About the program:
Physical therapy is a health profession with the primary purpose of restoring, maintaining and improving the quality of life of the healthy and those with injury or dysfunction. Through the use of such tools as physical agents (i.e., heat, cold, ultrasound, traction, electrical stimulation), gait training, massage and various forms of exercise, physical therapy professionals work in a variety of settings with a variety of patients.
Some settings in which physical therapy is performed include hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation units/center, nursing homes, schools and private homes. Patients treated in physical therapy range from newborns to the geriatric population and sample diagnoses would include cerebral palsy, athletic injuries, back/neck problems, strokes, burns/wounds, post-surgical conditions and spinal cord injuries.
Accreditation Status
The PTA Program at Kilgore College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; Telephone: 703-706-3245; E-mail: accreditation@apta.org. Website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 903-983-8154 or email kkleinig@kilgore.edu.
Student Outcomes:
The PTA Program at Kilgore College has excellent student outcomes for its students including graduation rates, licensure pass rates on the national licensure exam, and employment rates. For the most recent two years of data collection (2017-2019), the following outcomes are noted in these areas:
- Graduation rate: 86.5%
- National licensure ultimate exam pass rate (last two years): 100%
- First time national licensure exam pass rate for last two years: 85.71%.
- Employment rate (last two years): 96%
What does the PTA Program cost?
For estimated costs of the KC PTA Program, view the 2020-2021 cost analysis document (pdf).
How do I apply to the KC PTA Program?
Alternate option for volunteer/work experience in the field of physical therapy:
Due to unprecedented restrictions on volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kilgore College PTA Program recognizes that not everyone will have the opportunity to complete requirements for the Volunteer/Work Experience portion of our application. It is the Program’s belief that each applicant demonstrate exposure to the field of physical therapy prior to admission into our program, therefore we have developed an alternative solution for applicants of 2021.
If you have not completed 16 hours in 3 different settings as typically required, then you will watch the 5 videos below and write a paper to satisfy that requirement. If you have already met the original requirement, you are not required to write this paper.
- Acute Panel Video: https://www.screencast.com/t/0iRPwtoDZiMJ
- Home Health Panel Video: https://www.screencast.com/t/mQhKrgsPx
- OutPatient Panel Video: https://www.screencast.com/t/yRDfri5Ed
- Pediatric Panel Video: https://www.screencast.com/t/7MO0hywv6i5
- Skilled Nursing Facility Video: https://www.screencast.com/t/e9JhhXVfa
Your paper should be a typed, 1.5-spaced, well-developed, one-to-two page essay that reflects on the videos. Spelling and grammar count so use all available resources. Use a readable, 12-point font, 1-inch margins and 1.5 line spacing to answer the following questions:
- What was your least favorite setting and why?
- What was your favorite setting and why?
- What qualities do you have that would align with the strengths listed in a particular setting?
- What populations are seen in each of the five settings?
- And what was the general consensus about dealing with an ethical dilemma?
Current Grade Form:
Please use the Current Grade Form to document your current grade in a course that is in progress and will not have final grade posted by the application due date.
Program information:
NOTE: For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.