This document provides information about applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at HGTC, including prerequisites, deadlines, and admission requirements. Applicants must complete prerequisites with a minimum 2.5 GPA, take the TEAS admission test, attend an information session, and complete 20 hours of observation. Admission is competitive with 32 students accepted each year based on a weighted criteria. Accepted students must submit a $500 deposit, pass a background check and drug test, receive required immunizations, and obtain CPR certification. The 5 semester PTA program starts each fall.

1. Physical Therapist Assistant Degree
5 semester program (Pre-reqs plus 4
semesters technical).
Admission is based on weighted criteria.
Applications Due:
May 15 of each year to apply for the
following Fall semester class on the Grand
Strand Campus.
Late or Incomplete applications will not
be reviewed for admission.

2. To Apply for the PTA program you must:
1. Apply to and be accepted at HGTC, which includes paying
the $30 application fee, submitting official high school and
college transcripts and submitting the “Additional
Admission/Placement Requirements Affidavit.”( The
Affidavit is viewable on the next slide and may be printed
from the “Forms” box on the Libguides page.)
2. Complete the 6 prerequisite courses with grades of C or
higher and within the required Departmental time limits.
3. Have a 2.5 GPA in all prerequisite/core courses completed.
4. Take the TEAS test – 2 year time limit.
5. Attend an Info Session with the PTA Department - 2 year
time limit. Links to the Info Session dates and times are on
your main Libguides page. You may also view it online
when available.
6. Submit proof of 20 hours of observations completed in the
three years prior to applying for the PTA program.
7. May not be on academic or disciplinary suspension.

3. Additional Admission
Placement Affidavit

4. Physical Therapist Assistant Courses
Required GPA of 2.5 with grades of C or higher
Prerequisite Courses
ENG 101* – English Composition
PSY 201 – General Psychology
Humanities – choose one humanities(ART 101, 105, 108, ENG
201,202,205,206,208,209,214,224,FRE 201,202,HIS 101,102,201,202, MUS
105, PHI 101, 110, 201, REL 103, SPA 201, 202, THE 101
MAT 110 or 120** – College Algebra or Probability and Statistics
BIO 210 ***– Anatomy and Physiology I (5 year time limit)
BIO 211 - Anatomy and Physiology II (5 year time limit)
Core Courses
ENG 102 – English Composition II
SPC 205 – Public Speaking
PSY 203 – Human Growth and Development
*English Progression/dependent on test scores: ENG 032-ENG 100-ENG 101 – ENG 102
**Math Progression/dependent on test scores: MAT 032-MAT 101-MAT 120
MAT 032-MAT 101-MAT 102-MAT 110
***BIO 210 has a prerequisite of BIO 101, BIO 112 or CHM 110 or the required test scores:
Compass: Reading – 85, Writing – 78, Algebra – 46
SAT: Verbal - 480, Math – 440
ACT: Reading -19, English – 19, Math-21

5. TEAS TEST INFORMATION
Pre - registration is required at www.atitesting.com
Cost : $61.00
Version: 5
170-question, multiple-choice test with a time limit of 209 minutes.
Reading Section is 58 minutes with 48 questions
Science Section is 66 minutes with 54 questions
English and Language Usage Section is 34 minutes with 34 questions
Mathematics Section is 51 minutes with 34 questions (calculators are not permitted)
May retest every 3 months – retesting without waiting 3 months will make new
score invalid.
Scores are valid for 2 years.
The test is given on a computer and you receive your results immediately.
You may test at other colleges/locations and have your scores sent to HGTC.
Time: Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: Bldg. 1000, Speir Building, Grand Strand Campus
Dates: Please check www.atitesting.com for test dates.

6. TEAS Test Prep Resources @ the HGTC Library
Books (Available for 3-week checkout)**
CN GS GT
Complete TEAS V! : Test of Essential Academic Skills study guide and practice
tests
1 1 1
McGraw-Hill's 5 TEAS practice tests 1
Reserves (Available for 3-hour, Library Use Only checkout)
Study Manual for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Version V 2 2 1
Study Manual for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) : Reading,
mathematics, science and English and language usage
1
eBooks (Available for 3-week checkout)
Teas Crash Course Book (1 copy)
McGraw-Hill Education 5 Teas Practice Tests (1 copy)
**When all HGTC books are checked out, please use PASCAL Delivers (a state-wide
interlibrary loan service). When searching in the HGTC catalog, click the PASCAL icon
to check the combined catalog of SC colleges and universities for TEAS titles.
Learning Express Library (linked on the home page of the HGTC Library's website) is
another online resource with practice tests and study materials for nursing and
health science entrance exams in addition to the COMPASS exam. Both of these
alternatives are FREE.
Questions? http://libanswers.hgtc.edu/
Study Guides are also available for purchase in the bookstore, Barnes and Noble
and Amazon.

