1.         How do I get more information about the PTA program?
Information about classes, course descriptions, and the program can be found at the Morton College PTA Program’s website at its new address www.morton.edu/pta/pta.asp, or by requesting a PTA admissions packet from the Office of Admissions and Records. PTA admissions packets are available each year after October 1. Also, during select times in the school year, the college may offer information sessions or college fairs to discuss health care programs offered through the college. These are open to the public. See college website for more information. PTA program brochures are available through the college.

2.         How can I find out more information about physical therapy profession?⇑ Top
 Observing, volunteering, or working in a PT clinic are all ways of learning more about the field of physical therapy. Contact the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, call at 1-800-999-APTA, or visit www.apta.org.

Do you want to know more about the role of a PTA and about Physical Therapy in general? Then follow this link to watch several videos developed by the American Physical Therapy Association -  www.beapt.org

3.        How many students are accepted into the PTA program each year?
Twenty five students were accepted in 2008. The number of students accepted each year does vary.

4.         How do I find a clinic to observe in a physical therapy department? ⇑ Top
It is best to contact a hospital or physical therapy office in your own community first. Explain that you are applying for the Morton College PTA program and you are required to observe a PT or PTA in a physical therapy setting as part of the PTA program’s admissions requirements. The PTA program requires you to observe in two different physical therapy settings. Some clinics or departments may not be able to honor your request and others may have certain procedures to follow. If the clinic does allow for student observation, make an appointment and be prepared by taking your observation form (provided in the application packet) and dressing appropriately.

5.         What goes on during the interview? ⇑ Top
All applicants interview with at least one member of the PTA admissions committee. All applicants are asked the same questions. The interview consists of questions related to the following areas:

• Motivation
• Understanding the professional role of the PTA
• Adaptability
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Conflict Resolution
• Empathy
• Communication Skills

The interview will last approximately 20 minutes. Please dress in business casual attire. The student will also be asked to write a 200 – 250 word essay on the day of the interview.

6.         If I’ve gone to college before, what courses count toward the PTA program? ⇑ Top
The Office of Admissions and Records evaluates official transcripts to determine whether courses from other colleges will transfer. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within five years of the application deadline. Otherwise, general education courses will usually transfer. All PTA applicants are required to meet with an academic healthcare advisor before May 15th.

7.         What will my class schedule be like? ⇑ Top
All professional/technical content courses of the PTA Program, meaning those with a prefix “PHT” are only offered at fixed times, in a four-semester sequence and must be taken in the stated sequence. Upon selection for admission into the program, classes begin in the fall semester (August) of each year. Each successive semester of course work is dependent on satisfactory completion of the previous work, earning a grade of “C” or better in all courses, before progressing to the next semester. Consult the current schedule or speak with the program coordinator about when courses are offered. Currently, all of the professional/technical courses are offered during the daytime.

8.         How long will it take to complete the professional part of the program? ⇑ Top
Because of the way the courses are sequenced, the professional part of the program takes four 11-12-credit hour semesters to complete. The third and fourth semesters include the time for your full-time clinical affiliations. Although it is not required, we recommend that all general education courses be completed prior to starting the professional part of the program. This will allow you to have a lighter study load each semester. All prerequisite course work MUST be completed before starting the PTA program. No exceptions will be made.

9.         How much will it cost me to complete the program? ⇑ Top
Tuition for in-district students for 2009/2010 is $64.00 per credit hour*. The number of credit hours varies from semester to semester. An average semester of core PTA course work costs approximately $732. Additional fees* for PTA students include the following: Books – cost varies each semester, $300.00; Application Fee, (first-time enrollees), $10.00*; Registration Fee, per semester, $10.00*; Comprehensive Fee, per credit hour, $6.00*; Technology Fee, (per credit hour), $6.00*; Laboratory Fees, per course, range $20-50*; Malpractice Insurance Premium, per year, $15.00*.

(* Note: Fees are subject to change as determined by fee increases affixed by the college.)

Other costs may include uniform, healthcare cost, travel and insurances. Some out-of-district students may qualify for status as a “chargeback student” for the professional component of the PTA program (courses with prefix PHT). They must seek prior approval for chargeback by their local community college and present the necessary authorization forms at the time of registration. Certain restrictions do apply.

10.         Are there any specific physical requirements for the PTA program?⇑ Top
PTA students must be able to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, frequently bend and squat and lift heavy loads. For the specific “Essential Skills” required of the PTA student please refer to the PTA program’s website at www.morton.edu/pta/pta.asp.

11.         Can I work while I am in the PTA Program?⇑ Top
Although we recognize that work provides income for your education, home, and sometimes family, this does not diminish your obligation to learn. Because the PTA Program is selective for admission, there is an equal expectation that you will make the commitment to prepare yourself and strive to learn at your best potential. It is recommended for best success that full-time students do not work, especially during the final semester of the program, which is the most intense for study and clinical education.

12.       What about clinical affiliations? ⇑ Top
The current curriculum schedules the initial clinical affiliation in the third semester of the program (fall of the second professional year) conducted in one 5-week block of 40 hours per week. In the final semester (spring of the second professional year) you will successfully complete two full-time clinical affiliations in two 6-week blocks of 40 hours per week. Each student is required to complete a minimum of one clinical affiliation in an inpatient and outpatient setting. You are responsible for your own transportation to each clinical assignment for which there may be additional costs such as parking and/or meals. Every effort is made to provide a variety of clinical sites and locations for each experience. However, it is not always possible to offer a site convenient to your home or to exactly fit your interests. Clinical affiliations are not assigned based on location. PTA students must be CPR certified and have a complete physical prior to beginning their clinical experience. Some clinical sites require background checks.

13.       Do I need to take a test after graduation to allow me to work as a PTA? ⇑ Top
Yes, most states require testing for licensure or certification before you will be allowed to work. The State of Illinois requires licensure by examination for all new graduates of a PTA Program. During the final semester, you will be given more information about application for licensure and an examination preparatory course is usually offered to assist in your success. To obtain more information on the licensure process contact www.FSBPT.org.         

14.       Do I have to do anything to keep my license once I have passed the examination? ⇑ Top
The State of Illinois requires that your PTA license be renewed every two years starting with the nearest year ending in an odd number (i.e. 2009/2011). Part of the requirement for renewal is mandatory continuing education of 20 contact hours for the two-year cycle. Your PTA degree constitutes all or part of your CEUs during the first licensure cycle after graduation. Information and exceptions about these requirements can be found through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation, 320 West Washington, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786, by phone at (217) 782-0800 or (217) 782-8556, or on their website at www.idfpr.com.  

Other Information:
PTA students must have daily access to a computer that is internet accessible and is compatible with Microsoft Word. Web based technology and computer mediated communication form an integral part of the PTA program.

The PTA program is a day program. Class schedules will vary each semester. PTA students will be enrolled in 4-5 technical courses each semester. Each course will require additional study time outside of class meetings. You are required to purchase and read textbooks indictaed on the course syllabus.

Applications DO NOT carry over from year to year. Applicants must reapply to the PTA program each year.