Apply for admission at SLCC (if you have not attended SLCC within the last three years).  Declare Health Sciences as your Area of Study and Physical Therapist Assistant as your Program of Study. Meet early with an Academic Advisor to ensure that all prerequisites and submission requirements are completed before applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

• MySLCC
• Click on "Discover" (Found on the top left under the three horizontal lines next to the SLCC logo)
• Type in "Selective Admissions Forms
• Click on "Health Science Program Admissions"
• Physical Therapist Assistant

(Physical Therapist Assistant will only appear in menu during open application periods.)

Admission Guide for Student Selection

Selection is based on points in the following areas:

• Pre-requisite course grades above the minimum requirement.
• HESI exam score above the minimum requirement.
• Essay meeting the following expectations: introduction and conclusion relating to topics provided on essay prompt, content, organization of content, examples to support content, and language and mechanics. 

Notification of Acceptance

You will be notified of your acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant program via the account you provided on your SLCC application. If you are not checking it you may miss important information. If you are accepted to a program a confirmation email will be required, please read all emails carefully and thoroughly to make sure you don't miss any information. You will receive further instructions regarding your student orientation as well as a random drug screening.

You will be notified of your acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant program via the email you provided on your SLCC application. 

Acceptances into the Physical Therapist Assistant program will be given on a "conditional" basis.  Students must complete the following within the allotted time in their conditional acceptance letter to receive a full acceptance:

1. Order Complio compliance package.
2. Order background check.
3. Upload and enter documentation showing compliance for immunizations.
4. Complete the American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS Provider CPR certification.

Once all of the above items have been completed, the student will need to contact the Admissions Office for verification of compliance.  If compliant, a full acceptance letter will be sent with additional instructions for anything else that will need to be completed before beginning the program. 

Please read all emails carefully and thoroughly to make sure you don't miss any information. If additional seats become available, new candidates will be accepted based on their place in the applicant ranking system. 

Please do not initiate any of the compliance tasks unless you have received a conditional acceptance letter.

Background Check and Compliance Package

A full criminal background check is required for the Phyiscal Therapist Assistant Program.  Please follow the steps below.

To order Criminal Background Check and Compliance Packages:

1. Go to Complio - background and compliance management system.
2. Follow the instructions to set up an account.
3. Order the Criminal Background Check Package ($29.00) and the Compliance Package ($16.00). The compliance package is a 12 months subscription and will need to be renewed every 12 months you are in the program at a cost of $16.00.

Students who do not receive favorable background checks, may not be able to sit for national certification exams or meet the requirements for clinical placement.  Students who do not receive favorable background checks should contact the Health Sciences Admissions Coordinator immediately.  An unfavorable background check may prevent acceptance into the program. The School of Health Sciences strongly recommends that prospective students take measures to have criminal offenses (felonies and or misdemeanors) expunged if possible.  Information regarding how to expunge criminal records may be found here:  https://www.utcourts.gov/howto/expunge/

The Background Check, Compliance Package and Drug Screening must be completed before you begin your internship.

Immunizations

Proof of immunization is required by clinical affiliates and must be completed upon acceptance into the program. Clinical affiliates mandate all students comply with program immunization requirements, as failure to immunize is not only a risk to patients but also students. Failure to immunize may result in the inability to place students at clinical sites, which would also preclude students from completing required clinical coursework.  Students that cannot comply may forfeit their placement in the program. Students claiming a religious or personal exemption for an immunization should fill out this form (link) and provide to the Associate Dean of the specific program.  Students claiming an allergy to an immunization should complete this form (link) and provide to the Admissions Coordinator in the Dean’s Office.  The School of Health Sciences does not guarantee that clinical affiliates will accept exemption requests.

In your Compliance Package, you must provide proof of the following immunizations:

1. Annual Influenza Vaccination:
   Required annually, students must provide proof of receiving the Influenza vaccination between September 1 and October 31 or submit a signed exemption request form between September 1 and October 31.
2. Tuberculosis Blood Test: Required Annually
   Proof of a negative QuantiFERON TB Gold test, 2-step PPD or T-SPOT.TB; if positive, you must submit a chest x-ray read by a radiologist with a normal result; if the chest x-ray is abnormal, you must be cleared by your physician or local health department. This requirement also includes international students who have had the BCG immunization. Once in the program an annual Quantiferon test or 1- Step PPD will be required. The need for a repeat chest x-ray will be done on a case-by-case basis.
3. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) Booster:
   Tdap booster is good for 10 years. TD will be given subsequent to Tdap. 
4. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR):
   Proof of two doses or a positive titer (blood draw) on all three (measles, mumps and rubella). Equivocal results are not acceptable; you must test in the positive range if you choose to do a titer.  NOTE: If given to adult females, since this is a live virus, you cannot be pregnant at the time you receive the immunization and you must avoid pregnancy for 3 months after administration.
5. Varicella (Chicken Pox): Proof of two doses or a positive titer (blood draw). Stating you had the disease is not acceptable. Varicella immunizations are expensive, if you had the disease it is recommended to start with a less expensive titer first for proof of immunity before starting the immunizations.
6. Hepatitis B vaccination series:
   You must provide proof of a Hep B titer (blood draw) with a positive (reactive) result. If your titer is negative (non-reactive) or equivocal you will need to reinitiate the three shot series and provide proof of that series and a repeat titer. The series of shots can take up to 6 months so please plan ahead so this does not delay or jeopardize your admissions and clinical placement.
7. Hepatitis A vaccination series: Highly recommended but not required
   Proof of a two dose series or a positive titer. If you start the series, you must complete it.
8. COVID Vaccine: Proof of complete doses or an approved Health Sciences exemption form on file. Unvaccinated students may not be eligible to be placed or complete a clinical requirement necessary for graduation. *Subject to change based on mandates*

The SLCC Center for Health and Counseling offers immunizations at a discounted rate for students who are low income. For a discounted rate, take your previous income tax return or your last 30 days pay stubs.
Note that some clinical facilities may require additional immunizations.

Changes based on CDC recommendations, see below links:

• Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations
• Testing Health Care Workers
• Hepatitis B FAQs for Health Professionals

All immunization information is subject to change. Please contact us at 801-957-6253 if you have questions.

CPR Certification

American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS Provider card valid 2 years through the month of December graduation.