Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Recommendations

It is recommended for students to have access to a Windows compatible computer or device with a keyboard, and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off-campus.

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Pre-Program Information

Students who have pre-program status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-program status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, admission requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Program Health Advisement page.

Criminal Background Check

This is an admission requirement. Students will be provided direction on how to request a criminal background check from a third party vendor. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial will result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Program Emphasis

The PTA program is heavily science-based with a strong emphasis on the physical structure and function of the human body. Failure to pass General Anatomy & Physiology will prevent a student from continuing with the rest of the program core courses.

Courses Available to Pre-Program Students

By completing the courses listed below ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-program students complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-program students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially.

These courses are typical for pre-program students:

• 834-110 Elementary Algebra w/ Apps*
• 836-113 Prep for Basic Biology*
• 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry*
• 801-136 English Composition 1
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication or 801-198 Speech
• 809-188 Developmental Psychology
• 809-172 Intro to Diversity Studies
• 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology (high school or college chemistry with a C or better, or 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry is a co-requisite)

* These courses are admission requirements. If these requirements are not met, students may take those courses at CVTC.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program requirements may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Program Information

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Chippewa Valley Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 715-858-1885 or email spowell8@cvtc.edu.

Pre-Entrance Health History and Physical Exam

A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be completed and on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. The Admissions Office will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline.

Clinical Compliance

To be in compliance with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies. 

CPR

Obtain and maintain current CPR certification through either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. The certification required is BLS Provider or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. Proof must be verified with a current CPR card or an electronic certificate. Class rosters and letters from instructors or employers are not acceptable. The instructor will ask for a copy of the card or electronic certificate on the first day of clinical courses. CVTC offers 531-454 CPR-BLS Provider; find more information at cvtc.edu/seminars. PTA students are asked to complete this training when the program offers it during their August mandatory meeting or at least no sooner than one month prior to entering the core program. 

Healthcare Prep Seminar

This program requires attendance at a two-day in-person Healthcare Prep Seminar the week before the fall semester begins. Students will be sent invitations to these sessions via email and/or postal mail. Students will get to meet their cohort and faculty, complete CPR training, learn more about the program and resources, and how to be successful in the program.

Mandatory Meeting

New core program students will be invited to an informational meeting prior to starting the core classes. Invitations will be sent through email and/or postal mail. Please make sure a current email address and mailing address is on file.

Technology Requirements

Students must have regular access to a computer/laptop with an internet connection. Additionally, students will be required to have a webcam. Students may purchase a webcame from anywhere they choose or check one out from the CVTC Library.

Clinical Education

There are three clinical education experiences during the program. The first clinical is over the 3-week winter term prior to second semester. The second clinical is 8-weeks during summer term and the third clinical is an 8-week full-time experience in the final semester. During the full-time clinical, students will be working 40 hours/week in physical therapy departments around the region. The distance to some clinical sites will require travel time and/or housing arrangements for the duration of the clinical experience.

Licensure

• Is required in all states
• Must graduate from an accredited PTA program
• Must pass national licensure exam after graduation
• Must meet state's requirements for criminal background check

Career Progression

Employment possibilities are varied and offer many options based on location and interest areas of each person. There are several bridge programs as a way to progress from a PTA degree to a PT degree, if that is the desired outcome for a given student. These programs currently are offered at a Doctoral degree level. More information is on the APTA website. 

Last Updated: March 22, 2024 @ 2:19 p.m.