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Physical Therapist Assistant - Admissions Requirements

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a selective admissions program. Select your appropriate student status to view specific admission requirements.

A brief PERSONAL STATEMENT explaining why the applicant has chosen to pursue the Physical Therapist Assistant degree is required as part of the application. Include academic and personal attributes that the applicant believes best prepares them to enter this healthcare degree program (500 words or less).

Applicants should review the PTA Program Admission Rubric for additional academic considerations for admission review.

Students who do not meet the prerequisites may be eligible to enroll in a preparatory curriculum. Completion or admission into a preparatory curriculum does not guarantee admission to the PTA Program.

Recommended Supporting Documents

Although not required, it is recommended that applicants consider completing observation hours and a reflective summary, as detailed below, to strengthen their application rubric score.

Observation Hours

Minimum of 20 hours of observation in a physical therapy setting with a completed PTA Program Observation Experience Form from the supervising therapist; ideally this would include two different types of physical therapy settings (i.e. inpatient and outpatient).

Reflective Summary

Reflective summary of observation experience, sharing what was learned from the experience and how that impacts their interest in the physical therapy profession (500 words or less). Email summary to admissions@canton.edu

How to Apply

1. Check PTA Admissions Requirements chart to determine eligibility.
2. Submit The Common Application or the SUNY Application on-line. Be sure to select Physical Therapist Assistant as your intended major.  Students who are already enrolled at SUNY Canton should complete the Change of Major Request for selective programs.
3. Ensure any supporting documentation that has been completed is submitted as follows:

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the admissions department as they are received and all eligible applications will be forwarded on to the Program Director. An applicant may be considered for early decision by the Program Director if they have completed all requirements and achieve a minimum rubric score of 15 or higher. The early decision deadline for applications is December 1. Review of all qualified applicants for regular decision will begin in early February and will continue until the enrollment cap of 24 students is reached. A wait list will be created for any additional accepted applicants and will be drawn from if spots become available.

The PTA Program Director has the right to make all final admissions decisions at their discretion taking into consideration all aspects of the student's application and academic record.

*Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the PTA program.

Acceptance/Matriculation Rates

In Fall 2024, 100% of qualified applicants were offered admission to the program; 86% enrolled in the PTA program.