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PTA Documents Page

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Jefferson State is highly competitive. Students are encouraged to plan early to ensure all requirements are met by the January 15 application deadline. Only applicants who meet all minimum qualifications will be reviewed for consideration.

Step 1: Apply to Jefferson State

  • Complete the free online application to Jefferson State Community College.
  • Send all official college transcripts and test scores to:
    • Enrollment Services
    • Jefferson State Community College
    • 2601 Carson Road, Birmingham, AL 35215-3098

Step 2: Meet Program Admission Requirements*

  • Complete all general education and prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher
  • Maintain a Cumulative College GPA: 2.50 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Maintain a Prerequisite GPA: 2.50 or higher

  • ACT Composite score of 21 or higher and a Science subscore of 19 or higher taken within three (3) years prior to the application deadline
  • OR have proof of earning a bachelor’s degree or higher prior to the application deadline
  • The writing portion of the ACT is not required

  • Minimum of 40 total hours of observation or volunteer experience under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant.
  • At least eight (8) of these hours must be completed in an acute care hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility.
  • Qualifying hours must be achieved within 1 year of the application deadline.
  • Proof of hours must be completed on official JSCC PTA Documentation of Physical Therapy Observation forms.

  • BIO 201 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
    • Must be completed within 5 years of the deadline
    • Exceptions: BIO 230 (Pathophysiology) or PTA 120 with “C” or higher may be accepted with written request to the Program Director before the deadline
  • BIO 202 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
    • Same exception policy as BIO 201
  • ENG 101 – English Composition I (3)
    • If ENG 101 and ENG 102 completed, higher grade in ENG 102 may be used for ranking.
  • AHUM – Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3)
    • See JSCC Catalog for approved Humanities/Fine Arts electives.
  • MTH Elective – College-level Math (3)
    • Acceptable: MTH 100, 112, 113, or 125
    • Not acceptable: MTH 110, 116, 231, or 232
  • OAD 211 – Medical Terminology (3)
    • Must be a 3-credit course
  • PSY 200 – General Psychology (3)
  • PSY 210 – Human Growth and Development (3)
  • SPH 106 or SPH 107 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
    • ENG 102 may substitute with prior approval from the Program Director

*Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the PTA Program. Admission is competitive and based on a point-based ranking system.

Optional for Additional Application Points
Qualified applicants may earn bonus points toward program ranking by completing one or more of the following:

  • PHS 112 (Physical Science) or any Physics course with a grade of “C” or higher
  • PTA 120 – Introduction to Kinesiology (JSCC Shelby-Hoover Campus only)
  • Intro to PTA Seminar (attendance documented)

Post-Acceptance Requirements
The following are not required for admission, but must be submitted prior to beginning the program if accepted:

  • Proof of active health/hospitalization insurance (group share plans not accepted)
  • Current CPR certification (within 2 years; healthcare provider level)

Application Process

All required materials must be received by January 15. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.

Admission to the PTA Program is competitive and objective, with the same criteria applied to both the On-Campus and Hybrid tracks. Students completing prerequisite courses in the semester prior to the program start may apply for conditional consideration.

Qualified applicants are ranked using a point-based system evaluating prerequisite grades, ACT scores, observation hours, and other verified criteria.

Steps to Apply

  1. Submit the PTA Program Application
    • Complete and submit the Application for PTA Program Admission by the January 15 deadline.
    • Include the Technical Standards Verification Form and PT/PTA Observation Hours Documentation.
    • Mail or hand-deliver the completed application packet to:
      Jefferson State Community College
      PTA Program – Shelby-Hoover Campus
      General Studies Building, Suite 316
      4600 Valleydale Road
      Birmingham, AL 35242
  2. Submit Official College Transcripts
    • Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges to be sent to:
      Enrollment Services
      Jefferson State Community College
      2601 Carson Road
      Birmingham, AL 35215-3098
  3. Submit Official ACT Scores
    • Request that official ACT results be sent to Enrollment Services by the deadline.
    • Documentation must be received to verify minimum test score eligibility.
  4. Confirm Course Substitutions (if applicable)
    • Contact the PTA Program Director or Advisor in writing, prior to the deadline to ask for approval of any course substitutions or transfer credit reviews.
  5. Health-Related Programs Academic Forfeit Policy (if applicable)
    • Students who have previously been enrolled in another Jefferson State Health-Related Program and wish to apply for academic forgiveness must submit a written request for academic forfeiture by the application deadline. Eligibility criteria for this policy are outlined in the Jefferson State Catalog and Student Handbook.
  6. Licensure Eligibility Notice
    • Applicants with a history of chemical dependency, mental or emotional disorders, or a criminal conviction should contact the Alabama State Board of Physical Therapy to verify licensure eligibility.

Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement