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Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Frequently Asked Questions

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PTA Program

  1. Are the On-Campus and Online PTA Programs accredited?

    Yes. Both PTA programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). You may contact CAPTE at the following address and phone number for clarification:

    Department of Accreditation
    American Physical Therapy Association
    1111 North Fairfax Street
    Alexandria, VA 22314

    Mr. Doug Clarke (1-800-999-2782 ext. 3241)-PTA Liaison to CAPTE

  2. What are the benefits of attending the PTA Program at San Juan College?

    Value! San Juan College offers a state-of-the-art lab with four dedicated full-time faculty. SJC has one of the first online PTA programs in the nation accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). San Juan College is located in Farmington, NM in the Four Corners Area, where NM adjoins CO, AZ, and UT. Tuition at SJC is $32 per credit hour for residents and $70 per credit hour for non-residents.

  3. Is the Online PTA Program completely online?

    No. The Online Program requires students to be at San Juan College approximately eight to sixteen days per PTA lab course toward the end of each semester, to include weekends. For the first year, online students are required to be at SJC approximately eight days in April for PTAP 125, eight days in July for PTAP 150, and fourteen days in November for PTAP 140 and PTAP 160. For the second year, online students are required to be at SJC approximately thirteen days in April for PTAP 210 and eight days in July for PTAP 250. In total, online students are required to be at SJC for approximately seven weeks over a two year period.

  4. What about lodging near San Juan College?

    San Juan College does not have on-campus housing. Therefore, online students should consider area lodging. We do have an agreement with local hotels for a San Juan College hotel rate. If accepted into the technical program, this information will be provided in the acceptance packet. More information about hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts can be obtained through the Directory at the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. For directions to San Juan College, click on Maps and Directions.

  5. When does the PTA Program start?

    Both PTA programs start in January of each year. Students must complete the application packet before August 1st. All of the prerequisite courses must be completed before January to be considered for the PTA program. Each program accepts 20 applicants every year. Applicants are ranked based on the following selection criteria: GPA in the Prerequisite Courses (65%), Admissions Exam Score (20%), Letters of Recommendations (15%), New Mexico Resident Credit (5%) and a Re-Applicant Credit (1%) for applicants re-applying due to being previously placed on a waiting list to enter the program. The Admissions Exam will be the HOAE Exam for applicants applying before August 1, 2010. The Admissions Exam will be the HOBET Exam for applicants applying after August 1, 2010.

  6. Are the prerequisite courses available online?

    All of the prerequisite courses are available online through San Juan College. If applying to the online program, it is strongly recommended that you take most of the prerequisites through San Juan College. This will ensure transfer of classes and help you become familiar with the online class process in ANGEL.

  7. How do I apply?

    Print the PTA Program application from the website. Follow the checklist provided on the first page of the application. All of the application materials must be received by the PTA Program before August 1st. You are strongly encouraged to call the PTA Program at (505) 566-3425 in July to verify that your application is on-track for completion.

  8. Can the programs be completed at my own pace?

    No. The courses for both PTA programs must be taken in the scheduled sequence.

  9. What about the clinical externships?

    There are two part-time and three full-time clinical externships. All externships may be completed near a student’s place of residence if a legal clinical contract can be established between the physical therapy facility and San Juan College. A student cannot complete any clinical rotation within a facility where they are currently or have been employed.

  10. Can I be exempt from any PTA courses if I have a previous degree in athletic training or related field?

    No. The coursework in the PTA program at San Juan College is specifically designed for physical therapist assistants. For example, if you have taken kinesiology for your previous degree, you must still take clinical kinesiology in our program. PTAP 125 Clinical Kinesiology focuses on kinesiology related to physical therapy.

  11. Am I considered a resident of New Mexico?

    Students are classified as resident or non-resident based on the information provided on the initial admission application. To be considered a resident, you must reside in the state for 12 consecutive months previous to your enrollment. If questions are raised while completing the admission application, additional documentation is required and includes such things as NM driver’s license, car registration, voter registration, payment of NM income tax, bank accounts, etc. Students who are considered a resident of New Mexico will receive a 5 point credit in the selection criteria.

  12. What other fees do I need to know about related to the PTA Program?

    The PTA Program charges a non-refundable program fee of $150 per semester for the On-Campus Program and $250 per semester for the Online Program.

  13. I have a degree. Can my transfer credits meet all of the PTA program prerequisites?

    No. Your transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine which courses are transferable to SJC and if any courses might be substituted for a prerequisite course for the PTA Program. The admissions office at San Juan College will make the final determination regarding the classes that will be accepted for transfer.

  14. Can I test or CLEP out of any classes?

    No. Since our acceptance policy is based on a GPA criterion, we must have a grade for every class you would like us to consider for transfer.

  15. When do I find out if I was accepted into the technical program?

    In mid-December, once fall semester final grades are posted for all applicants, students are ranked according to the selection criteria. The PTA Program accepts the top 20 applicants for both programs and places the remaining students on a waiting list. An online student on the waiting list may choose to switch to the on-campus program if there are openings in the on-campus program.