Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS

Note: If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college/university, work with a KCC advisor to learn your options. This degree is not part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative statewide transfer agreement. However, many universities make it possible to continue on to a bachelor’s degree with minimal disruption.

Accreditation

KCC is officially recognized by the Illinois Community College Board and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region. The Higher Learning Commission is located at 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at KCC is accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
telephone: 703-706-3245
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: http://www.capteonline.org/

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 815-802-8816 or email klibby@kcc.edu.

The program is designed to meet and exceed the criteria and standards of all governing agencies to ensure the program quality necessary for successful operation and continuous quality monitoring and improvement. Accreditation is the extensive review process conducted by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to assure quality - both that the quality of your course work is high and that the program produces people qualified to serve the public. In order to take the licensure exam, individuals must have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited program.

Faculty

Kim Libby PT, DPT, Assistant Professor/Program Director
klibby@kcc.edu · 815-802-8816
KCC Room M132 · Fax: 815-802-8801

Regina VanDeVelde PT, DPT, Assistant Professor/Academic Clinical Coordinator of Education
rvandevelde@kcc.edu · 815-802-8817
KCC Room M132 · Fax: 815-802-8801

Jill Hills, PT, Adjunct Professor
jhills@kcc.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students are admitted to the program?

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program admits a new class of 20 students each year to begin in the fall.

What do I need to do to apply to the program?

The PTA program is designed to admit recent high-school graduates as well as adult learners. High school students should pursue advanced math (algebra) and science (biology and chemistry) courses to prepare for the PTA program. For the adult learner, prerequisite coursework may be required if previously completed coursework is more than five to seven years old. For chemistry and biology eligibility requirements, a student may petition to take the A2 Entrance Exam to meet an eligibility requirement if previous course work is too old to be considered. In this case, a passing score of 80% or better on the respective content area is required to meet the eligibility requirement.

For program entry requirements, consult a KCC health careers advisor or consult the PTA program of study in KCC's e-catalog PTA program applicants must also complete ten (10) hours of documented observation/volunteer in physical therapy or 200 hours work experience as a rehab tech or physical therapy aide within two years of application. For verification and documentation of observation/volunteer or work experience, please save and/or print this verification and documentation form.

Being accepted to KCC does not mean acceptance into the PTA program. A competitive entry enrollment process is employed due to limitations placed upon the number of students who may be accepted. The PTA program accepts 20 (twenty) new students into the program each fall.

Applicants who meet minimum records and academic eligibility requirements by the application deadline will be eligible to take the A2 Entrance Exam which is required for scoring for the competitive entrance process. After testing, all eligible students will be ranked based on test scores. In order to be ranked, the student must receive a minimum score of 70%. Eligible students who are not offered a seat will be alternates for the respective application year. Applications will continue to be accepted after the initial deadline, with eligible applicants being considered for program entry on a space available basis according A2 Entrance Exam scores.

Are CPR certifications, physical examinations, background checks, drug testing or any other medical testing required in order to complete an application?

No. The required physical exam, drug testing, background screening, and CPR certifications are completed once accepted to the program so that each will be current and valid throughout the clinical practicums. The student is responsible for these requirements.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The PTA program is an integrated two-year (five consecutive semester) program. Once admitted to the program, students must progress through the courses corresponding to the curriculum model. For example, students admitted to the program in August 2015 and progress successfully through the program will graduate in May 2017. It is the policy of the Health Careers Division that students complete the program degree requirements within 150% of the normally expected time. Students who are unsuccessful in doing so are withdrawn from the program and may pursue reentry in the same manner as a student who is applying to the program for the first time.

Is the program accredited?

KCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) North Central Association. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at KCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org/.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is the extensive review process conducted by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to assure quality- both that the quality of your course work is high and that the program produces people qualified to serve the public. In order to take the licensure exam, individuals must have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited program.

How to file a complaint with CAPTE: Complete the steps on the CAPTE complaints page.

When are classes scheduled?

The program is full-time, during daytime, with lecture and labs each week. Academic classes are on KCC's Riverfront Campus. Clinical experiences are at local, regional, or national facilities. The locations based on the student’s educational needs/preferences and availability. Clinical experiences are full-time weekdays with occasional extended hours and weekends. Clinical travel expenses are the responsibility of the student. Open skills laboratories (voluntary) may also be available on weekends.

Following is the Riverfront Campus schedule as of Fall 2024. It is subject to change based on faculty and class availability.

• Monday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

May I withdraw from the PTA program and later be re-admitted?

KCC and the PTA program faculty work very closely with students to optimize their ability to successfully complete the program, graduate, and pursue successful careers. In cases where students must withdrawal from the program, all re-admission requirements for the college must be met in addition to those requirements for the PTA program, which is also on a time-sensitive basis. The program completion policy applies to such situations.

Are PTA program courses transferrable?

The KCC PTA degree typically is not designed for transfer. KCC has partnered with several four-year colleges and universities to make it easier to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree. Specifically, the PTA program has partnered with Governors State University and has agreements with transfer guides for several programs of study. Students interested in transferring PTA coursework are encouraged to contact the school of interest to determine transferability of courses. Students can also meet with a transfer advisor in Student Affairs at KCC to discuss these bachelor's program partnerships.

What are the pathways to a career as a Licensed Physical Therapist (PT)?

Please consult the PDF Pathways to a Career as a Licensed Physical Therapist (PT).

Is it recommended that I observe or volunteer in physical therapy?

Yes. You are encouraged to observe or volunteer in various physical therapy settings to gain a better understanding about physical therapy and the roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant within the health care team. Applicants must complete ten (10) hours of documented observation/volunteer in physical therapy or 200 hours work experience as a rehab tech or physical therapy aide within two years of application. Allow time to locate a site, establish a schedule and complete the hours. You can arrange for volunteer/observation experience at locations such as local hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient physical therapy clinics. Observation/volunteer hours must occur in at least two different physical therapy settings; a minimum of eight hours must be completed in an inpatient (hospital or extended care facility) physical therapy setting. See verification and documentation forms.

Can I work and go to school?

Students are cautioned that the PTA program is a rigorous course of study. The program faculty recommends that work hours be kept to a minimum during active enrollment in the program in order to optimize acceptable academic progress.

Is financial aid available?

Financial assistance is available to all eligible students at KCC in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment. For further information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 815-802-8550 or visit the website.

Where can I get more information about Health Careers and the PTA program at KCC?

• Tour our campus and/or apply to KCC: visit.kcc.edu - apply.kcc.edu
• Plan your course schedule: Academic advisement - Phone: 815-802-8500
• For general questions: info.kcc.edu - Phone: 815-802-8100; en español: 815-802-8586
• Division of Health Careers, PTA program: Phone: 815-802-8816; email: klibby@kcc.edu