Mission

The mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus is to graduate knowledgeable and skilled health care providers, ready to work as part of a team to provide selected physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. The program prepares graduates to be life-long learners prepared to address the healthcare needs of a diverse society.

Philosophy

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program aspires to provide the highest quality education in a learner-centered environment. The PTA Program is guided by a commitment to the Penn State Values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community.

Program Goals/Outcomes:

Student-Level Goals

  1. The student will be able to communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in written form in an effective, respectful, and timely manner in ways that are congruent with situational needs.
  2. The student will be able to identify, respect, and act with consideration for patients’/clients’ differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all work-related activities.
  3. The student will observe ethical and legal standards of practice while performing physical therapy interventions.
  4. The student will participate in activities that afford opportunities for growth in social responsibility.
  5. The student will participate in ongoing self-assessment to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors that facilitate career development.
  6. The student will be able to competently demonstrate effective data collection techniques under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
  7. The student will administer safe evidence-based treatment interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
  8. The student will utilize evidence-based clinical problem-solving to provide entry-level physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
  9. The student will demonstrate the ability to collaborate with members of the health care team and provide inter-professional and intra-professional care.

Graduate-Level Goals

  1. Graduates will pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs.
  2. Graduates will be prepared to work as entry-level PTAs under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
  3. Graduates will meet the needs of the area workforce through employment in various clinical settings.

Program-Level Goals

  1. PTA program admission and enrollment processes will support the mission of the program and reflect regional workforce needs.
  2. The PTA program will provide curricula that will adequately prepare students for clinical experiences, future employment as physical therapist assistants and life-long learning.
  3. The PTA program will work with PSU administration, admissions, library services, academic support services, and other support services to develop policies and practices and provide resources that are beneficial to the PTA students and faculty.
  4. The PTA program will maintain highly qualified faculty to educate and evaluate students in the program.
  5. The PTA program will work with qualified clinical faculty to provide students with relevant and diverse clinical experiences
  6. The PTA program will foster a culture of respect and inclusion.

Faculty-Level Goals

  1. The faculty will have contemporary expertise in assigned teaching areas and demonstrate effectiveness in teaching and student evaluation.
  2. The faculty will participate in productive service to the campus, University, profession, and/or community.
  3. The faculty will engage in professional development related to enhancing knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice, pedagogy, and/or service and research activities.

Student Outcomes Data

  • For students matriculating in 2021 and 2022, the two-year average graduation rate is 77.78 percent.
  • For the graduating classes of 2022 and 2023, the two-year average first-time and ultimate pass rate on the national physical therapy exam (NPTE) for PTAs is 100 percent.
  • For the graduating classes of 2023 and 2024, the two-year average first-time pass rate on the national physical therapy exam (NPTE) for PTAs is 91.67 percent.
  • For the graduating classes of 2022 and 2023, the two-year average employment rate is 100 percent.

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