PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE APPLICATION

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE APPLICATION PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College exists to meet the health and wellness needs of the community for highly qualified, entry level Physical Therapist Assistants, who will work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. Graduates of the program are compassionate, culturally and gender competent, lifelong learners who communicate appropriately with patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers to provide safe, ethical, efficient and effective interventions with competent education methods to the population they serve. Thank you for your interest in Union County College s Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Our full-time program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree and are eligible for the New Jersey State licensure examination. Curriculum Sequence Preclinical Phase Prerequisite Course Work ENG 101 English Composition I 3 credits BIO 105 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits MATH 119 Algebra 4 credits PSY 101 General Psychology 3 credits PSY 204 Or PSY 212 Lifespan Development Or Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 3 credits At the completion of all prerequisite course work, a Physical Therapist Assistant Program Application is required for consideration for the clinical phase of the program. Clinical Phase Spring Semester PTA 115 Functional Anatomy 3 credits PTA 130 PT Procedures I 6 credits PTA 251 Independent Living 2 credits ENG 102 English Composition II 3 credits Clinical Phase Summer Session One PTA 140 PT Procedures II 3 credits Clinical Phase Summer Session Two BIO 106 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits Clinical Phase Fall Semester PTA 217 PT Seminar l & Clinical Practice I 7 credits PTA 220 PT Procedures III 6 credits PTA 221 PT Procedures IV 4 credits 1

Clinical Phase Spring Semester PTA 223 PT Seminar II 2 credits PTA 224 Clinical Practice II & III 12 credits Eligibility Criteria for the PTA Program Successful completion of pre-requisite courses in ENG101 English Composition I, BIO105 Anatomy and Physiology I, MAT 119 Algebra, PSY 101 General Psychology and PSY 204 Lifespan Development or PSY 212 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging, with a grade of C or better prior to the application deadline. Satisfactory completion of 25 volunteer hours from 2 different physical therapy clinics/settings totaling 50 hours. PTA Application Process Student who meet the eligibility criteria must complete PTA Program s Application for review by the PTA Admissions Committee. The completed application must include the following: PTA Program Application Form along with a copies of the student s unofficial transcripts from all schools attended, CLEP and AP scores (if applicable), Applicant Acknowledgement Form, personal essay, Volunteer Verification Logs and 2 sealed Recommendation Forms from the individuals supervising your volunteer hours and/or physical therapy aide work. o Send the completed application to: Kathleen Wittrock Division of Allied Sciences Plainfield Campus, Union County College 232 East Second Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 Kathleen.wittrock@ucc.edu Send all official transcript from all schools attended to the Admission s Office on the Cranford Campus. The Admissions Office must perform an official evaluation of transfer credits. o Please send all official transcripts in sealed envelopes from the schools to: Admissions Office Union County College 1033 Springfield Avenue Cranford, NJ 07016 Incomplete applications will not be evaluated for admission into the PTA Program. All completed applications received between September 1 st and October 31 st will be reviewed. An admission score will be calculated for each application, per the attached rubric. Admission into the program is highly competitive. Seating is limited to top admission candidates. If there are questions about applying to the College selecting courses or transferring credits please contact a Student Service Specialist in Student Service Center at the Plainfield Campus at 908-412-3550. After speaking with the Specialist, students who are still unclear about the admission process should e-mail the program administrative assistant at kathleen.wittrock@ucc.edu. Please note: Students accepted into the clinical phase of the program are required to have medical health insurance, health clearance by a physician, drug testing, and a criminal background check. Federal and state laws preclude persons with certain criminal backgrounds from being in contact with children and patients. A felony conviction may affect a student s placement in clinic and ability to attain state licensure. 2

Retention of Application Materials: Application materials submitted to the PTA program become the property of Union County College and will not be returned to the applicant. Union County College does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. APPLICATION CHECKLIST: PTA Program Application Form Applicant Acknowledgement Form All unofficial transcripts from all schools attended CLEP and AP scores (if applicable) Personal essay o The essay should be no more than 2 pages in length, using 12 font size, and double spaced. Please o include your name on each page. Essay Topic: Think of the attributes or characteristics that you look for in a health care professional. Next, identify the qualities that you feel YOU possess, and describe how they will enhance your role as a Physical Therapist Assistant. 2 Volunteer Verification Logs documenting 25 hours from two different physical therapy clinics/settings totaling 50 hours. 2 sealed Recommendation Forms (attached) from the individuals supervising your volunteer hours and/or physical therapy aide work. All official transcripts from all schools attended to be sent to the Admissions Office on the Cranford Campus 3

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE APPLICATION FORM DATE Please print APPLICANT NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE HOME EMAIL CELL UCC STUDENT ID (if applicable) ACADEMIC WORK List the High school you attended and chronologically, every College, University, or Professional school that you attended or are attending. Enclose an unofficial transcript from each school with the completed application and send official transcripts to the Admission s Office on the Cranford Campus. Do not enclose high school transcript if 12 or more College credits have been completed. Name of Institution City & State From To (Month & Year) Degree Earned & Date 4

ACADEMIC RECORD Please complete the following information. English Comp I Semester Date Completed Grade Institution Name English Comp II Anatomy & Physiology I Anatomy & Physiology II General Psychology 101 College Algebra (4 credits) Lifespan Development or Psychology of Adulthood and Aging DOCUMENTATION Please identify the names and contact information of the 2 professionals (supervisors) who will be filling out the recommendation forms and verifying the volunteer hours. NAME OF FACILITY #1 NAME OF SUPERVISOR & TITLE SUPERVISOR TELEPHONE ADDRESS OF FACILITY NAME OF FACILITY #2 NAME OF SUPERVISOR & TITLE SUPERVISOR TELEPHONE ADDRESS OF FACILITY I certify that the foregoing information made by me are true and accurate. I understand that if any of the information made by me is willfully false, my application will be voided. Applicant Signature: Date 5

