Physical Therapist Assistant Admission Criteria

At UC Clermont, admission to the college is open-access; however, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program follows a competitive admission process and requires a separate application.

Application Steps:

1. College Application: All prospective students must be UC students or applicants to the university by completing the general college application.

2. PTA Program Application: The PTA Program has its own application, separate from the college application. Application Access: The online application for the second year/technical year is available on the Selective Program Admission website. The application opens annually on November 1 and closes at the end of the University of Cincinnati’s fall semester.

Pre-requisites—the following courses need to be completed or in progress for application:

• 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.

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

Science GPA: 3.0+ preferred (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
    • Need help with cost? Contact Carolyn Shisler at Carolyn.Shisler@uc.edu if the exam fee is a barrier.
• Extracurricular Activities
  • Includes work experience, volunteering, certifications, honors or awards, and military/veteran status
• Letters of Recommendation
  • required faculty recommendation (up to 5 points) and 
  • other recommendation (faculty, employer, job shadowed PT/PTA) (up to 5 points)
• Essay Response
  • Graded on spelling, punctuation, and grammar (not physical therapy knowledge)

• 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
• Letters of Recommendation (10 points)
  • Faculty Recommendation → 5 points
  • Other recommendation (faculty, employer, job shadowed PT/PTA) → 5 points
• 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!

• 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.

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.