Apply to the Program

HSW COVID-19 Immunization Statement

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and for the safety of healthcare students and employees, many medical facilities, along with federal policies, are mandating the COVID-19 vaccination, with limited exemptions available for students and employees. Because all clinical hours and/or clinical competencies must be completed to meet program requirements, this means you may be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption on file to enter and/or progress in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. For additional information, regarding these requirements, please see the Health Sciences and Wellness COVID-19 Policy, page 6.

As referenced in the Health Sciences and Wellness COVID-19 policy, it is up to the clinical facility to grant or deny the exemption based on the documentation provided. If an exemption is granted, individuals may also be asked to complete regular COVID-19 testing at their own expense, often on a weekly basis. Additional PPE protocols may also be required.

In the event the exemption request is denied, the program may attempt to place the student at another clinical site, but this is dependent upon program clinical capacity requirements, the ability of the student to meet another clinical site’s COVID-19 policies, and provided no other students’ clinical experiences are impacted. If the program is unable to place a student, this may delay the student’s program completion. Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent final acceptance into and/or progression through the program, and ultimately result in dismissal from the program. (HSW COVID-19 Policy, v. 4, August 2021; p. 6)

Applications for the PTA class beginning Jan. 2024 are now available and will close on Sept. 8, 2023.

Our priority application period has closed. However, late applications are being considered. Apply by the December 1, 2023 extended deadline to be considered for the PTA class beginning January 16, 2024.

PTA PROGRAM APPLICATIONPTA Application Checklist

Acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is contingent upon receipt of a completed application, forms, documented immunizations, a satisfactory background check (if needed for clinical internships) and successful completion of any remaining prerequisites. It's the applicant’s responsibility to furnish all required paperwork. Failure to provide all required information by the application deadline may cause the applicant to be ineligible for consideration during that term. If the class doesn't fill by the deadline, applications will continue to be accepted until the class is full.

Due to program accreditation requirements, the program is limited to 20 students a year. Students completing program prerequisites may apply in the fall for the upcoming spring semester. Selection is based on a student’s grade point average, prerequisites completed, the date the application was received and other criteria as noted. Final acceptance will be contingent upon successful completion of program prerequisites, a health physical and background check.

Application Process

For admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, students need to complete the following steps:

Step 1

Complete an application for acceptance to Laramie County Community College. Students who are currently enrolled or have previously attended LCCC need not re-apply. Application to LCCC and forms are available on LCCC's admissions web page.

Step 2

Completion of, or current enrollment in of all prerequisite classes is required. Courses completed for a previous degree may exempt a student from prerequisite classes depending upon coursework and level of coursework completed. Minimum cumulative GPA requirement for all college level coursework is 2.5 or higher. The following prerequisites must be completed or should be in progress with a grade of “C” or better by the application deadline:

MATH 1400 - College Algebra or higher
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I
ZOO 2010 - Anatomy/Physiology or ZOO 2015 Human Anatomy
COMM 2010 - Public Speaking
HLTK 1200 - Medical Terminology

Step 3

Provide a copy of all college transcripts to the LCCC PTA Program Director and an official transcript to the Admissions Office. All official transcripts should be sent to the Admissions Office at 1400 E. College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007. Unofficial or copies of transcripts may be used for the PTA application only and should be sent to the PTA program director.

Step 4

Pre-admission observation: Applicants are REQUIRED to complete a minimum of 20 hours of observation/volunteer or work-related time in a physical clinic. It would be to the advantage of the applicant to have some of those hours in a hospital or long-term care facility to better understand the role of the PTA. Observation forms should be signed by the supervising clinician and submitted with the application packet. Extra points will be awarded for those who are involved in employment related to the healthcare field.

Step 5

Complete and return the PTA Program application to the program director's office (HS 340) or the administrative assistant's office (HS 304). Include the application, essay question, copies of all transcripts and "in progress" grade report forms. Typewritten responses are preferred and highly encouraged.

Step 6

Three letters of recommendation (included in the application packet) must be submitted as part of the completed application process. All references should be professional in nature. Professional references would include former or current supervisors and instructors. No relatives may be used as references. These forms are to be returned directly to the LCCC PTA program director under separate cover by the individual completing the form. Reference letter should be signed across the envelope seal.

Step 7

All applicants have the option to schedule a pre-admission advising appointment to discuss their academic plan. Faculty members will be available for pre-advising on an appointment basis only. Students can call or email to set up pre-advising.

Step 8

Submit all application materials to the following address:
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Laramie County Community College
Health Science Building, Room 340
1400 E. College Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82007-3299

Admission to the Program

After Oct. 1, all completed applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of faculty members and other physical therapy personnel. LCCC doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, color, nation origin, sex, age, religion, political affiliation or disability in admission of access to, or treatment of employment in, its educational programs or activities.

PTA program selection criteria:

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Selection Committee will be the individuals to consider the applications submitted by prospective PTA students. They will use the following point scale. Grade achieved will be multiplied by the number of credit hours to determine total points for each prerequisite course. From the pool of applicants, the prospective PTA students will be screened. Applicants having completed all requirements will be considered first. Applications with requirements not met at the time of application may be provisionally admitted pending fulfillment of ALL requirements. Future classes will likely be required to meet all requirements before the application will be considered. All people submitting an application will be notified of their admission status following the selection process. A maximum of two points will be awarded for classes that are in progress at the time of application.

**Point Scale**
ITEM	POINTS
MATH 1400 College Algebra or higher (3 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3
ENGL 1010 English: Composition (3 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3
ZOO 2010 Anatomy/Physiology or ZOO 2015 Human Anatomy (4 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 4
COMM 2010 Public Speaking (3 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3
HLTK 1200 Medical Terminology (2 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 2
ZOO 2020 Anatomy/Physiology II or ZOO 2025 Human Physiology (4 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 4
POLS 1000 American and Wyoming Government or HIST 1211 U.S. History to 1865 or HIST 1221 U.S. History 1865 to Present or HIST 1251 Wyoming History or ECON 1200 Economics, Law, and Government (3 credits) --state statutory requirement	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3
EDST 2450 Human Lifespan Development (3 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3
HLTK 2510 Pathophysiology (2 credits)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 2
Physical Education Activity Course (1 credit)	4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 1
Overall College GPA	6(3.5 or above), 5(3.0 or above), 4 (2.5 or above), X 4
Previous College Degree(s)	10 Points for a Bachelor Degree
Employment in a Physical Therapy department/clinic, as PT Aide, six months or more	20 Points
Other employment in a related healthcare field	10 Points
Physical Therapy observation hours	15 Points (80 hours or more), 10 Points (40 hours or more), 5 Points (20 hours)
Reflective Essay	30 Points max.
1st Letter of Reference	15 Points max.
2nd Letter of Reference	15 Points max.
3rd Letter of Reference	15 Points max.

Should students receive identical scores, the program director will determine priority based on the PTA Program Handbook guidelines. Final selection will be made and the students will be notified approximately 30 days after the application due date. An alternate list will be made to fill any cancellations.

LCCC's program doesn't use an annual waiting list; therefore, students not selected for admission into the physical therapist assistant program must initiate the admission process the following year before being reconsidered. All students’ applications not selected will be kept for one year after the deadline and will then be destroyed.

Note: The PTA Program Admission is contingent upon successful completion of in-progress prerequisites. If the student doesn't successfully complete the in-progress courses, admission to the program will be voided.

Progression

To progress in the PTA program, the student must:

Maintain a minimum grade of “C” in each required PTA and support courses. A support course is any course that does not contain the PTAT prefix. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above is required prior to and after acceptance into the program
Take PTA program specific courses in sequence.