Physical Therapist Assistant Degree & Program

Submit an application for admission.

Students who have never attended Seminole State must apply and be admitted to the College before applying to the PTA Program. Students may apply to Seminole State online or download a Printed Application for Admission.

Begin corequisite coursework.

A grade of "C" or better must be attained in all the general education and support course requirements (called corequisites). There are seven general corequisite courses. The corequisite courses needed for the completion of your degree are indicated on the catalog page. It is recommended that students complete as many of these courses as possible prior to submitting an application.

Have an overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.

A minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.50 is required to apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

Complete Observation Hours Requirement.

Observation Hours

Observation hours are required to seek exposure to physical therapy by working, volunteering, or observing in several physical therapy settings. This can be done in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient PT clinics. To gain exposure or experience, students should contact the chief of the PT department at a medical facility near them. They should tell the physical therapist that they are a pre-PTA student completing a requirement for Seminole State's PTA Program. Students should then courteously request the opportunity to work, observe or volunteer in the department.

• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of observation, volunteer service, or work experience in at least two different types of physical therapy settings (up to 100 observation hours will be considered).
• A  Physical Therapy Experience Form must be completed and signed by the supervising PT or PTA from each facility. The completed form must be submitted with the PTA program application.
• An experience form signed by a non-PT or non-PTA does not meet this criterion.

Observation hours must have been completed in the 12 months prior to the application deadline.

Please note: Hospitals and clinics may require students to meet certain stipulations before allowing them to work or observe in their facilities.

Please also note:  Orlando Health facilities are unable to accommodate new requests for clinical observation hours. The following facilities will not accept student volunteers: Orlando Regional Medical Center, the UF Health Cancer Center, Arnold Palmer Hospital including Pediatric Sports Medicine, Winnie Palmer Hospital, Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, South Seminole Hospital, and Orlando Health Physician Group Practices.

Take the TEAS® test and score at least 59% Adjusted Individual Total Score. The student's official TEAS® score must be in student's record prior to submitting a PTA application.

The test is offered on a walk-in basis at the Seminole State Assessment and Testing Centers (check the Assessement and Testing Center schedule for locations and times). Students can prepare for the test using the TEAS® study manual and/or the online practice assessment found at www.atitesting.com. Students can take the test up to three times within a 12 month period but must wait 31 days between retakes. Test scores are valid for two years.

Submit a completed PTA Application packet.

Official TEAS® score and transcripts must be in student's record prior to submitting a PTA application.

Applications for the PTA program, that begins in the fall semester, must be submitted in the month of February.  Early or late applications will not be accepted.

• Complete the fillable PDF application form (download form, fill it out, save it in your documents).  Handwritten or scanned copies will not be accepted.
• The PTA Application Form will be posted on this webpage during the month of February. 

The required items below must be submitted in one email with your Full Name and Student ID# in the subject line to: healthprograms@seminolestate.edu..

Required Items (attach to email):

1. Application form
2. Unofficial copy of TEAS® score
3. Unofficial copy of your Seminole State College transcript
4. Completed observation hours forms.

Complete a criminal background check (after provisional acceptance). 

All students enrolled in a Healthcare Professional program with a clinical or practicum component will be required to complete a full background check with drug/alcohol screening. Students are encouraged to review the clinical facility requirements prior to beginning their course work.

Complete physical examination form (after provisional acceptance). 

All students are accepted pending successful completion of a Physical Examination Form. A physician's signature indicates a student is capable of performing the functions of a physical therapist assistant. Students will receive the physical examination form after provisional acceptance.