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Apply to the Program

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*

Academic Requirement

  • 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 Requirement

  • Minimum composite score of 21 (within the last 3 years)
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or higher may use that degree instead of the ACT
  • Beginning with the 2027 application cycle, applicants must have a composite score ≥21 and a Science subscore ≥19
  • The writing portion of the ACT is not required

Observation Requirement

  • Minimum of 40 total hours of observation, volunteer, or work experience under a licensed PT or PTA.
  • At least 8 hours must be completed in an acute care hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility.
  • Hours must be completed within 1 year of the application deadline and documented on official JSCC PTA Program Observation Forms.
  • Failure to complete at least 8 inpatient hours or to correctly complete and submit the required observation forms will result in disqualification of the application.

Prerequisite & General Education Course Requirements (29 Credit Hours)

  • 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

Program Tracks

Jefferson State’s PTA Program offers two learning formats to meet the needs of diverse learners — Traditional Track and Hybrid Track. Whether you prefer the structure of traditional, in-person classes or the flexibility of a hybrid format that combines online coursework with required on-campus labs, both options deliver the same rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, hands-on clinical experiences, and thorough preparation for professional licensure.

Once admitted to the PTA Program, students must select either the Traditional Track or Hybrid Track based on their learning preferences and personal scheduling needs. After beginning the professional phase of the program, students may NOT change tracks. Both tracks provide the same comprehensive curriculum, clinical education experiences, and preparation for national licensure—ensuring every graduate is fully equipped to enter the profession as a competent, compassionate Physical Therapist Assistant.

Traditional Track – On-Campus
The Traditional Track follows a structured, in-person classroom format with lectures and laboratory sessions held at the Shelby-Hoover Campus. Coursework is enhanced and supported through the Canvas learning management system, with supplemental online components and a few courses delivered entirely online. This option provides a consistent, face-to-face learning environment while integrating online learning to enhance flexibility and student engagement.

  • The Traditional Track is designed for students who prefer a structured, face-to-face learning environment. All lectures and laboratories are held at the Shelby-Hoover Campus and are supported through the Canvas learning management system. Coursework includes in-person lectures, in-class laboratory experiences, and supplemental online components, with a few courses offered completely online.
  • Course Sequence
    • First Semester – Summer
      • Students attend lecture courses on Mondays and Tuesdays and participate in laboratory courses all day on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. There may be circumstances that require participation on a Saturday.
    • Second Semester – Fall
      • Students attend lecture courses on Mondays and Tuesdays and laboratory courses on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Some Saturday participation may be necessary. All students complete a two-week, full-time (40 hours/week) clinical rotation during this semester.
    • Third Semester – Spring
      • In addition to academic coursework, students participate in 16 weeks of full-time (40 hours/week) clinical education in off-campus healthcare facilities. Clinical internships are supervised by licensed physical therapists or clinical instructors in a variety of physical therapy settings.
      • Typical schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. however, students must follow the schedule of their designated clinical instructor
      • Additional hours or weekend participation may be required.
      • Clinical placements may be geographically distant and are assigned by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) based on program goals and learning needs.
      • Students are responsible for their own transportation and lodging during all off-campus and clinical experiences.

Hybrid Track – Online and On-Campus
The Hybrid Track combines the flexibility of online coursework with required in-person laboratory and clinical experiences. While lecture content is completed online, students are required to attend scheduled on-campus labs, presentations, and examinations at the Shelby-Hoover Campus. This track offers greater flexibility during the week but requires students to be highly organized, self-motivated, and disciplined to succeed in the online learning environment.

  • The Hybrid Track combines the flexibility of online coursework with required in-person laboratory and clinical experiences. Lecture content is delivered online, while students attend scheduled on-campus labs, presentations, and examinations at the Shelby-Hoover Campus. This track is ideal for students who need some flexibility in their weekly schedule but requires strong organization, self-motivation, and discipline to manage online coursework successfully.
  • Course Sequence
    • First Semester – Summer
      • Students attend laboratory sessions all day on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. All lecture courses are completed online. There may be circumstances that require participation on a Saturday.
    • Second Semester – Fall
      • Students attend laboratory sessions all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while completing all lecture courses online. Friday or Saturday participation may be required. All students complete a two-week, full-time (40 hours/week) clinical rotation during this semester.
    • Third Semester – Spring
      • In addition to academic coursework, students participate in 16 weeks of full-time (40 hours/week) clinical education in off-campus healthcare facilities. Clinical internships are supervised by licensed physical therapists or clinical instructors in a variety of physical therapy settings.
      • Typical schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. however, students must follow the schedule of their designated clinical instructor
      • Additional hours or weekend participation may be required.
      • Clinical placements may be geographically distant and are assigned by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) based on program goals and learning needs.
      • Students are responsible for their own transportation and lodging during all off-campus and clinical experiences.