Applications for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program will be accepted through April 1.
To be considered for admission to the Physical Therapy Assistant Program, all application materials must be received by the Office of Rehabilitation Sciences by April 1.
Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
Mandatory Eligibility Requirements
- Apply to Shawnee State University
- Complete Health Science Program Application
- Complete PTA Math and Science Worksheet (PDF)
- Students enrolled within the PTA Program must be at least 18 years of age (State of Ohio requirement as of January, 2020)
- Submit official transcripts from high school, previous colleges, and universities.
- Possess an overall GPA of 2.66.
- For students applying with less than 24 college semester credit hours, GPA will be calculated using high school transcripts
- For students applying with 24 or more college semester credit hours, GPA will be calculated using college transcripts
- Possess a science/math GPA of 2.66.
- For students applying with less than 24 college semester credit hours, GPA will be calculated using high school transcripts
- For students applying with 24 or more college semester credit hours, GPA will be calculated using college transcripts
- Minimum composite score on ACT of 18 or equivalent SAT. The ACT requirement will be waived for those applicants with a confirmed Bachelor degree at time of the application
- Update for 2023 - NOW REQUIRED: Perform 40 hours of job shadowing in a minimum of two different PT settings with a licensed PT or PTA (20 hours in each setting).
- Submit at least 2 completed evaluations from licensed PT/PTA confirming job shadowing: Observation Hours Evaluation Form (PDF)
- Please review the Appendix for Physical Therapist Assistant Application Packet (PDF) for more information on the application process.
- The curriculum in the Physical Therapist Assistant program meets the requirements for taking the licensure in all 50 states.
Contact Ryan Walker, PTA Program Director at rwalker@shawnee.edu or (740) 351-3428 for more information.
Application/Matriculation Rates
Applicants are ranked according to the following criteria:
- Overall GPA
- Science/Math GPA
- ACT Composite (Applicants that have a confirmed bachelor degree on their transcript do not have to repeat the ACT)
Students are awarded points based on the ACT composite score in the following manner:
- 18 = 1
- 19 = 1.5
- 20 = 2
- 21 = 2.5
- 22 = 3
- 23 = 3.5
- 24 = 4
- 25 = 4.5
- 26 = 5
- 27 = 5.5
- 28 = 6
- 29 = 6.5
- 30+ = 7
- Observation hour evaluations from the PT/PTA that was observed and signed log of hours.
Other Information
Applicants may be invited to participate in a group information/interview - notification of date/time will be prearranged. (Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview.)
The PTA program typically has between 55-75 applicants that meet the eligibility requirements. The PTA program accepts no more than 24 applicants each year.
The PTA program is 5 semesters in length (2 academic years). The program curriculum includes general education, technical education and clinical education components. View suggested PTA program curriculum path (PDF)