Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

• WRIT 1310 and 1311
• ACSM 1100
• MATH 1315
• PSYC 1310
• THEO 1310
• BIOL 1110
• BIOL 2310
• BIOL 2310L
• BIOL 2311
• PTAP 2410
• PTAP 2310L
• Philosophy Elective
• Natural Science Elective

There are two ways in which a student can qualify for guaranteed admission into the physical therapist assistant program:

• A student who enters the University as a freshman is guaranteed admission to the PTA program when:

  • All prerequisite courses toward the PTA degree are taken at FranU with at least a grade point average of 3.0 on all prerequisite coursework.

  • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

• A transfer student is guaranteed admission to the desired program when:

  • Required prerequisite coursework in the physical therapist assistant program (including courses that are in progress at the time of application to the University) are transferred in with at least a grade point average of 3.2 in these courses.

  • A grade point average of at least 3.0 is maintained while completing remaining prerequisite courses at the University.

  • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

*Selection is competitive and is limited due to clinical resources available. Qualification does not assure selection.

Upon entry into the clinical portion of the desired program, all students must have successfully completed all program specific admissions requirements.

• Completion of 100 (recommended) volunteer or work experience hours in a physical therapy clinic or department under the direct supervision of a licensed PT or PTA practitioner. (It is recommended that the 100 hours of volunteer/work experience includes hours in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.)

  • Volunteer or work experience in a physical therapy department provides the opportunity to explore the practice of physical therapy, identify the roles of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants within the clinic and observe the treatment settings and patient characteristics in which physical therapy is practiced.

  • Hours contributing to the total applicant’s work or volunteer experience must be verified at each physical therapy facility by a supervising PT or PTA. Hours should be verified via the “clinical” recommendation letter form that is included as part of the online application. Unverified hours will not be counted toward the applicant's work or volunteer experience total.

  • Only volunteer or work hours obtained prior to turning in the application packet will be used in the admissions process.

  • Completed application form, with official transcripts of college grades from all colleges/universities attended.

• Additional documentation of evidence that attest to the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the PTA program, which includes but is not limited to:

  • Life experiences

  • Extraordinary educational accomplishments (honors courses, academic clubs, additional degrees or certifications, academic scholarships, etc.)

  • Personal attributes/characteristics

  • Proven leadership experiences

  • Effective communication skills

  • Effective time management and organizational skills

  • Ability to overcome academic challenges

  • Community service activities

  • Motivation and initiative

  • Application of critical thinking and problem-solving skills

  • Cross-cultural experiences, etc.

• Life experiences that may have prohibited academic success but contributed to overall personal development. The following are provided as examples only: family crisis, financial hardships, educational hardships, personal conflict, etc.

Admission priority is given to applicants who demonstrate:

• Higher cumulative and program prerequisites GPA scores (a sliding scale)

• Higher numbers of volunteer or work hours completed (100 hours = full credits)

• At least two physical therapy settings in which they have worked or volunteered (two or more = full credit)

• Higher clinical supervisor ratings on clinical recommendation form(s)

• Successful completion of all Arts and Science prerequisites courses at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

• Guaranteed admission policy for transfer students

Note: Applicants with a positive criminal background or record may or may not be accepted to the PTA program, based on the individual nature of the offense. All applicants with a criminal background should plan to meet with the admissions committee to discuss their individual case and also acknowledge that accepting a place within the PTA program comes with some inherent risk of the Louisiana PT Board not granting an applicant with a positive criminal background licensure to practice within the state of Louisiana.

There are two ways in which a student can qualify for guaranteed admission into the physical therapist assistant program:

• A student who enters the University as a freshman is guaranteed admission to the PTA program when:

  • All prerequisite courses toward the PTA degree are taken at FranU with at least a grade point average of 3.0 on all prerequisite coursework.

  • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

• A transfer student is guaranteed admission to the desired program when:

  • Required prerequisite coursework in the physical therapist assistant program (including courses that are in progress at the time of application to the University) are transferred in with at least a grade point average of 3.2 in these courses.

  • A grade point average of at least 3.0 is maintained while completing remaining prerequisite courses at the University.

  • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

*Selection is competitive and is limited due to clinical resources available. Qualification does not assure selection.

Upon entry into the clinical portion of the desired program, all students must have successfully completed all program specific admissions requirements.

The application cycle to the FranU PTA program begins in October and concludes February 1 of the following year. During this time, the student interested in the physical therapist assistant program should consult with the Office of Advising to begin the process of being admitted to the University and subsequently applying to the PTA program.

The Department of Advising can assist you as you submit all of the documents needed for admission to the University. The Office of Admissions will review your transcripts and other documents. Once you are admitted into the University, you would next meet again with the Office of Advising to set your spring semester schedule and begin the process of applying to the PTA program. Each year, the program admits students to begin in the summer semester.