UC Clermont

Physical Therapist Assistant Admission Criteria

Entrance into UC Clermont’s physical therapist assistant program is competitive. Applications to the technical year of the Physical Therapist Assistant major are accepted on an annual and competitive basis during the Fall Semester. Admission to UC Clermont and completion of prerequisite coursework does not guarantee admission into the program.

The competitive admission application process for the second year of the PTA Program occurs annually in November/December. The competitive application is now closed.

For more information, please attend a virtual PTA info session or contact Carolyn Shisler, Program Director.

How to Apply

Submit both applications:

Selective Admission Application

Finish these courses by the end of the fall semester:

  • ALH1005 Health Care Edge
  • BIOL2001C Anatomy and Physiology 1 (B or better)
  • CHEM1020 Intro to Chemistry or Biochemistry (B or better)
  • ENG1001 English Composition
  • PSYC1001 Introduction to Psychology

Important:
Science courses must be completed within the last 6 years. General education courses are not subject to this time limit. In some cases, course exceptions may be considered on an individual basis. For specific questions, please contact Carolyn Shisler, Program Director, at Carolyn.Shisler@uc.edu.

Cumulative GPA: 3.0+ preferred (partial points for 2.8–2.999)

Science GPA: 3.0+ (based on A&P I and Chemistry courses)

  • Two Recommendation Letters:
    • One from a faculty member
    • One from a faculty member, employer, or PT/PTA 
  • ATI TEAS 7 Test:
    • Applicants are required to take the TEAS 7 and achieve at least the Proficient level. A score of 70% or higher is preferred and will earn full points, while Proficient scores below 70% can still earn partial points in the admission process.
    • Taken once per application cycle.
      • Free proctoring available at UC Clermont in November
    • Scores are valid for 3 years
    • Anticipated cost to the applicant: $70 at UC Clermont, $110 elsewhere
  • Extracurricular Activities:
    • Includes work experience, volunteering, certifications, honors or awards, and military/veteran status
  • Essay Response:
    • Graded on spelling, punctuation, and grammar (not physical therapy knowledge)

If you’re among the top applicants, you will be invited to Preview Night, where you will:

  • Explore the PTA Program and learn what to expect
  • Complete a written response to a prompt
  • Participate in a recorded interview with PTA Faculty

Application Deadlines and Key Timelines

PTA Program Application Deadlines and Timelines
Application Event Timeline
Application Window Opens in late fall and closes after the fall semester grades are posted
Preview Night Invitations Invitations to top applicants will be sent in late December. Preview Night is in early January
Admission Decisions Final selection notifications are sent in late January
Program Start Accepted students begin in the summer semester following the PTA application cycle

Application Review Process

How Your Application is Scored

  • Academics (Up to 30 points)
    • Science GPA (15 points)
      • B or better in Anatomy & Physiology I → 7.5 points
      • B or better in Chemistry → 7.5 points
    • Cumulative GPA (15 points)
      • 3.0 or higher → 15 points
      • 2.8–2.999 → 7.5 points
  • ATI TEAS 7 Test (Up to 30 points)
    • 90% or higher → 30 points
    • 80–89% → 27 points
    • 70–79% → 25 points
    • Below 70% → 25 minus 1 point for each % below 70
    • Requirement for Proficient or higher to apply
  • Essays & Interview (Up to 20 points)
    • Application Essay → 5 points
    • Preview Night Essay → 3 points
    • Recorded Interview → 12 points
  • Extracurriculars (Up to 8 points)
    • Balance work and school full-time work → 5 points
    • Balance work and school part-time work → 1–4 points
    • Student athlete → 4 points
    • Recent Volunteering → 1 point per activity
    • Awards/certifications → 1 point each (max 2)

Tip: Strong academics, a solid TEAS score and active involvement can really boost your total points!

 

What Does Holistic Review Mean

We use a scoring system to guide admissions, but your points aren’t the only thing that matters. Our review is holistic, which means we look at the whole person.

We consider:

  • Your academic record (grades, trends, and effort)
  • Your TEAS score
  • Your experiences (work, volunteering, extracurriculars)
  • Your personal qualities (professionalism, motivation, communication skills)

Why? Because success in the PTA program takes more than good grades—it takes commitment, resilience and the ability to work well with others.

Example:
A student with strong work experience and a great essay may still be admitted even if their TEAS score is lower than average.

Who Scores the Essays and Interviews

Your essay and interview are reviewed by the PTA Admissions Team, which includes experienced clinical partners and graduates of the program. This ensures your application is evaluated by professionals who understand what it takes to succeed in the PTA field.

Technical (2nd) Year Prerequisites

You must be accepted into the technical (second) year to begin summer courses.

This is different from general admission to UC Clermont.

Finish these before summer classes begin:

  • PTA1001 – Intro to PT Assisting & Ethics
  • BIOL2002C – Anatomy & Physiology II
  • PHYS1005C – Physics for Allied Health

Math Requirement:

  • MATH1021 – College Algebra OR
  • STAT1034/1031 – Elementary/Intro to Statistics
  • ENG2089 – Intermediate Composition
  • General Elective
  • 24 hours required in at least two different PT settings
  • Must be completed between January and May of the year the program begins
  • Prior observation hours accepted if completed within the past 2 years

For questions about Clinical Education for the PTA student, please contact Katie Faris at Katie.Faris@uc.edu. (513) 558-5201 or carolyn.shisler@uc.edu.