Physical Therapist Assistant Admission
Your journey to empowering movement starts @ BC3!
Gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art Victor K. Phillips Nursing & Allied Health Building! Learn more about the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, admission criteria, and how to apply to start your journey as a healthcare Pioneer here!
BC3's PTA Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
BC3 Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Admission Criteria
- Graduation from an accredited high school or satisfactory completion of the GED/HiSET. High school seniors can apply with an anticipated graduation date.
- Receipt of all final, official transcripts.
- A 2.50 cumulative, unweighted GPA minimum.
- Completion of a Biology course with a “C” or better grade at high school or college-level.
- Completion of an Algebra course in high school or Developmental/Preparatory Algebra or higher course in college with a “C” or better grade.
- “C” or better grades in all PTA program degree requirements (if applicable).
- “C” or better grades in required developmental/preparatory English and math coursework (if applicable).
Interested in the BC3 Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program?
PTA Program Student Outcomes
Graduation Rates
The graduation rates for the Physical Therapist Assistant program for the most recent years were 37.5% for 2023 and 52.4% for 2022. The current two-year average graduation rate is 45%.
Licensure Rates
Graduates are required to pass a licensing examination in order to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing examination (National Physical Therapy Examination, or NPTE, for PTA's) passing rates for the most recent years are 80% for 2022 (with a first-time rate of 60%), and 100% for 2021 (with a first-time rate of 69.2%). The current two-year ultimate passing rate is 90%.
Employment Rates
Graduates who obtained any form of Physical Therapist Assistant employment within one year were considered to be employed. Employment rates for the most recent years are 100% in both 2022 and 2021, for an average two-year rate of 100%.
PTA Clinical Sites
- AHN Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities
- Concordia Lutheran Ministries (Rehabilitation & Home Care)
- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville & Sewickley
- Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers - Butler (Outpatient)
- Greater Pittsburgh Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine (Outpatient)
- Independence Health System - Butler (Hospital & Outpatient)
- Indiana Total Therapy, Human Motion Institute (Outpatient)
- Jaime's Physical Therapy - Beaver (Outpatient)
- Lawrence County Physical Therapy Institute (Outpatient)
- NovaCare Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinics
- OSPTA - Orthopedic & Sports Medicine (Outpatient)
- Passavant Community (Rehabilitation)
- Penn Highlands Healthcare
- Pivot Physical Therapy (Outpatient)
- Positive Steps (Pediatric Outpatient)
- Punxsutawney Area Hospital
- Quality Life Services Chicora Medical Center (Rehabilitation)
- Ranier Physical Therapy (Outpatient)
- St. Barnabas - Arbors of Valencia
- St. Clair Hospital
- St. John Specialty Care Center (Rehabilitation)
- Sunnyview Nursing & Rehab Center
- UPMC Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers, and Outpatient Facilities
- Westarm Therapy Services (Outpatient)
- Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind
- Wise Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine (Outpatient)
How to Apply to BC3's PTA Program
STEP 1 | Review Timelines and Meet with an Admissions Representative
Though general education courses can be taken at any of our BC3 locations or online, the PTA Program is only offered at our BC3 Main Campus in Butler.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through August 12, 2024 for Fall 2024 consideration.
We highly recommend that you meet with an admission representative or your academic advisor prior to submitting your PTA application to ensure you meet minimum criteria.
STEP 2 | Complete an Online Application for Admission
Complete the online Application for Admission. There is a non-refundable $25.00 application fee for all students.
If you have applied previously using this system, you can use the same log-in information and do not need to create a new account or select Forgot Password?
Please set-up your myBC3 student accounts when available and begin checking them immediately.
STEP 3 | Submit High School Transcripts
- Submit an official high school transcript or GED/HiSET score report. International transcripts should be evaluated for course-by-course equivalencies through WES.org or ECE.org.
- Official high school transcripts must be sent by USPS mail to the BC3 Main Campus Admissions Office or by a third-party transcript service to admissions@bc3.edu. They cannot be emailed or faxed by the student or school.
- If you had your final, official transcript sent to BC3 previously, you do not need to resend it.
The mailing address is as follows:
Butler County Community College
Attn: Admissions Office
PO Box 1203
Butler, PA 16003
**Failure to submit required transcripts or test scores will delay application processing and admission decision.
STEP 4 | Submit College and University Transcripts
- Submit all official transcripts from colleges and universities attended. International transcripts should be evaluated for course-by-course equivalencies through WES.org or ECE.org.
- If attending another college or university during the spring or summer semesters prior to the PTA program starting, submit a final, official transcript once no longer enrolled.
- Official college or university transcripts and AP test scores must be sent by USPS mail to the BC3 Main Campus Registration Office or by a third-party transcript service to registration@bc3.edu. They cannot be emailed or faxed by the student or school.
- If you had your final, official transcript sent to BC3 previously, you do not need to resend it.
The mailing address is as follows:
Butler County Community College
Attn: Admissions Office
PO Box 1203
Butler, PA 16003
**Failure to submit required transcripts will delay application processing and admission decision.
STEP 5 | Complete BC3 Placement Testing or Determine Exemptions
- Visit bc3.edu/placement-testing to review available placement testing exemptions.
- Applicants who have graduated in the last five years with a minimum 3.00 cumulative, unweighted GPA and A/B grades in their 11th and 12th grade English courses and a “C” or better grade in Algebra 2 may not need to test.
- Need to test? Be on the lookout for an email with instructions on how to schedule.
The PTA Program Director, Dr. Randy Kruger (randy.kruger@bc3.edu), will meet with all accepted students for an orientation session.
Upon acceptance, students will have to complete Act 34 and 151 clearances (Pennsylvania Criminal History and Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance). Some clinical sites require additional urine drug screening and fingerprinting.
Students with criminal and/or child abuse backgrounds or positive drug screen findings may not be permitted to engage in clinical affiliations, and therefore may not be eligible for program completion, licensure, or employment.
In addition, accepted students:
- Must be certified in the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Professional or American Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- Provide proof of personal health insurance coverage
- Have a satisfactory annual physical examination including the ability to meet physical requirements and proof of required immunizations
Successful completion of this program may potentially lead to professional licensure. Licensure may be global or state-specific. This program meets the requirements for the state of Pennsylvania. Requirements for other states may vary: bc3.edu/professional-licensure.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to BC3 Admissions at admissions@bc3.edu or 724-284-8501.
