how's the math in pta program?

hello everyone im new to this forum, i going back to school to pursue a career in physical therapy assistant. im 40 years old and i've been out of school for almost 3 decades, im just curious what type of math prereq's in pta program? and what area should i focus to study. can anybody give me an insight.

joe in Henderson, Nevada said: hello everyone im new to this forum, i going back to school to pursue a career in physical therapy assistant. im 40 years old and i've been out of school for almost 3 decades, im just curious what type of math prereq's in pta program? and what area should i focus to study. can anybody give me an insight.

Hi Joe! I am over 40 and am in the PTA program! The prereqs depend on the school program requirements. You test at the college they rate you and put you in the math class for that level or you can do tutorials and test up. College Algebra or a contemporary math was required in my program. You can do it visit with the advisors or math lab people ours were very helpful!

joe in Henderson, Nevada said: hello everyone im new to this forum, i going back to school to pursue a career in physical therapy assistant. im 40 years old and i've been out of school for almost 3 decades, im just curious what type of math prereq's in pta program? and what area should i focus to study. can anybody give me an insight.

Hello Joe,
I’m also 40 and wanting to pursue a career as a PTA. Would you happen to be married w/ children? If so, will your wife be working? I don’t mean to pry, but the big issue I have to figure out is how to provide for my family while attending school. My wife is able to work, but we decided before having children that it’s in their best interest for her to stay home and raise & home school them, so her going back to work while I attend school really isn’t an option for us. I haven’t found any men posting on this forum in a similar situation as me, so I’m trying to figure out my options if there are any.

@ goBIgBlue, yes im married and have two children. its look like we are in the same situation. well for me this is my last chance of changing career, im 40 if not now when? i just have to cut back all the unnecessary expenses for 3 years at least. i'm going to community college which is cheaper.

joe in Henderson, Nevada said: hello everyone im new to this forum, i going back to school to pursue a career in physical therapy assistant. im 40 years old and i've been out of school for almost 3 decades, im just curious what type of math prereq's in pta program? and what area should i focus to study. can anybody give me an insight.

I'm just finishing the pre-reqs at Baker College in Michigan for the PTA program and it's really not the math portion to be concerned with. To answer the question the only requirment for math is Introductory Algebra. Some colleges are different by name (intro alg, college alg, etc...); however, it's all the same. The classes to really focus on are the Anatomy and Physiology courses. Do not underestimate the power of Kinesiology. The way it is explaned to the students is that it's the "weeder" class. It is ment to be the most difficult in order to "weed out" the not so serious students. Personally I think it's unfair, but so is getting laid off after X amount of years at one job. As an adult student, like myself, I think you know how to handle the challenge. Good Luck!

thank you.

Corey,

I'm a second year PTA student, and I just finished Kinesiology and got an A. I go to NVCC in VA and it's a very strict. Kinesiology is a very interesting course and will teach you a lot of cool things that you will use in your job as a PTA. If you are good with anatomy, you should have n problem with Kinesiology.

Good luck

Aphex in Falls Church, Virginia said: Corey,

I'm a second year PTA student, and I just finished Kinesiology and got an A. I go to NVCC in VA and it's a very strict. Kinesiology is a very interesting course and will teach you a lot of cool things that you will use in your job as a PTA. If you are good with anatomy, you should have n problem with Kinesiology.

Good luck

wow you got A on kinesioloy? i hope i can do that too. hey thank for the feedback.

Gracie in Dalhart, Texas said: Hi Joe! I am over 40 and am in the PTA program! The prereqs depend on the school program requirements. You test at the college they rate you and put you in the math class for that level or you can do tutorials and test up. College Algebra or a contemporary math was required in my program. You can do it visit with the advisors or math lab people ours were very helpful!

thanks for the feedback

Corey in Holland, Michigan said: I'm just finishing the pre-reqs at Baker College in Michigan for the PTA program and it's really not the math portion to be concerned with. To answer the question the only requirment for math is Introductory Algebra. Some colleges are different by name (intro alg, college alg, etc...); however, it's all the same. The classes to really focus on are the Anatomy and Physiology courses. Do not underestimate the power of Kinesiology. The way it is explaned to the students is that it's the "weeder" class. It is ment to be the most difficult in order to "weed out" the not so serious students. Personally I think it's unfair, but so is getting laid off after X amount of years at one job. As an adult student, like myself, I think you know how to handle the challenge. Good Luck!

I will be attending summer at allen park baker college for the pta program. is there a waiting list for that program i know they go by gpa. is baker a good college. I'd appreciate any help. thank u

joseph in Detroit, Michigan said: I will be attending summer at allen park baker college for the pta program. is there a waiting list for that program i know they go by gpa. is baker a good college. I'd appreciate any help. thank u

I was told that Baker (Allen Park) has accreditation issues. I have worked in the therapy field for several years and I have yet to meet anyone from Baker College. Everyone has been to either Henry Ford CC or Macomb CC. They are very good programs.

