Steps to Apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program

STEP 1
BECOME ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PTA ADMISSION

REQUIRED

DETAILS

Apply to Navarro College 

Apply to Navarro College if you're not already a student.

Documentation demonstrating acceptance into Navarro College. 

Transcripts 

Send all OFFICIAL transcripts from other colleges and universities or GED/High School diploma to the Navarro College Office of Admissions and Records.

STEP 2
APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THE PTA PROGRAM

The applicant will complete and submit an application portfolio by the application deadline for acceptance into classes for Spring.

The application portfolio MUST contain the following completed documents:

DOCUMENT TYPE

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Information Session

Attendance at one (1) PTA Information Session is required before application due date. See the Information Session Schedule    Can be a face to face session OR virtual session. 

 Evidence of NC Admission

Provide evidence of admission to Navarro College

Examples: Acceptance letter or NC Evaluation

 Physical Therapist Assistant Application 

Submit the Physical Therapist Assistant Application by the application deadline.

Download 2023 Application Packet

Please include unofficial copies of any previous college transcripts with your application. 

 Observation Form

Complete Observation Form with a minimum of 40 hours from two (2) different settings, including a combination of in-patient and out-patient hours (10 hours must come from an inpatient setting including: acute, rehab, sub-acute, skilled nursing, etc.)

Does NOT include paid position hours (ie: Rehab Tech)

For a list of facilities to inquire to for observation opportunities, please email the Health Professions Staff with your request. 

 Reference Letters

Applicant must obtain references from two (2) additional sources.

Must be submitted in a SEALED envelope

Pre-Requisite Course Work 

Required Prerequisites: ENGL 1301, MATH 1342, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402

Provide evidence of completion of all pre-requisite course work.

• Highlight courses on transcripts.

• Must maintain a 2.5 GPA on prerequisite and core course work in order to apply to the program. 

Hand deliver all documentation to the Physical Therapist Assistant Department located on the second floor of Building 2 on the Midlothian Campus, Room Office #215 or 213.

If mailed, please submit all documentation to: (MUST BE POSTMARKED BY DEADLINE)

Navarro College
ATTN: PTA Program Coordinator
899 Mount Zion Road
Midlothian, TX 76065

STEP 3
BEGIN GATHERING DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION

All immunizations and an annual Tuberculosis (Tb) test must be completed prior to the first day of classes. 

Due to the nature of the learning experience and assignments, all PTA students must provide documentation of current immunization status for vaccine-preventable diseases & other testing. Immunizations and testing requirements are based upon recommendations and/or requirements from the following agencies and organizations: (1) clinical education sites; (2) Texas Department of Health; (3) Centers for Disease Control; (4) Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, Rule 97.64. The Texas Administrative Code mandates certain immunizations prior to patient contact. Students who fail to provide appropriate documentation will not be permitted to register for clinical/practicum clinical education and must withdraw from the program.

Tuberculosis (TB) Skin testing – Required annually. If a chest x-ray is necessary, the student must document a negative chestx-ray within the past three (3) years.​ 

Document must include signature of health care provider and date(s).  Appropriate documentation includes ONE of the following methods (in most cases):

• Copy of official Immunization Record or health carae provider immunization forms

• Copy of laboratory (serological) evidence of immunity (titers)

NOTE: Some clinical agencies may require further documentation / testing or have additional requirements. 

MMR - If you were born on or after January 1, 1957,
follow A, B, & C

MMR - If you were born prior to January 1, 1957,
follow E, F, G, & H

 Measles / Rubeola (REQUIRED)

 A. Measles

All students born on or after January 1, 1957 must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of two doses of measles vaccine administered since January 1, 1968 or serological evidence of immunity. There must be 30 days or more between the two doses.

 E. Measles

All students born prior to January 1, 1957 must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of one dose of measles vaccine or serological evidence of immunity. 

 Mumps (REQUIRED)

 B. Mumps

All students born on or after January 1, 1957 must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of one dose of mumps vaccine or serological evidence of immunity.

(Two doses for heal care workers as of 2007).

 F. Mumps

All students born prior to January 1, 1957 must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of one dose of mumps vaccine or serological evidence of immunity.

 Rubella (REQUIRED)

 C. Rubella

All students born on or after January 1, 1957 must show, prior to patient contact, one dose of rubella vaccine or serological evidence of immunity.

 G. Rubella

All students born prior to January 1, 1957 must show, prior to patient contact, acceptable evidence of one dose of rubella vaccine or serological evidence of immunity

 Hepatitis B series - total of 3 (REQUIRED)

D. Hepatitis B

All students shall receive a complete series of Hepatitis B vaccine prior to the start of direct patient care or show serologic confirmation of immunity to Hepatitis B virus

H. Hepatitis B

All students shall receive a complete series of Hepatitis B vaccine prior to the start of direct patient care or show serologic confirmation of immunity to Hepatitis B virus

 Tetanus / Diptheria - Td (REQUIRED)

Students must document one dose of Td vaccine current (within 10 years) through anticipated completion of clinical.

 Varicella (RECOMMENDED)

Students shall receive two doses of varicella vaccine unless the first dose was received prior to age thirteen. A parent of physician validated history of varicella disease (chicken pox) or varicella immunity is acceptable in lieu of vaccine. A statement from a physician, the student’s parent or guardian, or school nurse must support varicella history.

 Meningococcal (RECOMMENDED)

 Tuberculosis / TB Skin Testing (REQUIRED)

Tuberculosis (TB) Skin testing – Required annually. If a chest x-ray is necessary, the student must document a negative chestx-ray within the past three (3) years. 

Covid-19

Clinical sites may require proof of  vaccination.

Additional Requirements

CPR

CPR certification course is required for all PTA students prior to the first day of class.  If accepted to the program, PTA will host a CPR course that you can attend. 

Background Check

Go to www.directscreening.com

Order National Background Check - National Search ($16.95)

Physical Health Examination

Must undergo a physical health examination by a certified Health Professional once admitted into the program.

Students need to read the "Performance Standards" (PTA Handbook) beforehand and both the student and health professional must sign the form indicating the ability to perform as described and/or any limitations which may be present.

Drug Screen

Physical Therapist Assistant program director reserves the right to institute random drug screens during the PTA's student enrollment in any PTA class, lab, clinical setting or College sponsored activity.

STEP 4
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Within 30 days of application deadline, all completed applications will be reviewed. Points will be totaled by PTA faculty for each applicant based on the Applicant Entrance Criteria Worksheet. The highest total point applicant sets the mark for ranking. Applicants will be numbered in descending order based on point total. If two or more applicants tie for total points, GPA will be used as a tiebreaker with the higher GPA ranked higher.

Students will be notified within 30 days as to their status in the PTA Program. A correct and current Navarro College email is ESSENTIAL in the notification process, as this is how students will be informed of their acceptance into the PTA program. The applicant must reply within 72 hours/3 days to ensure their position in the program. Students selected for admission into the PTA program will be required to attend a mandatory orientation at a date to be determined.