LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the PTA program at Finlandia University, the PTA graduate will demonstrate the values and behaviors recognized by the APTA that most influence the PTA in providing safe, effective patient care as a member of the physical therapy team for the following:

1. PTA Concentration: Succeeds in qualifying for licensure/certification/registration where required by state law.
2. Creative Insight: Integrates knowledge of basic sciences and physical therapy (PT) theory to appropriately apply and modify selected PT procedures to diverse populations under the supervision of a physical therapist.
3. Communication: Communicates effectively with patients, supervisors, support personnel, and other health care team members using suitable verbal, non-verbal, and written skills. These skills will reflect:
   • Altruism, integrity, compassion and caring
   • The importance of PT/PTA collaboration in effective patient care delivery
4. Analytic and Critical Thinking: Incorporates sound clinical reasoning and problem solving to interpret the plan of care prescribed by the PT.
5. Personal Perspective: Possesses the necessary professional behaviors to practice as a physical therapist assistant in a variety of practice settings. These professional behaviors include the following:
   • Commitment to Learning/Use of Constructive Feedback
   • Interpersonal Skills
   • Communication Skills
   • Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving
   • Stress Management/Effective Use of Time and Resources
   • Professionalism/Responsibility

6. Global Perspective: Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures and individual differences when delivering care to patients and acknowledges social responsibility as a healthcare provider.

PTA Program Application Process

We make the application process as easy as possible. The entire process is completely free.

Step One: Your first step is to apply for admission by filling out the free application at finlandia.edu/apply.
Step Two: Once accepted, you must fill out this PTA Program application (PDF) and submit it to Anne Halgren.

Minimum Requirements for PTA Program

– Achieved a grade of 2.0 (C) (or above) in all prerequisite courses (listed below) completed to date (excluding BIO 171 & 172 or equivalent).
– Achieved a grade of 2.7 (B-) (or above) in BIO171 or equivalent I have achieved a grade of 2.7 (B-) (or above) in BIO172 or equivalent.
– Achieved a cumulative 2.5 GPA in the required prerequisite courses completed to date.

Other notes

– Most incoming freshmen will do complete the PTA application during their time as a student. Some transfer students complete this prior to starting at FinnU, please work with your admissions officer / PTA staff to determine the right timing for you.
– You must meet the minimum requirements (listed above), or be in the process of completing the minimum requirements, for admission. Your application will be considered only if you have completed all the minimum requirements or have completed BIO 171 (Anatomy & Physiology I) or an equivalent course and are registered in the remaining courses.
– The deadline for this application is January 1 of the year that you intend to enter the technical phase of the PTA program, not before a student begins at Finlandia. Those interested should apply early as there are a limited number of positions available in the PTA Program.
– Prerequisite courses include BIO171 Anat. / Physiology I (4 credits), BIO172 Anat. / Physiology II (4), ENG103 College English I (3), ENG104 College English II (3) Religion/Finnish Elective (3), MAT140 Intermediate Algebra (4) (or above), PHL212 Ethics: Theory & Practice (3), PSY101 Introductory Psychology (3), HSC112 Medical Terminology (1) and *PTA101 Intro to P.T. (1)
– *PTA 101 Introduction to Physical Therapy may be taken concurrently with first semester PTA classes. However, because of the demands of the PTA program, it is highly recommended it be taken as a prerequisite.

GRADUATION & EMPLOYMENT DATA

PTA ACCREDITATION

The Physical Therapist Assistant degree program at Finlandia University is accredited through 2023 by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE):
1111 North Fairfax Street | Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Telephone: (703) 706-3245 |Email: accreditation@apta.org  

website: http://www.capteonline.org

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (906)487-7308 or email pam.brown@finlandia.edu.

CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. CAPTE is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Specialized accreditation is a system for recognizing professional education programs for a level of performance, integrity, and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public they serve. Accreditation status signifies that the program meets established and nationally accepted standards of scope, quality, and relevance. Once awarded accreditation status, a program must submit reports regularly to the Commission ensuring continuing compliance with the evaluative criteria. Each program is formally reviewed every five to 10 years.

LICENSING & CERTIFICATION EXAM DATA

National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam
Based on information received from The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)

PTA Program graduate passing rate: (2 year average 2017-18): 79%

FILE A COMPLAINT

To file a complaint with the Finlandia University PTA program, please refer to procedures outlined in the document found here.

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