Physical Therapist Assistant Degree (PTA) (Day only)

(Selective)

This program is located at the MWCC Gardner Campus.

Applications will be reviewed and candidates will be notified of the admissions decision by mail approximately 60 days after the deadline.  The college may return applications received after the deadline without review. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Candidates applying to the selective PTA program must attend a mandatory selective program information session prior to the PTA admissions deadline and before submitting their PTA application. All candidates must review the full application for admission which can be found by visiting: https://mwcc.edu/apply.

Requirements for Consideration to PTA

ATI TEAS Requirement

Successful passage of the ATI TEAS examination is a requirement for admission to the PTA program at the college. MWCC has set the following standards on ATI TEAS scores for admission to improve the success of students in completing the program and obtaining licensure:

Candidates wishing to be considered for admission to the PTA program at MWCC must take the TEAS exam. 

All TEAS scores must be completed within 3 years prior to the application deadline.

ATI TEAS SCORES:

Composite (61.0%)
Reading (71.0%
Math (65.0%)
English (62.0%)
Science (51.0%)

MWCC strongly recommends that applicants complete program prerequisite courses, especially ENG 101 College Writing I, math, and a four-credit lab science before taking the ATI TEAS Test to enhance their knowledge base. ATI TEAS results are only valid if completed within one year of the program's application deadline. There is a test fee that must be paid through ATI. The fee is non-refundable and not transferable. MWCC permits students to submit up to three sets of ATI TEAS scores taken within one year of the application deadline for consideration. Students may re-take sections of the exam which they did not pass prior to the application deadline. Students who wish to retest must complete their retest prior to the application deadline and can register for a test date and pay the test fee through ATI. ATI TEAS exams taken after the application deadline will not be accepted.

Students must register for the ATI TEAS online at ATI. Policies regarding canceling and rescheduling are determined by ATI.


English Requirements

Students are strongly encouraged to have completed  ENG 101 College Writing I with a grade of C+ or better, at the time of application.

Math Proficiency

Competency may be met with completion of a math course equal to MAT 143 Statistics or higher (not MAT 140 Elements Of Mathematics I) with a grade of C+ or better, or through college placement testing out of MAT 143.  Math requirement may not be older than 10 years.

Science Requirements

Completion of a four-credit human biological lab science with a grade of C+ or better, completed no more than ten years prior to the program's application deadline (BIO 152 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology is preferred or BIO 203 Anatomy and Physiology I (formerly BIO 199) and BIO 204 Anatomy and Physiology II for those applicants who will eventually continue their education in a Bachelor's Degree program).

Applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office:

  • A completed PTA admissions application (Available through the Admissions Office.)
  • High School Diploma or Equivalency requirement as described in the College's general admissions requirements.
  • Official transcripts of all college-level courses completed at all colleges other than MWCC.  Official transcripts are not required for courses completed at MWCC.  Transfer credits for education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated for equivalency through an acceptable credential evaluating agency, such as Spantran - MWCC Pathway (offers discounted services), Center for Educational Documentation (CED) or World Education Services (WES). Additional agencies may be found www.naces.org. Transfer credits must be completed at a regionally accredited college and official transcripts must be received thirty days prior to the application deadline for processing. Photocopies will not be reviewed or accepted. Transcripts that have not been processed for transfer credits will not be used in the ranking process.
  • Documentation demonstrating that all minimum requirements for consideration have been met.

Special Program Requirements for PTA

Please note that the following information must be received before courses begin:
 

  • Complete physical health examination conducted within the past two years by a licensed health care provider (Must be submitted on the MWCC Health Form).
  • Immunization Requirements for Health Science Students: Two (2) doses Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or positive titre; two (2) doses MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine or positive titers; three (3) doses Hepatitis B vaccine AND Hepatitis B titer showing immunity to the disease; one (1) TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine within 10 years; one (1) dose Meningococcal vaccine (ages 16-21); annual Influenza vaccine; full COVID vaccination. Additional boosters may be required during the program duration as designated by clinical sites; initial “2 step” PPD or Quantiferon Gold TB blood test and then annual TB testing (negative chest x-ray within 5 years AND annual TB Questionnaire also accepted). Contact the Student Services Office at 978-630-9855 for more information.
  • Liability insurance of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage is required. Students will be covered under the college’s liability insurance policy, which will be billed through student fees.
  • Current CPR Certification (Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider) is required. A certificate of completion must be presented to the health sciences department prior to entry into PTA courses.
  • All students in selective majors must participate in the Massachusetts Community College Health Insurance Plan or provide accurate information regarding comparable coverage.
  • Clinical sites may require the student obtain certain background checks (state/federal criminal or sexual offender), finger printing and/or drug testing before participating in the clinical experience.  Costs for these reviews will be the responsibility of the student. 

Matriculating PTA students are allowed to readmit to retake a PTA core course (courses with PTA prefix) one time only. In the event that the course is not passed with a 77 or better grade on the second attempt, the student will be withdrawn from the PTA program without the opportunity for readmission at a later date.

CORI/SORI Policy for the PTA Degree

(See the PTA application packet for more information)

Physical Therapist Assistant students will be required to complete a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check. It must be understood that a conviction in a court of law may prevent them from being placed in a clinical agency. This then will not allow successful completion of the PTA program. In addition, it will delay and may prohibit eligibility to take their respective state’s PTA licensure examination.

Please contact the MWCC Office of Admissions at 978-630-9447 or at admissions@mwcc.mass.edu for more information, to obtain an application, or to attend an information session for this program.