PTA Program Applying and Selective Admission Points System | WKCTC

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PTA Program Applying and Selective Admission Points System

The PTA Program admits one class of up to 16 students once a year. The application period runs from March to Oct 1 of each year. Accepted students start the program each January as a class and complete the 4 semesters of the program together. To apply to the program you must complete the steps below by October 1 to be considered by the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Selective Admissions Committee for entrance into the PTA program in January of the following year.

Applications for the PTA Program are completed at the Information Sessions.  

  • Once you apply, you will receive a letter from the Admissions Coordinator either saying your file is complete (which means it WILL be reviewed in October by the admissions committee) or your file is incomplete.  An incomplete file will NOT be reviewed in October by the admissions committee UNLESS you submit needed documentation by October 1st.
  • If your letter indicates that your file is incomplete, submit needed paperwork to the Admissions Coordinator (listed below) as quickly as possible.  Then, follow up to verify that your file is complete.
  • All Applicants should monitor their mail and email closely and make sure the address in our system matches an address where you regularly get your mail.  
  • Students are encouraged to carefully review their own selective admission points and identify ways they can maximize their points prior to the October 1st deadline.
  • Submit transcripts and ACT or SAT scores to WKCTC Records Office
  • ACT now allows you to send your ACT “SuperScore”.  This is the score that has the highest score in each category.  It is up to the student to have this score sent specifically if they wish to.  
  • Submit all PTA Specific Paperwork to:  

Mary Ann Bradbury, Admissions Coordinator
WKCTC PTA Program
4810 Alben Barkley Drive
Paducah, KY  42001
(270) 534-3471
wkctc.alliedhealthsa@kctcs.edu

 

Spirit of Bankruptcy

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admissions Committee utilizes the “spirit of bankruptcy” policy in determining GPAs. If a student has a previous GPA that does not reflect current achievement and would like to begin a new average, the following must be met:

  • Not enrolled in college for a minimum period of two years (4 semesters, excluding summer)
  • Returned to college and earned 12 graded non-developmental credit hours from the PTA academic plan list (six of these must be at a KCTCS college) with a combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program Committee will automatically refigure for GPA using this policy if it can be applied and if it improves your GPA.

This is not official and does not change your transcript. If you would like this to be officially demonstrated on your transcript, you must request this in the Records Office.

  • The PTA Program admits one class of up to 16 students once per year.
  • Student files that are complete will be reviewed in early to mid-October by the PTA Admissions Committee and points will be assigned. Points will be considered for anything COMPLETED by Oct. 1st of this year.
  • The only exception to the Oct 1 deadline is for completion of a “short session” fall course provided it ends by Oct.9th.  Students occasionally take a short session class in an effort to increase PTA points.  It is the student’s responsibility to notify the admissions coordinator about the class so the new grade can be added to their admission points.  
  • Letters with the committee's decision are typically mailed around the 3rd week in October.
  • Based on the selective admission scores, up to 16 students will receive a letter of acceptance (total number admitted each year may vary). They will also receive an acceptance form that MUST be signed and RETURNED by the due date listed.
  • Accepted students will need to complete a provider level CPR course (if not already certified), Castlebranch drug screen and background check prior to the mandatory orientation meeting in December.
  • Students who have scores below the accepted group will get a letter indicating they are on the alternate list. Some alternates are accepted on most years, so monitor your mail and email closely.
  • Students whose scores are below the alternate level will receive a letter indicating they were not accepted. We strongly encourage this group to meet with the Program Coordinator to see what can be done to increase points for the next application period.
  • The accepted students start the program in January and complete the next 4 semesters together following the PTA academic plan.

How to Apply

  1. Attend an Information Session
    • All meeting are held in the Barbara M. Veazey Health Sciences Building, Room E105 at 4:00 p.m.
    • Dates:
      • Thursday, April 11, 2024
      • Tuesday, April 23, 2024
      • Tuesday, May 7, 2024
      • Thursday, August 8, 2024
      • Tuesday, August 27, 2024
      • Tuesday, September 10, 2024
      • Thursday, September 19, 2024
  2. Apply for Admission - Apply for admission to West Kentucky Community and Technical College unless you are already a student at one of the KCTCS colleges.
  3. Submit official transcripts - Submit official transcripts for all previous college work not completed at a KCTCS college.
  4. Submit ACT or SAT scores - Submit ACT or SAT score report.
  5. Register or take required course(s) - Register for or have already completed BIO 137, Anatomy and Physiology I. This course must be completed with a C or higher prior to entering the first semester of PTA program courses.