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (To be completed by the applicant and submitted with the completed application form) APPLICANT NAME: Complete the items below and give the enclosed reference grid check off sheet to the individuals providing the verification of this experience. For your supervisors convenience, you should provide a stamped self-addressed envelope. Have your supervisor complete the recommendation form and place it in a sealed envelope with their signature across the seal. No recommendations will be accepted without a full signature across the seal. I give my permission for the recommendation information to be released to the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Union County College. This information is to be included in my application portfolio. Applicant s Signature: Date: Right of Access The Federal Family Education rights &V Privacy Act of 1974 gives students the right to access their records. It is your option to waive your right to access. Please mark the appropriate phrase below indicating your choice and sign your name. I DO waive my right to review the recommendations. I DO NOT waive my right to review the recommendations. Applicant s Signature: Date: Physical Therapist Assistant Handbook I have read the Physical Therapist Assistant Handbook and understand the programs expectations, goals and objectives as well as the program policies and procedures. Applicant s Signature: Date: Performance Essentials I have read the Performance Essentials Document in the PTA Program Handbook and believe that I can fulfill these functions with or without reasonable accommodation as outlined in this document. (Please sign below to acknowledge your understanding of these performance essentials.) Applicant s Signature: Date: 6

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE VOLUNTEER LOG SHEET FACILITY NAME: APPLICANT NAME Date Time In Time Out Total Hours Supervisor s Initials Total Hours Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor: Date 7

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE Recommendation Form (to be completed by the Supervisor) APPLICANT NAME The above named applicant has applied to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College. The Admissions Committee is reviewing individuals whose accomplishments, personal attributes, and abilities have the greatest potential for the physical therapist assistant education and practice. We appreciate your candid and objective assessment of the student s qualifications. COMPLETE ONLY IF THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION FOR A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FIVE HOURS. RETURN TO APPLICANT IN A SEALED ENVELOPE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE ACROSS THE BACK OF THE SEAL. Thank you in advance for your efforts, The Admissions Committee NAME OF FACILITY NAME OF SUPERVISOR & TITLE SUPERVISOR TELEPHONE ADDRESS OF FACILITY Describe the activities the applicant observed and performed: Additional Comments: 9

Please check the appropriate boxes below that best describe the candidate as compared to other students at this level. Complete the reverse side of this form. Skill Outstanding Excellent Good Below No Basis for Judgement Commitment to Learning Interpersonal Skills Communication Skills Professional and Responsibility Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Use of Constructive Feedback Effective use of Time and Resource Stress Management Cooperation, Rapport, Sensitivity I Strongly Recommend Recommend Recommend with Reservations Do not recommend this applicant List the Applicant s Strengths: 10

List the Applicant s Weaknesses: Additional Comments: Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor: Date: 11

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNION COUNTY COLLEGE Recommendation Form (to be completed by the Supervisor) APPLICANT NAME The above named applicant has applied to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College. The Admissions Committee is reviewing individuals whose accomplishments, personal attributes, and abilities have the greatest potential for physical therapist assistant education and practice. We appreciate your candid and objective assessment of the student s qualifications. COMPLETE ONLY IF THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION FOR A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FIVE HOURS. RETURN TO APPLICANT IN A SEALED ENVELOPE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE ACROSS THE BACK OF THE SEAL. Thank you in advance for your efforts, The Admissions Committee NAME OF FACILITY NAME OF SUPERVISOR & TITLE SUPERVISOR TELEPHONE ADDRESS OF FACILITY Describe the activities the applicant observed and performed: Additional Comments: 12

List the Applicant s Weaknesses: Additional Comments: Signature of Physical Therapy Supervisor: Date: 14

ASSIGNED STUDENT NUMBER TOTAL ADMISSIONS SCORE Biology 105 GPA Bio105 Grade Points A 50 B+ 40 B 30 C+ 20 C 10 Total points x 45%= Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admission Criteria Rubric *For PTA Admissions Committee use only* Prerequisite GPA Course MAT 119 ENG 101 GEN PSY 101 PSY 204 or PSY 212 GPA Grade Total points x 35%= GPA POINTS 4.0 3.7 30 3.6 3.3 25 3.2 3.0 20 2.9 2.7 15 2.6 2.5 10 Personal Essay Content Focus Organization Vocabulary Mechanics, Format Total points x 10%= 0 Very Poor 2 Below 4 6 Above 8 Excellent 15

Recommendation 1 Skill Commitment to Learning Interpersonal Skills Communication Skills Professional and Responsibility Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Use of Constructive Feedback Effective use of Time and Resource Stress Management Cooperation, Rapport, Sensitivity *Total points x 5%= Outstanding 5 Excellent 4 Good 3 2 Below 1 No Basis for Judgement Recommendation 2 Skill Commitment to Learning Interpersonal Skills Communication Skills Professional and Responsibility Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Use of Constructive Feedback Effective use of Time and Resource Stress Management Cooperation, Rapport, Sensitivity *Total points x 5%= Outstanding 5 Excellent 4 Good 3 2 Below 1 No Basis for Judgement *The Supervisor s professional comments are highly valued and utilized qualitatively in the decision making process. 16