Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Admission Requirements

The successful applicant for admission to the associate of science program must meet the general college requirements for admission to Mercy College and the criteria listed below. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a professional program. Upon being granted general College admissions, students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses in the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students are encouraged to take LAS courses at Mercy College to meet any unmet program requirements below:

1. First-time College Students:
   1. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.7

   2. Minimum ACT composite score of 20 or higher

2. Transfer Students:
   1. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the last college attended (minimum of nine (9) credits)

   2. Complete nine (9) college credit hours specific to the Mercy College ASPTA curriculum, achieve a grade of “C” or higher (not “C-“) in each course.

3. Demonstrate completion of one year of high school or one semester of college-level coursework with a grade of at least a 2.0 ("C" not "C-") on a 4.0 scale in each of these required courses:
   1. Algebra I
   2. Biology
   3. English

   4. Physics

4. Provide documentation of a 40-hour observation in a physical therapy department(s) with a minimum of at two levels of care (e.g. acute hospital, skilled nursing facility, school setting, out-patient physical therapy clinic). Equivalent work experience in rehabilitation will be accepted to fulfill care experiences required. Observation forms will be provided by the Program Chair. Documentation of observation must be received by the Program Chair prior to the applicant being scheduled for an interview.

5. Provide two letters of recommendation: one letter from an academic resource and one letter from a clinical resource. Forms are provided. Letters must be received prior to the applicant being scheduled for an interview.
    

6. Achieve an interview score of 80% or higher with the Selection Committee. This interview is scheduled when all other admissions requirements have been met.

Note – Eligibility for licensure following certificate or degree completion may be restricted if a person has been convicted of a felony or has an abuse record. Students should contact the Admissions Department prior to admission if their eligibility is in question.

MCHS has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone : 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). Candidacy is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation.