Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admission

  • Criteria for Selection

    The number of applicants accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is limited to 16 applicants, therefore admission is competitive. To be considered for admission, applicants must complete the PTA Admission Requirements and submit all accompanying documentation. Selection for admission is determined initially by a point system based on the following categories. Ultimate selection is determined by the PTA admissions committee. All admissions decisions are final.

    Cumulative or overall Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) on PTA prerequisite courses (based upon a 4.00 scale) or high school coursework if no college credits available

    • 3.0 points assigned for a GPA of 3.76 to 4.00
    • 2.5 points assigned for a GPA of 3.51 to 3.75
    • 2.0 points assigned for a GPA of 3.26 to 3.50
    • 1.5 points assigned for a GPA of 3.01 to 3.25
    • 1.0 point assigned for a GPA of 2.75 to 3.00

    Quality of written essay submitted (including clinical experience responses)

    • 3.0 points assigned for Excellent content
    • 2.0 points assigned for Good content
    • 1.0 point assigned for Average content
    • Zero points assigned for Poor content

    Note: Points will be deducted for spelling errors and/or grammar errors on both the essay question response and the documentation of physical therapy clinical experience hours forms.

    Clinical/patient care experience in a Physical Therapy setting(s) - Optional for 2022 application

    Provide documentation of a minimum of 20 hours of Physical Therapy clinical experience (work, volunteer or observation) using the Documentation of Physical Therapy Clinical Experience Hours form. Optional bonus points will be awarded for completion of observation hours in a different clinical experience setting.

    • 2.0 points assigned for gaining paid or work experience as an employee at a physical therapy setting
    • 1.0 point assigned for gaining volunteer experience at a physical therapy setting

    Applicants can earn extra credit points for progress toward fulfilling general education and support course requirements

    • 4.0 points for completion of all general education and support courses
    • 2.0 points for completion of all general education and support courses except for 1 course

    A grade of "C" or higher for all PTA program general education and support courses

    Applicant Interview

    • MCC will interview the top 40 applicants based upon their overall scores for the previous items.
    • These interviews will take place at MCC.
    • Interviewees can earn a maximum of 3 points.

    Preference in admission will be given to residents of Community College District #528 who meet the stated minimum acceptance criteria for the program. Priority for admissions are:

    • In-district applicants;
    • Out-of-district applicants working full-time in-district (proof of in-district employment will be required each semester);
    • Out-of-district applicants including those students with a joint or chargeback agreement;
    • International;
    • Other.

    Incomplete application files are not considered for placement.

    Note: The PTA program chair and admissions committee reserve the right to request interviews of eligible applicants if deemed necessary.

  • Notification of Acceptance

    Sixteen applicants are accepted into the PTA program and begin the program each year in the fall semester

    • The PTA Admissions Committee will send notification to all applicants via postage mail.
    • Applicants offered admission must respond in writing within 14 days, or that offer is withdrawn.
    • Applicants who decline an offer of admission or accept but fail to register for classes are not guaranteed admission at a later date.
  • Additional PTA Program Requirements
    • Once accepted into the PTA program, students are required to provide proof of the following medical and legal clearance:
      • physical exam,
      • proof of immunizations,
      • two-step TB test,
      • criminal background check,
      • child abuse clearance,
      • drug testing and
      • American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Providers CPR certification (MCC offers Healthcare Provider CPR to fulfill this requirement)
      • The medical requirements, details about criminal background check, child abuse clearance and drug testing as well as CPR certification are distributed at PTA student orientation.
    • Students accepted to the program must attend the mandatory PTA student orientation date and time to be determined.
    • Students are also required to have health insurance throughout their period of enrollment.
    • Access and knowledge of Canvas learning management system is required.
    • Once admitted, in order to continue in the PTA Program, a student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 and earn a minimum grade of “C” in each PTA program core lecture/laboratory course and “Satisfactory” in each clinical experience. Therefore, acceptance to the PTA program does not guarantee successful completion of the PTA program.
    • A student who withdraws or is dismissed from the program is not guaranteed readmission. (Details regarding the PTA program withdrawal policy may be obtained from the PTA program chair.)
    • Once admitted, in order to continue in the PTA program, a student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 and earn a minimum grade of “C” in each PTA program core lecture/laboratory course and “Satisfactory” in each clinical experience. Therefore, acceptance to the PTA program does not guarantee successful completion of the PTA program.

    The PTA program Grading Scale

    • 93 to 100 percent = A
    • 84 to 92.99 percent = B
    • 75 to 83.99 percent = C
    • 70 to 74.99 percent = D
    • 0 to 69.99 percent = F
  • Applicants Not Selected
    • Applicants not accepted into the program have the option of re-applying to the program.
    • Admission material submitted for one year is not automatically carried over to the following year. Therefore, if an applicant reapplies, the applicant must meet all admission criteria and re-submit all application material.
    • The PTA Program does not maintain a waiting list.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at McHenry County College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, call (815) 479-7592 or email clouderman@mchenry.edu