7. Information Session with the Department Chair
This session will be attended in person or online. In person
sessions do not require pre-registration or RSVP - just show
up.
During this time the PTA faculty will tell you about classes,
clinicals, fees, jobs, and everything you need to know
about working in the field of Physical Therapy. A great time
to have your questions answered.
In person sessions allow you to take a tour of HGTC’s PTA
educational facilities and see the state of the art equipment
you will be training to use.
Links to the dates and times of in person sessions or to view
the online sessions are available on your health science
Libguides page, http://libguides.hgtc.edu/healthscience

8. Complete 20 hours of observations
PTA applicants are required to schedule and complete 20 hours
of observations in a PTA facility. Observation hours must be
completed in the three years prior to submitting your PTA
application.
Scheduling and completing the observations is the students
responsibility. A list of facilities is available in the forms box on
your Libguides page.
Observations may be completed at more than one facility – as
long as the combined hours equal at least 20 hours.
The observation form( provided in the form box as well) must
be signed by a licensed PT or PTA. Their contact information
and license number must be included.
The completed observation form should be submitted to the
Admissions office on any campus by the application deadline.
You are encouraged to attach it to your application.

10. The scoring criteria in the previous slide is used to
determine which applicants will be accepted into the
PTA program. 32 students with the highest number of
points are accepted each year.
Every year varies and there is no minimum points for
acceptance. Acceptance depends on your points vs.
the points of the other applicants at that time.
Therefore admissible points may change each review
period.
Acceptance into the PTA program is limited and
competitive. There is no guarantee of acceptance.
Your grades are very important. Even though the
minimum GPA requirement is 2.50 you should strive
for a much higher GPA.

11. Be the Best Applicant You Can Be!
Applying with the highest number of points you can obtain is
important!!!
You may increase your points by:
Retaking the TEAS – Your score is not high enough for points or you want to obtain more
points for your score? You can retake it – just be sure to wait three months in between
each time you take it.
Taking 8 credit hours of your prerequisite/General Ed courses at HGTC or Coastal Carolina
University – this will give you 2 points in Option B.
Applying for and obtaining residency status – go to
http://www.hgtc.edu/admissions/residency.html for a residency application. Obtaining a
South Carolina driver’s license and car registration (if the car is in your name) are normally
an important part of this process. Read the application and instructions carefully.
Applying with the best grades possible! The grades in your prereq courses play a large part
in PTA acceptance for Option B. Have a C in MAT 120? Consider retaking it or take MAT 110
(has a prereq of MAT 102) to achieve a higher grade. Achieving an A in either may increase
your GPA high enough to get another point on your application. Have a C in your
humanities? Why not try a different humanities course and strive for a higher grade to
increase your GPA and hopefully your points. You can use the calculator on the Libguides
page to see how much your GPA will increase by retaking or taking a different course in the
same prereq category (such as math or humanities) and receiving a higher grade. Always
check with financial aid before retaking courses as it may affect your Satisfactory Academic
Progress if you retake too many or already have W’s, F’s or D’s in other courses.

12. These requirements must be completed AFTER being accepted
into the program. The college will provide you with the
instructions about when to complete these requirements in your
notification of initial acceptance into the program. Please plan
ahead to cover the costs of these items. Failure to complete
these requirements within the designated time frame will
prohibit your progression into the program.
• Submit $500.00 deposit to reserve your seat. This is an out of pocket expense
– not covered by financial aid.
• Pass Certified Background Check and Drug Screening – cost to you is $106.00.
The return of an unfavorable CBS and/or UDS may result in student being
removed from desired program. Clinical sites/facilities determine applicant’s
eligibility to participate in clinical studies based on their policies. If you
complete the background check before being instructed to do so you will have
to redo it and pay the $106 again. The Background Check and payment of $106
will be required every semester while in the program.
• Complete a Health Physical and submit proof of required immunizations.
(Physical cost is your responsibility so plan ahead financially.)
• Show proof of current Health Care Providers CPR. You may take a class through
HGTC’s Workforce Development Department. Register at
www.hgtc.edu/jobtraining. This course costs $69 and in addition will require
the purchase of a book and mask.

13. Other expenses for which you are responsible
may include, but are not limited to, the items
listed here. Costs are approximate and may
vary slightly.

14. Physical Therapist Assistant is a 5 (prereq and technical combined)
semester program beginning each Fall semester (August) on the Grand
Strand Campus. Classes and clinicals associated with this program are
during the day. Once accepted you will attend year round, including
summer. Please plan ahead financially as you may not receive financial
aid for the summer.
Of course, if you have already completed the core courses such as PSY 203, SPC
205, etc. you do not have to retake them in the program.
Clinicals will vary by semester but may require 1-2 days a week. Students may
have to travel up to a 50 mile radius to fulfill clinical requirements so
transportation and gas money must be available.

15. Thank you for completing the Power
Point STEPS session.
Please view the checklist
underneath the STEPS session on
the Libguides page and submit it to
receive credit for the required
session.
You will need your H number
(Student ID number) to submit the
checklist.