to qualify for conditional application. The final 2 prerequisites must be completed with a "C" grade or higher by the end of the College's Summer 2017 term, prior to program entry.
2. Selection points will be awarded only for courses that have been completed with a "C"   grade or better by the application deadline.
3. Acceptance to the Program through the conditional application process will be voided in the event coursework is not successfully completed on time with a "C" grade or better. The voided conditional applications are not eligible for prior application points (if applicable).

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all documents are complete and on file with the Health Sciences Counseling Office by 4:00 p.m. on the application deadline. Each document must clearly identify the applicant (name, student ID, program, date submitted). Incomplete, unsigned or unidentifiable documents are not eligible for points consideration.  Applicants may see an advisor prior to the deadline in order to review their folder. Falsifying documents will result in application disqualification.

Separate documents must be submitted for each file when applying to more than one program. Documents will not be transferred or copied. Please retain all originals as the Counseling Office cannot make duplicates. Documents not required for selection purposes will be destroyed. Letters of recommendation are not accepted. All previously earned degrees or certificates must meet SF accreditation standards in order to be considered for application or selection points. Proof of degree must be in the applicant's file or present a conferment letter from the school's Registrar by the application deadline. Santa Fe College expects all students to acquire or have access to the computer hardware and software necessary for program participation.

The PTA program uses a Selection Criteria/Points System to determine which applications will receive an invitation to the program. Applicants are ranked according to points earned. Graduates of high school health academies and participants of targeted college programs may be eligible for additional points consideration. To insure meeting the College's goals for diversity, there may be up to 10% representation from the middle and lower range of total points in each class selected (if not achieved through the initial points ranking process). Competitive GPA and Kaplan preadmission test scores will be used as primary tie-breaker criteria and also to rank those selected for diversity purposes.

Students selected to the program must complete and document 10 hours of Physical Therapy observation by July 1, 2018, in order to be admitted to the program and  begin core coursework.

To accept a position in the program, selected students must return the response form and complete all required screenings by established deadlines. Required screenings include immunizations, physical examinations, BLS/CPR, drug test and background checks. Failure to do so may result in the loss of a seat in the program. Full acceptance to the program is based upon successful outcome of all screenings. Screening costs are not refundable. Additionally, costs for items such as uniforms, supplies and books may be incurred at the time of admissions.

Notification letters will be sent electronically to an applicant's SF email address. No status information will be given over the telephone. It is the applicant's responsibility to activate their SF email account prior to submitting an application and monitor it on a regular basis for notifications. The PTA program will not retro-act an offer to accept a seat in the program once the acceptance deadline has passed.

Once in program, students must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and adhere to all program requirements, including possible out-of-pocket travel expenses to class and clinical sites. Students are expected to have reliable transportation for the duration of the program.

Applicants previously enrolled in a health-related program but did not complete it, must be in good standing with their former program prior to application to the SF Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Previous Program/Good Standing documentation will be required before any final decision is made regarding acceptance to the program. Applicants not in good standing, or otherwise unable to return to their previous program, may be ineligible for selection.

Additionally, applicants must declare any reported academic dishonesty or misconduct incidents at an educational institution. A panel comprising of Health Sciences faculty, staff and administrators will review incidents of academic dishonesty or misconduct to determine eligibility to participate in a Health Sciences Program. Failure to disclose incidents of academic dishonesty or misconduct will result in the application to program being voided.

Reliable transportation is a requirement for participation. Students are expected to have their own transportation to/from campus and clinical sites for the duration of the program.

SF Health Sciences Programs recognize only current American Heart Association Basic Lifesaver for Health care Professionals BLS/CPR certification (2 person, infant/child). Certification is required by the beginning of the program and cannot expire prior to graduation. BLS/CPR instruction must be from an instructor-led course. Online BLS/CPR certification or training will not be accepted. Students are encouraged to have health insurance in accordance with the Affordable Care Act by the beginning of the program.

Students receiving financial aid with an accumulation of more than 45 credit hours in coursework prior to entrance to the program, must consult with the SF Financial Aid Office before accepting a position in the program in order to determine funding eligibility. Additionally, selected students and applicants receiving financial aid are encouraged to continually monitor their funding eligibility status and consistently seek guidance from a financial aid specialist (located in R-122) to clarify awards and restrictions. For more information regarding ways to pay for the program, please visit the Financial Aid Office's web page, Ways to Pay.

Kaplan Exam Scores

Maximum Points = 6

Prior Degree or Certificate   

Maximum Points = 7

Overall College GPA

Maximum Points = 15

Grades Earned in Prerequisite Courses

Maximum Points = 52

Previous Application

Maximum Points = 2

2 points will be given for a valid 2017 application.

Military Service

Maximum Points = 5

Military Service - 5 points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

Information in this packet is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Counseling Office for up-to-date requirements.