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Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admissions Checklist

Program Filing Deadline is September 1

Please call (417) 447-8803 or 447-8804 before the deadline to confirm that your file is complete!

OTC cannot guarantee that students classified under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will receive approval to take the licensure exam after program completion. Please contact the state or national agency that administers the professional licensure exam to inquire about licensure exam requirements.

Overview of checklist: Step 1 Complete and submit an OTC application at www.otc.edu Step 2 Complete one mandatory informational session

Step 3 Submit an application along with the application fee for the PTA program Step 4 Request official transcripts Step 5 Write autobiographical essay Step 6 Write a resume' Step 7 Complete shadowing hours in two PTA settings Step 8 Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisite coursework. Courses with

grades “D” or “F” will not count toward any Allied Health program. If a passing grade, C or better, is not achieved after two completions in any program prerequisite course(s), an applicant will not be considered for the program.

Step 9 Top 48 applicants are interviewed Step 10 24 applicants and 5 alternates are selected*

Step 1 Complete and submit an Ozarks Technical Community College application at

www.otc.edu, if not currently enrolled. New students must attend a STAR seminar and complete orientation on line.

Step 2 Complete one mandatory Physical Therapist Assistant informational session. Click here for the schedule or go to: https://academics.otc.edu/alliedhealth/informational-sessions/physical-therapist-assistant/ Step 3 Submit a completed application and $15 fee (nonrefundable) to office listed below. You

may also email your application and paid receipt to alliedhealth@otc.edu.

Application fee may be paid online with credit or debit card using the link on the

Allied Health webpage - https://academics.otc.edu/alliedhealth/ - PROVIDE A PAID

RECEIPT WITH YOUR APPLICATION, or

Pay with cash at the OTC cashier window (Springfield campus) - PROVIDE A PAID

RECEIPT WITH YOUR APPLICATION

If mailing application, a money order is acceptable

Personal checks are not accepted

Ozarks Technical Community College, Attn: Allied Health, 1001 East Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802 (physical location: Lincoln Hall, room 210)

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Step 4 Request official transcripts from all previously attended institutions be sent to OTC. To be considered official, your transcript must come from your high school office, high school equivalency, state department or institution by mail, email, or hand delivered in the original sealed envelope. Copies of the transcript from the student are not accepted. If you have attended only at OTC, an official transcript is not necessary.

Admissions Office

Ozarks Technical Community College Attn: Admissions

1001 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO 65802 admissions@otc.edu

Step 5 Autobiographical essay graded upon: a. Structure - to include spelling, grammar, punctuation, & outline b. Composition - to include theme, thought process, & expression c. Content - to include:

Interests/goals in pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant Experiences in any health care field or in your life which directly relates to your

knowledge of and interest in physical therapy Personal strengths which will allow you to function effectively as a PTA

Step 6 Resume which includes the following information:

Name and address Educational background (institution, dates, area of study, graduation date, degree) Employment records (employer, location, position, dates, supervisor) Volunteer work (organization, nature of work, dates, supervisor) Membership in professional/honor societies (name & dates) Honors/awards received Organizations/boards/committees on which you served Primary interests/extracurricular activities

Step 7 Applicants must submit two separate forms documenting evidence of 20 total hours of

shadowing, 10 hours in two separate Physical Therapy settings. Documented experience as a PT technician will count for 10 hours of shadowing in one Physical Therapy setting. Shadowing must be completed in one outpatient PT setting (patient will not be staying overnight) and one inpatient type PT setting (patient will be staying overnight). Start this process early as some agencies have certain requirements that have to be met before you may shadow.

Step 8 All science courses listed (anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology) must be completed within five years of beginning the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Complete all prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be completed or in progress before or during the semester of the deadline. Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all prerequisite courses. Courses with a grade of “D” or “F” will not count towards any Allied Health program. Withdrawal or failure to successfully complete the prerequisite courses will eliminate your application from consideration. Students currently enrolled in required coursework during the fall semester must provide documentation of current grades at the interview. Documentation may be in the form of a statement of midterm grade performance signed by the instructor(s) of the required course(s) or a class printout accessible on MyOTC. Students from other colleges may bring in a

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statement of midterm grade performance signed by the instructor(s) of the required course(s).

If a passing grade, C or better, is not achieved after two completions in any program prerequisite course(s), an applicant will not be considered for the program.

Step 9 The top 48 applicants with complete files will be considered for an interview. Interviewees

will receive a letter and email (OTC email address) regarding the date, time, and location of the interview. Please notify Allied Health of any changes in contact information: name, address, or phone number.

The interview is approximately 1 hour in length. The applicant will be asked questions by

a variety of interviewers. Letters/emails will be sent indicating acceptance/non-acceptance into the program.

Step 10 Based upon the PTA program's admission scoring system, the 24 applicants with the

highest scores will be offered a position in the class and emailed forms to complete the acceptance process. Five alternates will receive letters and an email of their alternate status.

Alternates will be notified if a position in the class becomes available. Applicants and

alternates not selected for admission need to notify the Allied Health office if they wish to pursue admission into the program the following year.

The admission formula is a competitive points-based system that includes:

Academic preparedness

Degrees & certificates

Honors & awards

Service industry experience

Personal interview and writing samples *Please note, applicants not accepted into the program are invited to a group advising session in the month of December. (First Tuesday and Thursday in December, 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. at Richwood Valley campus, room 104/106)

All application materials are due by the September 1 deadline

Applicants with incomplete files will not be considered for the PTA Program 7/20/17