Program Goals and Outcomes

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will provide students with a comprehensive curriculum that reflects current physical therapy practice and maintains compliance with the required standards and elements set forth by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

• The program will maintain CAPTE accreditation 100% of the time.
• Ninety percent of students will agree or strongly agree on the exit survey that the program promotes a culture of justice, equity, diversity, inclusivity (or JEDI), belonging, and anti-racism.
• Ninety percent of clinical instructors will confirm on the terminal clinical experience midterm site visit form that the curriculum adequately prepared students to be successful on the clinical rotation.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will maximize the resources of Morton College and the PTA Program to support quality learning experiences and program development.

• Ninety percent of students will agree or strongly agree on the exit survey that they had sufficient program resources and space to be successful.
• Eighty-five percent of faculty will agree or strongly agree that they have sufficient resources to provide quality learning experiences.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will show a commitment to community service through participation in activities that may include health promotion, education, service, and/or advocacy for the profession of physical therapy.

• Ninety percent of students will complete eight hours of community service throughout their enrollment in the PTA program.
• One hundred percent of Faculty and Staff will participate annually in institutional and/or professional service.

The graduate will pass the National Physical Therapy Examination for the physical therapist assistant.

• Ultimate licensure pass rates are 85% or above, averaged over two years.

The graduate will demonstrate the skills necessary for entry-level practice as a physical therapist assistant and obtain a job as a physical therapist assistant.

• Ninety percent of employers will agree or strongly agree on the employer survey that Morton College PTA graduates meet the requirements for entry-level practice.
• Ninety percent of graduates who seek employment as a physical therapist assistant will be employed in the field within one year after passing the licensure examination.

The faculty will conduct ongoing assessments to ensure the program quality and curriculum content are responsive to the needs of our students and the community served by Morton College.

• One hundred percent of faculty will be involved in course and program assessment.
• Ninety percent of students and responding graduates will strongly agree or agree that the program quality and curriculum content meet the needs of students.

The faculty will be engaged in professional advancement and continuing education activities to promote evidence-based practice and current research in their teaching to provide quality instruction to meet the needs of students and the program.

• One hundred percent of faculty will meet professional licensure requirements for continuing education.
• Ninety percent of students and responding graduates will strongly agree or agree that the faculty used current textbooks and evidence to support course content.

The student will complete and pass all program courses in the technical phase of the PTA program.

• Seventy percent of students from each cohort will obtain a 75% or higher or achieve a pass(P) in all PTA program courses.
• Ninety percent of students will achieve entry-level requirements by the end of their terminal clinical experience, as indicated on the clinical assessment tool.

The student will recognize the importance of professional growth and lifelong learning to the continued professional development of the physical therapist assistant.

• One hundred percent of students will complete an in-service presentation.

One hundred percent of students will identify a career advancement pathway in their final portfolio.