Degree: Associate of Applied Science Degree
Degree Plan (PDF)
Beginning Fall 2027 semester, students must have US History and American Government to meet state law regulations.
NOTE: There is a special application and deadline for this program.
Application Period
December 1st - March 1st of each year.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is a field dedicated to the improvement of function and is one of
the fastest growing career fields in the United States. The Physical Therapist Assistant
(PTA), under the supervision of a Physical Therapist, provides rehabilitative services
to individuals with orthopedic, neurologic, medically complex, and developmental conditions.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at UA Cossatot combines classroom instruction
and laboratory simulation with clinical experiences. The program consists of two portions
which include the prerequisite general education coursework and, once admitted into
the program, the technical coursework extended over an 18 month period. (Semesters:
Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall.) Students admitted into the program will attend coursework on the Ashdown campus, in
lecture or lab practice, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5 pm. Students successfully completing the PTA Program are awarded an Associate of Applied
Science degree (AAS).
The PTA Program is limited to 16 students each year. Applicants will be ranked according
to required prerequisite course GPA, Anatomy and Physiology GPA, reference input,
pre-entrance exam scores and interview scores. Applicants must also pass a Physical
Performance Test to ensure that the essential functions can be performed for the safety
of the applicant and their peers if admitted to the program. UA Cossatot and the Physical
Therapist Assistant Program will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color,
national origin, religion, disability, or age in the selection of students to the
PTA Program. If you would like to be considered for the next class, you must complete
an online application and meet all application deadlines.
Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the National
Physical Therapy Examination or attain state licensure.
Accreditation Status:
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at UA Cossatot is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 870-584-1497 or email jsanderson@cccua.edu.
Admission Criteria
The UA Cossatot Physical Therapist Assistant Program admission criteria requires applicants to pass the Physical Performance Test, successfully complete, with passing grade, all pre-requisite coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA in Anatomy & Physiology I and a minimum 3.0 GPA in Anatomy & Physiology II. To receive credit for Anatomy & Physiology courses, both must be taken from the same institution. A minimum score of 60 is requied on the TEAS exam to eligible for application to the PTA Program. All materials must be received by the program on or before the application deadline. The admission procedure is based on a point system using the following criteria:
PTA Courses: Concepts of PT and Pathophysiology GPA 25%
Anatomy and Physiology I and II GPA
20%
Reference
15%
Entrance Exam: TEAS
15%
Calculation will first be completed as noted above, then one point will be deducted from the overall score for each attempt of Pathophysiology and Concepts of PT courses beyond the first attempt. Next, the highest-ranking applicants will be selected for an interview. Applicants will be notified if an interview has or has not been granted. The interview will account for the remaining points available:
Interview score 25%
After scores have been calculated, the top 16 applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the PTA Program. However, applicants must opt to accept the offer if they wish to enroll. Up to eight alternates will also be chosen according to the next ranking scores in the event an applicant is unable to enroll.
Applicants that are not selected will be notified of such and advised in the re-application process.
Application Process
**The selective admissions process aims to improve retention, graduation, and NPTE pass rates as well as provide the ability to assess applicants’ communication and professionalism. The selective admissions process additionally aims to ensure students are prepared for the rigor of the program.
In order to be considered for acceptance into the program, applicants are required to comply with the admission criteria and degree plan as outlined on this webpage.
Students wishing to apply to the PTA Program should complete the online application form below and follow the instructions on each of the following application requirements. Online applications must be submitted by the March 1st deadline. This same deadline is enforced for all other materials/requirements.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent from all transferring institutions directly to the UA Cossatot registrar by email at transcripts@cccua.edu
PTA Physical Performance Test
Applicants must pass the Physical Performance Test to ensure that the essential functions can be performed for the safety of the applicant and their peers if admitted into the program. The Physical Performance Test consists of assessing blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, basic range of motion and mobility of the arms, legs, and spine, observing for abdominal hernia, performing basic body mechanics with up to 50 pounds of weight, and ability to push a wheelchair with a 150 lb. mannequin. This Physical Performance Test must be taken each time a student applies to the program and must be scheduled in advance with the Program Advisor.
Please contact the PTA/OTA academic advisor, Maressa Foster, at 870.584.1461 or mfoster@cccua.edu to schedule.
