Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Admissions

The Utah Tech University Physical Therapist Assistant Program participates in the Physical Therapist Assistant Centralized Application Service (PTACAS) offered by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Applicants applying to the Utah Tech University PTA program for the 2023-2024 academic year will apply using the PTACAS online application. The Utah Tech University PTACAS application is now open. The application deadline is May 1, 2023.

To learn more about PTACAS, and to apply, please visit here.*

Please Note:

  • To be considered for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, an applicant must:
    • Be accepted as a Utah Tech University student. If you are not already a Utah Tech University student, everything one needs to know about applying to UT can be found on the Admissions website.
    • Complete the PTACAS application.
  • The UT PTA program’s application scoring rubric can be found here.
  • The start date of the program is the first day of the UT fall semester each year.

Take a Look!

Don’t miss these important items specific to the Physical Therapist Assistant program application and acceptance process!

Details Below

Requirements

All you need to know before you apply to ensure you’re eligible for acceptance.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

View our academic catalog to learn what courses you need before starting your professional degree.

Program Prerequisites

Important Information

HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam Results

The HESI is an aptitude exam used in the application process for the PTA program. This is a 3½-hour test with multiple sections, used to compare our applicants to other healthcare program applicants nationwide. Applicants will be scored in five areas on the HESI A2 exam:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Biology
  • Grammar
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary and Knowledge

This test can be taken at the Utah Tech Professional Testing Center by appointment (435-652-7667). This exam is also used for other health science programs, so be sure to indicate that you are taking it for the PTA program. The results must be uploaded as part of your online application. The results you submit must be from a test taken within one year, and applicants are limited to three retakes.

Utah Tech Testing Center

Healthcare Work History Form

This form must be completed and submitted with your application in order for you to qualify for bonus points on your application for employment and/or volunteer experience in healthcare settings. This experience must be direct patient care-related. Each position listed must be verified by the supervisor.

Healthcare Work History Form

Job Shadowing Form*

A completed Physical Therapist Assistant Program Job Shadowing Form is required, verifying a minimum of 16 hours of physical therapy observation or job shadowing. The completed form must be signed by the facility.

*Please Note: For the 2023 application cycle, a completed Job Shadowing Form will not be required to apply to the program.

Students who are accepted into the program will still be expected to complete the required 16 hours of physical therapy observation or job shadowing before program orientation (mid-August 2023).

Job Shadowing Form

Prior Program Information Form

This form must be completed and submitted with your application if you have ever been admitted to, attended or completed any other PTA program.

Prior Program Information Form

New Student Program Orientation: Early August 2023

For students accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant program, there will be a mandatory two-day program orientation held in early August 2023 here at Utah Tech University.

  • Orientation will run from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm each day.
  • The orientation will cover program policies and expected behaviors, as well as an introduction to leadership and communication based on the book The 7 Habits for Highly Successful College Students, by Sean Covey.
  • This orientation will set the tone and expectations for students, faculty, and the program.  All students accepted into the program are required to attend.

Contact

Drew Wilcox

Program Director

Email: Drew.Wilcox@utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-879-4861

Office: Taylor 208/HPC 318

Kat Preiss

Academic Advisor

Email: Kat.Preiss@utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-652-7695

Office: HPC 347

Corrin King-Doyl

Administrative Assistant

Email: Corrin.King-Doyl@Utahtech.edu

Phone: 435-879-4820

Office: Taylor 207