Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admission Guidelines

Applications for Fall 2026 entrance through Fall 2028 entrance (PHTA)

Minimum requirements to apply to the Physical Therapist program:

1. CCRI Application for Enrollment into General Studies with a pre-physical therapist assistant (PHTA) concentration.

2. Official copy of a high school transcript, GED® transcript or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion.

3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School GPA/GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2, Accuplacer scores or ENGL 1002 Critical Reading with a grade of A- or better [see below for points system]). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript.

4. Completion of RHAB 1100: Foundational Kinesiology is recommended and may be considered in the performance-based acceptance process.

5. Complete the following required pre-requisite courses with a grade of "B-" or better (these courses are limited to two attempts):

   • BIOL 2201 Anatomy and Physiology 1 (A&P1)
     

   • PHTA 1000: Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant

   • RHAB 1010: Medical Terminology for Rehab Health 

      

     
     

      

6. A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.7 for all college courses taken is required to apply to the program.

7. Complete a Preadmission Degree Evaluation.

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   All the above requirements must be met satisfactorily BEFORE submission of the Performance-Based Health Science (PBHS) application and does not guarantee acceptance.  Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements.  Once accepted into the program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Rehabilitative Health Department.
   

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8. Complete and submit an online PBHS application here.

   Deadlines are listed on the form.

Technical Standards: The physical activity level for the Physical Therapist Assistant is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Students must have the ability to perform essential physical skills and demonstrate the cognitive and behavioral skills or be able to perform them using compensatory techniques and/or adaptive devices. These essential skills can be found on the Essential Skills for PTA website.

Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from the Office of One Stop Student Services. Final acceptance to the program is dependent on the results of the background check. Anyone convicted of a crime may be unable to attend clinical experiences that are required to complete the program.

Policies following acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant program: 

• Students must have a physical examination and required immunizations completed prior to starting the program
• Students must have a current CPR card (American Heart Association, Health Care Provider Level) obtained through an AHA-recognized community training center.
  This course is available at CCRI through the division of Workforce Partnerships (https://www.ccri.edu/workforce/programs/healthcare/BLSCPR.html).
• Students must complete all general education requirements prior to taking PHTA 2020: Physical Therapist Assistant IV.

Please note: Requirements are subject to change. 

For more clarifying information regarding any of the above please contact the Office of One Stop Student Services at:

• Deb Watson, Newport Campus, [email protected], OR Craig Simpson, PTA Program Director, [email protected]

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admission Criteria Point System

The performance‐based acceptance process is based on the performance indicators identified for the program. A point system based on the admissions guidelines has been assigned to the performance criteria.

The criteria for the incoming class will include:

• pre-requisite course GPA consisting of grades from  BIOL 1010 / BIOL 2201 (A&P1), PHTA 1000 and RHAB 1010
• Grades for pre-requisite courses (above)
• Program's general education courses' GPA consisting of grades from BIOL 1020 / BIOL 2202 (A&P2), ENGL 1010, PSYC 2010, PSYC 2030, COMM 1010 and MATH 1025 (or other approved MATH course)
• Grades for completed general education courses completed (above)
• Selected Multiple Measure

In the event of a tie, students who have completed RHAB 1100: Foundational Kinesiology will receive preference over those who have not.  In the event of another tie, grades will also be considered for the required programmatic general education courses that are completed. 

Credits granted through AP, CLEP, challenge exams or assessment of prior learning will be recognized as satisfying course requirements and will be assigned points equivalent to a grade of "B."

Please review the Department of Health website to learn about licensing requirements for the health sciences professions.

Please note: A Social Security number is required to begin the licensing process for the health sciences professions.

 

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