Physical Performance Test Dates:
February 3, 2026 (12:00-1:00)
February 10, 2026 (12:00-1:00)
February 19, 2026 (12:00-1:00)
February 26, 2026 (12:00-1:00)
The cost of the test is $60 which is paid (by credit or debit card only) at the time of check-in for the Physical Performance Test. Individuals that do not pass the Physical Performance Test will be advised of the area(s) in which they did not pass. These individuals may retake the test on any scheduled date by utilizing the same process (link above) and paying again at the time of testing.
Application Checklist
PTA Program Application Checklist (PDF)
PTA Program Online Application
Each application submission requires a non-refundable processing fee of $25.00. Please be certain you are making payment for the program application of your choice.
*****PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CLICK THE REVIEW BUTTON AND REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION. ONCE YOU DO THAT YOU CAN THEN CLICK THE SUBMIT BUTTON! IF YOU DO NOT CLICK REVIEW FIRST YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE BLANK! ********
Before selecting the link to complete the online application, please have the following information available in order to successfully complete the application:
- prerequisite course completion dates and colleges where taken
- employment history including dates
- colleges attended and dates of attendance
- name of reference (instructor or employer) with contact information including name, title, company name, email, and phone number
- PDF of any professional licensure
PTA Program Online Application (outside link--You will be required to register and create an account on the application website.)
PTA Program Documents
Pre-Entrance Exam Information
TEAS exam must be completed on campus through one of the UA Cossatot Testing Centers.
NOTE: The Medical Education Division requires a minimum score of 60 on the TEAS to
be considered for admission into the OTA, PTA, and LPN programs at UA Cossatot.
Mandatory Program Orientation
All students accepted into a Medical Education program are required to participate in a mandatory online orientation module through Blackboard that will run for 8 weeks prior to the start of on-campus classes. Once accepted into the program, students will be enrolled into the module. Participation in the module is mandatory. Online orientation will require daily log in access, completion of program requirements, and uploading of documentation. Completion of these activities, as outlined in the module, is required to be eligible to begin the program. Instructions on how to access the online orientation module will be provided with the student’s acceptance letter.
Additionally, prior to the start of classes, each program hosts its own mandatory on-campus 1-2 day in-person orientation. Please see tentative dates for on-campus orientation below:
PTA Program – 1st full week in August
Students who are applying for a Medical Education Program are strongly encouraged to plan accordingly during the time frames mentioned above. Failure to complete any program requirements assigned or requested during this time may result in forfeiture of program acceptance.
Clinical Education
Please note that all students accepted into the PTA Program will be required to travel for clinical education. All costs incurred with travel to clincial education sites are the responsibility of the student.
Matriculation Rates
Program Acceptance & Matriculation Rates
Graduation Rates
The average graduation rate for the years 2023 and 2024 is 80.7%.
National Physical Therapy Examination Pass Rate
The program's passing percent data is calculated by the number graduates who take and successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
The average first-time pass rate for the years 2023 and 2024 is 95.2%.
The average ultimate pass rate for the years 2023 and 2024 is 100%.
Employment Rates
The program's employment rates are calculated by the number of eligible graduates who sought employment and were employed as a PTA within one year of graduation.
The average employment rate for the years 2023 and 2024 is 100%.
CAPTE PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet
For Additional Information Contact:
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
UA Cossatot
1411 N. Constitution Avenue
Ashdown, Arkansas 71822
Program Director
Jennifer Sanderson, PT, DPT
jsanderson@cccua.edu
870-854-1497
Director of Clinical Education
Heather Orr, PTA, BAAS
hnorr@cccua.edu
870-854-1487
Health Insurance
The College does not provide student health services on any of the campuses. Student
health insurance is not required by the program but is highly recommended. Health
insurance will not be provided by UAC. Students will be responsible for the selection
and premiums of their own health insurance policy if they so choose.
Immunization Requirements
The Division of Medical Education has outlined the required immunizations and timelines
for obtaining those for program students in the Medical Education Document and Immunization Guide Preview.
Professional Liability Insurance
Students are provided with professional liability insurance courtesy of the College
with $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate.
Background Checks
The PTA Program complies with policies of the institution and has an established Medical Education Background Check Policy that ensures the safety of all stakeholders.
Substance Abuse Policy
There will be random drug screens for all students throughout the program of which
cost will be the responsibility of the students. See the Medical Education Substance Abuse Policy (PDF).
Non-Discriminatory Policy
The program complies with the College Non-Discriminatory Policy.