South Texas College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program was recently awarded the maximum 10 year re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), a division of the American Physical Therapy Association. STC’s PTA Program, the only one of its kind serving the Rio Grande Valley, was founded in 1997. The program has been nationally accredited since 1998.         

“Maintaining accreditation is crucial for the continuation of our program,” said physical therapist Diana Hernandez, Program Chair for the PTA Program. “To become a licensed PTA, graduates must pass the national licensure exam. The only way graduates can even sit for this test is to have received their degree from an accredited program. If we were to lose our accreditation, our program would lose its credibility.” 

According to Hernandez, “CAPTE reviewed every aspect of the program and the college to ensure that STC is graduating high quality therapists.” 

The PTA Program began the lengthy re-accreditation process in the spring of 2005 with submission of a comprehensive self-study report designed to substantiate the program’s full compliance with national standards. Four areas were addressed in the self-study, including organization, resources, curriculum and program assessment. In June of 2005, the program then underwent an intensive site review by 3 representatives of CAPTE.  During the visit, the reviewers interviewed faculty members, current students, alumni, clinicians, college administrators and representatives from various STC departments.

“This accomplishment is a result of not only the hard work and efforts made by the PTA faculty and staff, but also the contributions from other departments and individuals who participated in the process.”      

Parallel to the accreditation of PTA Programs, the APTA’s Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). As the Commission is currently undergoing its own recognition process, the USDE has asked that a copy of a self-study report from a program accredited by CAPTE be included. In reviewing self-study reports recently received from several colleges, the Commission recognized the STC PTA Program report as a model appropriate for submission. As such, Hernandez was asked to assist in CAPTE’s recognition process by providing a copy of the STC self-study submitted in 2005; it will serve as an example of how a program responded to the national criteria. 

“Obviously, we are honored to have received this opportunity,” said Hernandez.    

The STC PTA Program is committed to training skilled health care providers who work under the supervision of a physical therapist, assisting in implementing treatment programs to help restore or improve function, relieve pain, encourage independence and educate patients and their families. The program consists of two years of full-time classroom and laboratory instruction, in addition to hands-on clinical training offered in cooperation with area medical facilities. Students must also commit to participation in the Student Physical Therapist Assistant Club, which is dedicated to providing networking and volunteer opportunities, developing leadership skills and promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of community service.

“It is not uncommon for a new graduate to earn $45,000 or more. Most people say ‘this sounds great for a two year degree’. It is important for students to realize however, that this is a commitment which requires not only intense study, but also an investment of time, energy and resources,” said Hernandez. “We don’t focus on the monetary gain for potential applicants, but on helping them understand that at the core of the job is service and dedication to enhancing the lives of others. The curriculum is designed to offer exposure to a variety of treatment settings, where the student gains a better appreciation for the role of a PTA.”

The STC PTA Program admits a class of 16 students each fall. Admission is limited in order to maintain compliance with national standards and to ensure that each student receives one-on-one attention and guidance. Since its inception, the program has graduated seven classes for a total of 62 graduates. To date, the program maintains a one hundred percent pass rate on the PTA licensure exam with the average STC score surpassing national averages. Ninety-six percent of graduates passed the exam on the first attempt. There are numerous job opportunities for graduates; in many cases students are recruited prior to program completion. As such, the program maintains a 100 percent job placement for students following graduation.

“There is a definite need for skilled PTA’s in this area. We are seeing a surge in medical facilities, turning the region into a medical mecca of sorts, serving people south of Corpus Christi and Laredo. Previously, many PTA positions were filled by contract therapists from out of the area. As the majority of our graduates are natives of the Rio Grande Valley and have chosen to stay and work in their communities, we are helping to meet the demand for therapists in our area,” said Hernandez. “With the support of the college leadership and local facilities, the program is able to graduate not just skilled therapists, but well-rounded professionals who will serve their community well.”

As the PTA Program is a selective entry program it is recommended that students receive early faculty advising to ensure adequate preparation. For more information about the PTA Program, contact the program office at (956) 872-3161 or visit the STC Nursing and Allied Health Home Page at http://www.southtexascollege.edu/nah/  Additional information regarding accreditation may be obtained from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; accreditation@apta.org; (703) 684-2782 or (703) 706-3245.  For general information about STC, please visit www.southtexascollege.edu.

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