Selective Points System

This point system effective January 1, 2020

Points are given to applicants for their ACT or SAT score and GPA in the classes required for the program. To earn additional points toward program admission you can:

  • Earn an A or B in Anatomy and Physiology I or II, and/or Math 150 (College Algebra) or higher, including STA 151
  • Kentucky Resident or applicants who are residents of these contiguous counties: Illinois-Pope, Massac, Pulaski, Alexander, Hardin; Tennessee-Lake, Obion, Weakley, Henry, Stewart.
  • Submit documentation: employment as a PT Aide or Technician, or in a related health care position with direct patient care; or completion of direct patient care education such as NAA 100 or comparable course.

Students who are accepted to the PTA program are required to be certified in CPR at healthcare provider level, obtain the required immunizations, complete a background check, and complete the required drug screen.

ACT Score

Applicants must have taken the ACT or SAT to be eligible for acceptance into the PTA program.

Points for composite ACT taken from October 28, 1989 to present

ACT Score Possible Points
ACT Score PTA Program Points
0-18  0
19 30
20 33
21 36
22 39
23 42
24 45
25 48
26 and up 50

If students have retaken the ACT, we accept the highest composite score.
If students have taken both the ACT and SAT we will use the score that yields the highest points.

ACT SuperScores: Students are allowed to specifically request an official copy of their ACT SuperScore and submit it directly to the PTA Admission Coordinator to be used to calculate ACT Score points

***For ACT tests taken prior to October 28, 1989 or for students who have only taken the SAT, see conversion charts at the bottom of this page.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Cumulative GPA for all graded courses taken from the General Education courses listed on the PTA Academic Plan (does not include digital literacy which is a college requirement).

  • Student must have taken 12 graded credit hours in the approved PTA curriculum to earn GPA points.
  • Courses must be taken from a regionally accredited college.
  • Remedial or developmental coursework is not included in graded credit hours.
GPA Possible Points
GPA PTA Program Points
3.00 - 3.24  30
3.25 - 3.49 36
3.50 - 3.74 42
3.75 - 4.00 50

Bonus Math and Science Points

These points are awarded for the following classes and corresponding grades.

Bonus Math and Science Possible Points
Course Grade of A Grade of B
BIO 137  8 4
BIO 139 8 4
MAT 150 or higher (STA 151 meets this requirement) 8 4

Kentucky Residents

Kentucky residents (or applicants who are residents of the approved contiguous counties) may be awarded 2 points.

Documented Work Experience

Documented work experience related to Physical Therapy (up to 4 points)

Employment as a PT Aide or Technician Possible Points
Years Worked PTA Program Points
Less than 6 months  1
6 months to one year 2
More than one year 3
Employment in a Related Health Care Position with Direct Patient Care Possible Points
Years Worked PTA Program Points
Less than 6 months 1
6 months or more 2

Candidates with possible points for employment experience need to submit the following to the admissions coordinator written by their employer:

  1. Beginning and ending dates of employment
  2. Supervisor's name and title
  3. Specific list of patient care duties
  4. Brief summary of this candidates' performance in this position

All components must be present on the letter for points to be considered. The admission Committee will review letters submitted by employers and assign points as appropriate.

Completion of Direct Patient Care Education

Completion of direct patient care education such as the NAA 100 course at WKCTC or a comparable course may be awarded 2 points.

Candidates with possible points in this area need to submit their transcript and/or certification to the Admissions Coordinator for review.

Other Notes

  • In the event of a tie in the total number points, the calculated GPA for courses on the PTA Academic plan is used to rank order to determine admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program.  This is the same GPA calculation used for GPA points in that category above.
  • When transfer classes have different credit hours than the WKCTC equivalent, points will be calculated with the number of credits on the WKCTC equivalent, so all student points are assessed in the same manner.
  • Students admitted into the PTA program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Students must have at least 80 points in this PTA selective admission point system to be considered for a position in the program.

For ACT Tests Taken Prior to October 28, 1989

ACT Tests Taken Prior to October 28, 1989 Possible Points
ACT Score PTA Program Points
0-17  0
18 30
19 33
20 36
21 39
22 42
23 45
24 48
25 and up 50

Conversion Chart for ACT to SAT Scores

ACT to SAT Conversion Chart
ACT Score SAT Score
36 1590
35 1540
34 1500
33 1460
32 1430
31 1400
30 1370
29 1340
28 1310
27 1280
26 1240
25 1210
24 1180
23 1140
22 1110
21 1080
20 1040
19 1010 and up