General Admission Information
 1. For any academic (school) year, students are admitted selectively to begin in the fall semester which starts in August of each year. The deadline for acceptance of applications for admission in the Fall of 2012 is February 1, 2012. Only those applications with completed files will be considered as eligible. Completed files are considered those files that include the following: PTA application, HS transcripts, college transcript through Fall 2011, completed prerequisite coursework, two letters of recommendation and completed observation hours form. Applicants must also complete an essay and an admissions interview prior to acceptance. Only applicants with a complete application packet will be considered for an interview. Interviews will be scheduled after February1.

2. Accreditation The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Morton College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; accreditation@apta.org: (703) 684-2782 or (703) 706-3245. Website: www.capteonline.org

3.  Admission to Morton College’s PTA program is competitive. Admission points will be awarded for both subjective criteria (interview and a 250-word admission essay done on interview day) as well as objective criteria (admission points for prerequisite and any general education classes completed prior to admission). . In the event of a “tie” the overall cumulative college GPA in preadmission courses will be used.

4. For most students, the program will require a full-time and daytime commitment. In the second year of the program students will participate in the clinical affiliation part of the academic program. Clinical affiliations are a full time experience. Students are advised NOT to pursue full time employment during clinical affiliations. Students are responsible for their own transportation related to clinical experiences.

5. Only students officially accepted to the PTA program may enroll in courses with the PHT prefix, except for PHT 101. Classes begin only in the fall semester of each school year. To complete the professional core and general education credits, which are a part of the curriculum, students should plan on attending school for 2 ½ full (Fall/Spring/Summer) academic years or 3 (Fall/Spring only) academic years.

6. Eligible applicants will be notified in writing within 2 weeks after the admissions committee has determined successful candidates. Meeting the minimum preadmission requirements does not guarantee admissions to the PTA program.

7. Applicants not meeting eligibility requirements will receive a written letter and will be recommended for advising. NOTE: Applications to the PTA program DO NOT roll over from year to year. Applicants must apply to the program each year to be considered for admissions.

8.  In 2011, 84% of students that started the PTA program in 2009 graduated on time.

9. The three year (2007 -2009) pass rate average on the National Physical Therapy Exam is 80.36%.

10. The average number of people applying to the program and the number of people admitted varies from year to year based on the number of qualified applicants. In 2010, 74 people applied to the program. Twenty eight  applicants were offered seats in the PTA program and all enrolled.

Admission Requirements ⇑ Top

Admission requirements into the PTA program are:

• High school diploma or GED
• Complete 30 hours of observation in two different physical therapy clinical settings (1 outpatient, 1 in patient)
• Successful completion of  MAT 084 or 093 or higher  or place into MAT 085 or 095 on the Morton College Math Placement Test
• Completion of pre-admission course work, as follows, with grade of “C” or better within five years of acceptance into the program:
  – ENG 101*
  – BIO 103 or equivalent 4 credit A&P course -  PHT 101 or equivalent  or equivalent 2 credit medical terminology course.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0
• In addition the student must complete BIO 104 (4 credits) with a grade of “C” or better by the end of the first semester in the program.
• Participation in an interview for inclusion or exclusion purposes with two PTA Admission Committee members. Completion of a 250 word essay at the time of the interview.
• Submission of two letters of recommendation.
• Eligibility for admission into the PTA program is selective.

All prerequisite course work and other admission requirements must be met before final acceptance.
Preference is given to in-district residents, and to students of those districts with which Morton College has a contractual agreement.
Priority consideration for the fall semester of each academic year is given to students applying by February 1.

