How difficult is it to get into the PTA Program?

Admission is competitive and requires preparation. Normally there are about 100 applicants each fall. The program can accept a maximum of 32 students. Not all applicants complete all requirements for admission. Please see prerequisites for information on how to prepare for admission.

What should I expect during the admission interview?

You will meet with one or more of the physical therapy faculty to discuss your interest in and capacity to work as a physical therapist assistant. You will be expected to have gained first-hand knowledge of what PTAs do and have considered how you would be good for the field as well as what being a PTA would do for you. You will need to demonstrate good verbal communication skills essential for working in a patient care setting. Our goal is to use the interview to help you and us make a decision about the appropriateness of physical therapy as a career for you.

What courses can I take before I get started in the program?

Any of the general education courses listed in the PTA curriculum.

When can I begin the PTA courses at Oakton?

The PTA sequence of courses begins in the fall semester (mid-August).

How much will it cost me to go to Oakton?

Tuition rates are available on the Tuition and Fees Web page. Lab fees vary.

Note: Through a joint agreement or chargeback, students may attend and pay in-district tuition at a community college outside their home district if they are pursuing a certificate or degree. Joint agreements and chargebacks are available only when the home community college does not offer the certificate or degree program. Residents of the following districts who wish to attend Oakton's PTA program under a joint agreement or chargeback should contact either the Admission or Registration Office at their home college:
College of Lake County
Kishwaukee College
McHenry County College
Rock Valley College
Triton College
William Rainey Harper College

What will my class schedule be like?

Most PTA courses consist of lecture and lab components. PTA courses are scheduled four half days per week. Day and time vary from semester to semester. During the spring semester of the first year, and either the fall or spring semester of the second year, there is an additional eight hours per week of clinical affiliation time. Clinical could be scheduled for an eight-hour day on the fifth day of the week or broken into two four-hour half days, either before or after PTA classes. General education courses must be scheduled around the PTA program courses and clinical.

Are there evening courses?

Not for most PTA courses. There are two evening lecture classes that meet during summer clinicals. Some clinical facilities require students to participate in evening clinical hours.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

The program takes four full semesters and involves clinical placements in summers after both the first and second years. If you begin with credits, you will have a lighter load each semester.

Can I work while I am in the PTA program?

Physical Therapist Assistant course work should take precedence over work obligations. It is recommended that full-time students not work. Part-time students are advised if they do work, their work schedules should be flexible to accommodate semester changes in class and clinical schedules.

What about clinic affiliations?

You will have clinic affiliation in two semesters after the first semester, and five- and six-week summer placements. This means you have four clinic affiliations and all four of them are different. There is an attempt made to give students a varied experience so that you know how to work with different kinds of facilities and patients. Therefore, it is not always possible to have each affiliation convenient to your home. You are responsible for your own transportation to the clinical assignment. There may be additional costs associated with the clinical affiliation such as parking and meals.

What is the program’s graduation rate?

For the last three years, an average of 77 percent of admitted students graduated from the PTA Program.

Do I need to take a test after graduation to allow me to work as PTA?

Yes, you must take and pass the Illinois State Licensure Exam for PTAs in order to practice in Illinois. Most states require testing or certification before you will be allowed to work. For Oakton’s PTA program, the pass rate on the licensing exam averaged over three years (2003-2005) is 92.59 percent.

Will I get a job when I finish?

The current job market for PTAs in the Chicago Metro area and nationwide is very good. For the last several years, 100 percent of Oakton’s PTA graduates who sought jobs were employed within 6 months of graduation.

What is the difference between a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and a Licensed Physical Therapist (PT)?

While PTs and PTAs work in the same physical setting, it is the PT's responsibility to evaluate patients and design treatment plans. A PTA works closely with the PT, carrying out the treatment plan and reporting back to the PT. The PT assumes greater responsibility and has a greater understanding of the theory behind the problem and its treatment. A Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) has completed a Master's or Doctoral degree program.

• Bradley University, Peoria
• Governors State, University Park
• Midwestern University, Downers Grove
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
• Northwestern University, Chicago
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago
• University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago

How can I find out more about Physical Therapist Assistants?

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