If you are going there, just make sure their accreditation is not all screwed up. Make sure that when you graduate, you can sit for the boards immediately!

Hi Joe,

I started the pre-req's for the PTA program this summer also. I'm sure you already figured this out but they weigh the classes based on one or two points to total up to 17 points on your application for the PTA program. The classes that carry a two-point weight are the science classes and Intro to PTA. The one-point classes are the minor classes like, workplace comm and the classes that do not affect your score include math.
My advisor told me that 60 people applied to the program this year and only 20 made it. The class holds 30 positions but you have to qualify with your application, which is due in the spring - in order to get into the program. You want to make sure you do your best in the classes and get the most points you can on your application, have good references and complete the application requirements such as the clinical observations prior to applying. Good luck!

I am 32 and have been in the Graphic Design Industry for almost 10 years. I am thinking of going back to school to study the PTA program at MCC or Henry Ford. As someone that is taking a complete 180 in his career, I have been really cautious about what I am choosing to get into. How is this programs transition from graduation to actual work? I mean, Are employers looking for experience only over education. Because in the graphic industry that is one thing that i struggled with at first after graduation. It took me 3 years before i could find steady work. I realize that PTAs are in high demand especially in the Detroit metro area, I guess i was just concerned if PT centers or hospitals look strictly for experience, or Education, or both? And with that said which school is probably best suited for the transition into the work environment?

joe in Henderson, Nevada said: hello everyone im new to this forum, i going back to school to pursue a career in physical therapy assistant. im 40 years old and i've been out of school for almost 3 decades, im just curious what type of math prereq's in pta program? and what area should i focus to study. can anybody give me an insight.

They arent that bad at all mostly basic math!

EastbayRk in Novi, Michigan said: I am 32 and have been in the Graphic Design Industry for almost 10 years. I am thinking of going back to school to study the PTA program at MCC or Henry Ford. As someone that is taking a complete 180 in his career, I have been really cautious about what I am choosing to get into. How is this programs transition from graduation to actual work? I mean, Are employers looking for experience only over education. Because in the graphic industry that is one thing that i struggled with at first after graduation. It took me 3 years before i could find steady work. I realize that PTAs are in high demand especially in the Detroit metro area, I guess i was just concerned if PT centers or hospitals look strictly for experience, or Education, or both? And with that said which school is probably best suited for the transition into the work environment?

Go to the Physical therapy association website: apta.org and look at the careers page. Not many employers look for experience as long as you graduated from an accredited program...you will start out making a little less though. From what I seen, it ranges from about 14-18/hr, plus benefits with no experience.

Eastbay,
I'm currently on Henry Ford's wait list for the PTA program - if you are interested, you need to get moving and start knocking out your pre-reqs. It's a 2-3 year wait to get admitted to the program. At Macomb, they are doing selective admissions - very competitive, you can still end up waiting 2+ years to get in. On Henry Ford's job site for students, there are numerous opportunities for PTA's starting above $20/hr. Travel PTA pays higher. From what I have researched, I am very optimistic about the opportunities for PTA. Hope this helps.

Corey in Holland, Michigan said: I'm just finishing the pre-reqs at Baker College in Michigan for the PTA program and it's really not the math portion to be concerned with. To answer the question the only requirment for math is Introductory Algebra. Some colleges are different by name (intro alg, college alg, etc...); however, it's all the same. The classes to really focus on are the Anatomy and Physiology courses. Do not underestimate the power of Kinesiology. The way it is explaned to the students is that it's the "weeder" class. It is ment to be the most difficult in order to "weed out" the not so serious students. Personally I think it's unfair, but so is getting laid off after X amount of years at one job. As an adult student, like myself, I think you know how to handle the challenge. Good Luck!

Cory I am starting the pre-req's for the pta program at baker(musk) in the fall. What did you find the most difficult in getting into the program? How are the instructors? Any suggestions you can give me as to getting accepted into the program will be greatly appreciated.

Corey in Holland, Michigan said: I'm just finishing the pre-reqs at Baker College in Michigan for the PTA program and it's really not the math portion to be concerned with. To answer the question the only requirment for math is Introductory Algebra. Some colleges are different by name (intro alg, college alg, etc...); however, it's all the same. The classes to really focus on are the Anatomy and Physiology courses. Do not underestimate the power of Kinesiology. The way it is explaned to the students is that it's the "weeder" class. It is ment to be the most difficult in order to "weed out" the not so serious students. Personally I think it's unfair, but so is getting laid off after X amount of years at one job. As an adult student, like myself, I think you know how to handle the challenge. Good Luck!

Hi corey, I am looking into going into a pta program, but i am a little intimidated. I would love to have this as a career but I do not remember a thing from high school regarding math or anotamy. I am for sure going to be determined and commited to this prgram, just wondering how smart you really have to be for this? I I plan on studying my but off and am going from full time to part time at work so I can focus on the pta program. In high school I was just ok, but I was also pre-occupied by being a teen who thought they knew everything. any feedback would be great. Also Im assuming you graduated already