Current Students / Academic Divisions / Admission Requirements for Health Programs / PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Delta's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program was first developed in 1976 and has a history of student success. The PTA program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Delta's PTA program is a leader in the State of Michigan and beyond.

Admission to the PTA program

When you've completed the the required observation hours and the validation courses listed in the catalog (see notations at the bottom of the page), you will apply to the PTA program through a process called validation. The registration office will certify that you've completed the required prerequisite courses and qualifications. You are guaranteed a spot to begin the clinical portion of your program once you've been validated, as long as you complete the clinical registration steps annually.

Validation

Clinical Registration

The PTA program has limited enrollment

    • 20 students per year enter the PTA program. 
    • Up to 8 of the 20 students are accepted by scholarly admission. 

All validated PTA students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply for one of the PTA program’s scholar admission positions.  Up to eight people who meet this criterion may be selected/offered a position in the Fall 2025 class using this process.  

The advantage of being selected via scholar admission is that you can essentially “skip ahead” on the validation list.  The remainder of the positions in the class will be offered to individuals using the current waitlist process.

Scholar admission 

All validated PTA students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply for one of the PTA program’s scholar admission positions.  Up to eight people who meet this criterion may be offered a position in the Fall 2025 class using this process. 

The advantage of being selected via scholar admission is that you can essentially “skip ahead” on the validation list.  The remainder of the positions in the class will be offered to individuals using the current waitlist process.

All validated PTA students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply. The criteria that is reviewed for scholar admission is as follows:

    • Overall GPA
    • Number of credits at Delta College
    • Average BIO 140 or 152/153 grade
    • Previously earned degrees or certifications
    • Paid work experience
    • Unpaid/volunteer work experience
    • Presidential Honors Scholar
    • Honors classes
    • Graduate of BAISD PT/OT/Sports Med program or equivalent

Frequently asked questions

The technical phase of the program is five semesters long (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer, Fall, Winter). 

Each semester in the (PTA) program requires a full-time commitment to be successful. Students spend many hours outside of class studying and practicing skills.

Most PTA courses are offered during the day; however, students may occasionally be asked to be available on nights or weekends for special events.

Yes, there are some fully online courses and blended courses in the PTA program. However, there are on-campus and/or in-person clinical education requirements EVERY semester in Delta's PTA program.  

Yes. Delta’s PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

We accept a new cohort of students each year in June who will start classes in the Fall. 

First, students must complete the pre-requisite courses with the minimum required passing grades (see PTA program notations in the catalog) and complete 20 observation hours (this form is linked on the left side of the page under "future student forms"). Next, students must complete the validation and clinical registration processes to be considered for admission. High achieving students (3.5 GPA or higher) are eligible to apply for scholar admission if they choose. 

2 hours of observation are required. These hours will be split between 2 different clinical sites. Students are responsible for setting up their observations on their own. Students must take the observation hours form with them and have it filled out on-site as verification of their experience. There is no required window of time to complete the observation hours – you can start at any time.

All students interested in applying to the program at Delta should review the Validation for Health Programs page. See also "admission requirements" above. 

Please contact the program coordinator for an up-to-date answer to this question.

Many students take business or health classes, complete a dual degree, pursue a certification, work or volunteer in the field.

Technical standards of the PTA Program

The Delta College Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities. The following technical standards describe the essential abilities and functions necessary for successful participation in the PTA program and completion of its academic, laboratory, and clinical requirements.

Students must be able to meet these technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation. Requests for accommodations are evaluated on an individualized basis through the Delta College Office of Disability Resources. Reasonable accommodations will be considered when they enable a qualified student to meet essential program requirements without fundamentally altering the nature of the program, compromising patient safety, or eliminating an essential technical standard.

The standards are not intended to describe specific diagnoses or disabilities or to require students to perform functions without accommodation. Rather, they describe the functional abilities necessary to participate safely and effectively in the educational and clinical components of the PTA program.

Technical standards

Observation

Students must be able to:

  • Obtain and interpret information relevant to patient care through appropriate sensory means, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Observe and recognize changes in a patient's condition, movement, and response to treatment.
  • Obtain information from patients, records, equipment, demonstrations, and other instructional or clinical sources.
  • Recognize environmental conditions and potential safety hazards.

Communication

Students must be able to:

  • Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, faculty, clinical instructors, and healthcare team members.
  • Obtain and provide information necessary for safe and effective patient care.
  • Give and follow clear instructions and appropriately respond to verbal, written, and electronic communication.
  • Accurately document patient care in a timely manner.
  • Use appropriate alternative or assistive communication methods when needed.

Motor skills

Students must be able to:

  • Move safely within classroom, laboratory, clinical, and patient-care environments.
  • Perform or assist with required patient-care activities, including transfers, positioning, gait training, therapeutic exercise, and mobility activities.
  • Safely use equipment, assistive devices, and therapeutic tools.
  • Demonstrate the coordination and controlled movement necessary for safe patient care.
  • Respond appropriately when a patient requires physical assistance.
  • Perform required activities for the duration necessary to complete laboratory and clinical responsibilities.

Cognitive skills

Students must be able to:

  • Learn, retain, and apply information necessary for safe and effective patient care.
  • Read, comprehend, and apply information from instructional and clinical materials.
  • Follow instructions, procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Apply problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills appropriate to the PTA role.
  • Recognize changes in a patient's condition and communicate them appropriately.
  • Organize, prioritize, and manage tasks effectively.
  • Recognize personal limitations and seek assistance when appropriate.

Behavior/emotional

Students must be able to:

  • Demonstrate professional behavior and effective interpersonal skills in academic and clinical settings.
  • Respond appropriately to routine and unexpected situations while maintaining patient safety.
  • Adapt to changing circumstances and patient needs.
  • Maintain appropriate attention and focus during patient-care activities.
  • Accept and appropriately respond to constructive feedback.
  • Demonstrate respect, empathy, and sensitivity toward individuals with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
  • Manage the routine demands and stresses of academic and clinical environments in a manner that supports safe and professional patient care.

Professional conduct

Students must be able to:

  • Demonstrate honesty, integrity, accountability, and respect.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable laws, policies, and professional standards.
  • Follow Delta College and clinical-site policies and safety requirements.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and conduct.
  • Demonstrate punctuality, preparedness, dependability, and responsibility.
  • Accept supervision and incorporate feedback from faculty, clinical instructors, and physical therapists.
  • Practice within the scope and responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant.
  • Maintain professional appearance consistent with program and clinical-site requirements.
  • Protect the dignity, privacy, rights, safety, and autonomy of patients.
  • Recognize personal limitations and seek assistance when needed to provide safe and effective patient care.

Accommodations

Meeting these technical standards is required for successful completion of the PTA program. Delta College will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities through an individualized process. Accommodations may include appropriate auxiliary aids, services, equipment, or modifications that enable a student to meet essential program requirements. An accommodation is not required when it would fundamentally alter an essential program requirement, compromise patient safety, or otherwise create an undue burden under applicable law.

Admitted candidates with disabilities may confidentially consult with the Office of Disability Resources to determine whether reasonable accommodations or alternative mechanisms would enable them to meet the program’s technical standards. This process recognizes that individuals with a variety of disabilities can successfully become health professionals. Applicants who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Resources at 989-686-9794 or disabilityresources@delta.edu.