Physical Therapist Assistant Associate in Applied Science

1. College Admission

   • Apply to Lake Michigan College.
   • Submit official transcripts from your high school/GED and all colleges attended to records@lakemichigancollege.edu.

2. Required General Education and Prerequisite Coursework

   • All general education and prerequisite courses must meet the required timeframes, minimum grades, and minimum GPAs as specified in the table below.
   • Spring courses in progress are considered during the spring application cycle.
   • One point is deducted for each retake of BIOL 110, HEAL 103, or EXSC 208; withdrawals do not affect scoring.
   • EXSC 208 must be completed at LMC; transfer credit is not accepted.
   • For transfer or substitution questions, consult your advisor and review DegreeWorks.

    

   General Education Courses1 (completed within 10 years, minimum grade of C in each course, 2.50 minimum GPA)	Prerequisite Courses (completed within 5 years, minimum grade of B- in each course, 2.75 minimum GPA)
   ENGL 101 English Composition I – 3 credits	BIOL 110 Human Anatomy and Physiology2 – 4 credits
   ENGL 102 English Composition II – 3 credits	HEAL 103 Medical Terminology – 2 credits
   MATH 122 Intermediate Algebra or MATH 123 Quantitative Reasoning - 4 credits	EXSC 208 Kinesiology – 3 credits
   PSYC 201 Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits
   Humanities/Fine Arts Elective3 – 3 credits

    

   _{Notes: ¹Students with a previous degree may be eligible for a general education waiver. Contact your advisor to discuss. ²BIOL 110 may require additional credits or course substitutions for transfer students. ³Acceptable Humanities/Fine Arts courses (100-level or higher): Art, Communications, Foreign Language, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Drama, 200-level English courses, and select Honors courses (122, 171, 175, 195, 196, 204, 208, 256, 258).}

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3. PTA Program Information Session

   • All applicants must attend a PTA Information Session within 18 months of applying. 
   • Sessions are held on the second Tuesday of February, April, August, and October from 4–5 PM at the South Haven Campus (Room 220).
   • Students must register to attend; click here to register.

4. ATI TEAS Exam

   • Must be taken within 2 years of the application deadline
   • No minimum score required; points awarded based on performance
   • Refer to PTA Advising Guide for preparation and registration details

5. Observation Hours

   • 20 hours of observation under a licensed PT/PTA, completed within 2 years of the deadline
   • May be completed in one setting; multiple settings encouraged
   • PT aide/tech experience with direct patient care qualifies toward this requirement
   • Verification form required

6. Direct Patient Care Experience (Optional)

   • 100+ hours in a qualifying role such as PT Aide, CNA, Medical Assistant, etc.
   • Must involve direct patient care; administrative roles do not qualify
   • Verified experience adds 5 points to your application score

7. Program Application

   • Submit the separate PTA Program Application by the deadline

Selection Process

Admission to the PTA program is selective and competitive. Each year, up to 18 students are accepted based on a point system that evaluates academic performance and completion of key requirements.

Applicants are ranked on a 100-point scale, with points awarded for prerequisite GPA, cumulative GPA, TEAS score, and optional direct patient care experience.

One point is deducted for each retake of the following prerequisite courses: BIOL 110, HEAL 103, and EXSC 208.

For a detailed breakdown of selection criteria, refer to the PTA Advising Guide.

You may use the PTA Application Scoring Calculator to estimate your application score. Final scores are verified by the program upon review of all submitted documentation. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program combines theoretical knowledge with practical application through dynamic, student-centered learning. All PTA courses are taken in a specific sequence and are primarily delivered face-to-face. While most instruction occurs in person, some courses include online components such as digital resources and synchronous or asynchronous learning activities.

Classroom instruction features interactive lectures, collaborative problem-solving, and case-based discussions that develop critical clinical reasoning. Students engage in clinical simulation scenarios, peer teaching opportunities, and evidence-based practice activities that deepen understanding of course concepts.

Laboratory sessions provide hands-on practice of essential physical therapy techniques with personalized faculty instruction and feedback. Students then apply these skills during clinical experiences in real-world healthcare environments. Throughout the program, professional development activities complement academic learning to prepare graduates for successful careers in physical therapy.