 Application Procedures ⇑ Top

1. The following requirements must be met prior to admission in this selective admission program:
2. A)        Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the GED test. Out of country high school transcripts must be ECE or WES evaluated stating U.S. equivalency. Official high school transcripts or GED scores must be submitted with the PTA application to the Office of Admissions and Records. COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE OF February 1, 2012.
   B)       Completion of Anatomy and Physiology 1 (BIO 103), or equivalent  4 credit hour college level course work within five (5) years of beginning the program and with a grade of “C” or better. In addition the student must complete BIO 104 with a grade of “C” or better by the end of the first semester in the program.
   C)       Completion of English or Rhetoric I (ENG 101) within five (5) years of beginning the program and with a grade of “C” or better. If greater than five years the applicant must place into ENG 101 on the Morton College placement test. (ENG 102 within 5 years will also fulfill this requirement)
   D)        Completion of PHT 101 (Medical Terminology for Clinicians) or an equivalent 2 credit hour medical terminology course with a grade of “C” or better within five years of beginning the program.
   E)        Completion of MAT 084 or 093 with a grade of “P” or place into MAT 085 or 095 on the Morton College placement test.
   F)         Completion of 30 hours of observation in two different physical therapy clinical settings (i.e. outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitation, skilled nursing) is required. Observation may be at the same facility if two different clinical experiences are offered (i.e. a hospital that can offer both an inpatient and an outpatient experience). Observation hours can be completed up to 1 year before starting the PTA program. An observation form is in the application packet. You can make additional copies if needed. Please keep a copy of your complete observation form for your records. Your completed observation form must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records by February 1, 2012.
   G)   Completion of the interview process: All applicants must call Academic Advising to schedule an appointment for an interview. Interviews will be scheduled from February 6, 2012 through May 1, 2012. The Advising department will begin scheduling interviews after February 1, 2012. Two interviews will be required: one with the PTA Program Director and one with another PTA admission committee member. Whenever possible these interviews take place on the same day. The interviews are for inclusion and exclusion purposes. (See general information sheet for additional information.) At the time of the interviews, students will be asked to write a 250 word essay.
   H)      Submission of two letters of recommendation from community members or acquaintances of professional status (Priest, minister, lawyer, banker, teacher, etc.) Letters of recommendation from family members will not be accepted.
   Official college transcripts through Fall 2011 must be submitted with the PTA application to the Office of Admissions and Records. Transcripts for Spring 2012 courses must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records by May 31, 2012.
3. All transcripts will be evaluated for appropriate transfer credit from the accredited institution that the student attended. Note that a transcript is considered official only when it is sent by mail from one institution to another, OR if sent to the student’s residence, it must be kept in the sealed envelope. Credit accepted for transfer will be determined by the Office of Admissions and Records. The exception to this is with international transcripts, see # 3. International transcripts must be evaluated through a Credential Evaluation Service such as ECE. Forms are available through the Office of Admissions and Records to initiate this process. All questions regarding international transcripts must be directed to the Office of Admissions and Records.
4. Applicants must meet all general college admission requirements for degree seeking students as outlined in the college catalog. More information about this is available from the Office of Admissions and Records.
5. Applicants will receive a confirmation letter after receipt of their PTA application.
6. All PTA applicants must meet with an academic healthcare advisor before February 1st  to review transcripts. Call 708-656-8000 ext 250 to schedule an appointment.
7. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that all necessary documents are on file. Applicants are encouraged to keep copies of documents submitted, with the exception of any official transcripts, or at least keep a record of the dates that documents are submitted. A checklist is provided in the application packet to use as a guide.
8. Meeting the minimum admission requirements DOES NOT guarantee admission to the PTA program.
9. It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Office of Admissions and Records and PTA Program Coordinator of any change in address or phone number once the application is submitted.

If information or assistance is needed the following individuals or departments may be contacted at the following extensions after dialing the college at (708) 656-8000:
Healthcare hotline                                                          ext.  431   
PTA Program Faculty                                                     ext. 380
Office of Admissions and Records                                ext. 346
Financial Aid Office                                                        ext. 428
Marge Hopkins Academic Advisor for PTA Students     ext. 250
(Also use extension 250 to inquire about placement test appointments and advising appointments)

Essential Skills Required of PTA Students ⇑ Top

To meet Morton College PTA Program academic objectives and perform duties required in the clinical education aspect of the PTA program, PTA students must be able to demonstrate critical, logical, and analytical thinking. They must demonstrate ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and with people who have disabilities. PTA students must possess motor and visual skills that enable them to meet program academic objectives and perform duties required in the clinical education aspect of the PTA program. 
Specifically, PTA students:

• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently both verbally and in writing with instructors, peers, patients, families, other healthcare professionals and the general public;
• Must have sufficient hearing ability to respond appropriately to instructors, peers, patients, and other healthcare professionals;
• Must be physically able to transfer patients to and from wheelchairs, beds, mats, etc., and effectively provide all aspects of patient care relevant to PT
• Must demonstrate ability to spend prolonged periods of time walking, standing, sitting,  bending as well as frequently crawling, reaching, pushing and pulling.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read regular to extra fine print on goniometers and   other measuring devices;
• Must have sufficient manual dexterity and sensation to allow them to handle small  objects, palpate muscles and/or bony prominences, and monitor patients;
• Must be able to complete interventions / assessments within required time limits in the  classroom, laboratory, and clinical areas
• Must demonstrate sound critical thinking and problem solving skills and be able to organize, prioritize and execute tasks in a responsible and efficient manner.

*The above technical standards must be met with reasonable accommodations.
If you need further information or assistance, the following individuals or departments may be contacted at the following extensions after dialing the college at (708) 656-8000:
PTA Program Faculty  - ext. 380
Office of Admissions and Records - ext. 346
Financial Aid Office - ext. 428
Marge Hopkins Academic Advisor for PTA Students   -   ext. 250
(Also use extension 250 to inquire about placement test appointments)