Grading and Attendance Policies

The Minimum (C)
The faculty of all four PTA programs at Penn State agree that students should achieve a grade of at least "C" in each of the courses listed below. This is to ensure the student's successful completion of the program, to ensure their competence as a health care provider, and most importantly to ensure passing of the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.

It is the student's professional responsibility to approach the professor in a timely fashion for guidance in improving his or her academic performance.

You are required to achieve at least a "C" in the following courses:

  • BIOL 161         3 credits
  • BIOL 162         1 credit
  • BIOL 163         3 credits
  • BIOL 164         1 credit
  • ENG 15           3 credits
  • MATH              3 credits
  • PT 100             3 credits
  • PT 120             2 credits
  • PT 384             3 credits
  • PT 150             2 credits
  • PT 160             3 credits
  • PT 250             3 credits
  • PT 260             3 credits
  • PT 271             3 credits
  • PT 272             2 credits
  • PT 280             5 credits
  • PT 285             2 credits
  • PT 290W          3 credits
  • KINES 013       1 credit
  • PT 395E           3 credits
  • PT 395F           4 credits
  • PT 395G          4 credits

Failing to achieve at least a "C" in these courses prevents you from continuing in the program.

Clinical Experience

Students will need to achieve a minimum of "C" in all academic courses listed above before progressing on to clinical rotations.

Grading

The following grading scale will be used:

  • A     (93 - 100)
  • A-    (90 - 92)
  • B+   (87 - 89)
  • B     (84 - 86)
  • B-    (80 - 83)
  • C+   (77 - 79)
  • C     (75 - 76)
  • D     (60 - 74)
  • F      < 60 

Any grade below "C" is considered unacceptable in the courses listed above and will delay academic progression. Students in the Physical Therapist Assistant program can fail one course and have the opportunity to repeat that course. If the student fails a second course, they are dismissed from the program. The student needs to maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain in the program.

Attendance

Attendance encompasses tardiness and class participation. It is the professional responsibility of all students to notify the instructor in advance if they are unable to attend any lecture, lab activity, or exam. Each instance of tardiness will result in a grade of 80%. Each absence from class (lecture or lab) will result in a grade of 0% for that day.

Technical Functions for Physical Therapist Assistant Students

There are several important factors for you to consider when you are determining your future career directions. To be successful in the PTA classroom and in your job following graduation, you should be able to meet all of the following expectations:

  1. Attend class approximately 10-25 hours a week or perform 40 hours a week of clinical education, depending on the stage of the program curriculum.
  2. Complete all assignments on time.
  3. Participate in classroom discussions.
  4. Perform or instruct others in the following procedures (learned in class) in a timely manner: transfers, gait training, physical agents, activities of daily living, therapeutic exercises or activities, and data collection procedures.
  5. Use sound judgment and safety precautions (exposure to blood-borne pathogens and/or infectious disease may occur as part of the educational experience). Students are trained in safety/infection control and are expected to follow these guidelines to avoid contracting or transmitting disease.
  6. Meet class standards for successful course completion.
  7. Use critical thinking when making decisions.
  8. Follow standards stated in PTA Program Policy and Procedure Manual and the PTA Program Clinical Education Handbook.
  9. Address problems or questions to the appropriate person at the appropriate time.
  10. Maintain classroom, work area, equipment, supplies, personal appearance and hygiene conducive to a professional setting as appropriate.
  11. Behave in a competent and professional manner.
     

Physical requirements for the PTA Program include the need to occasionally, frequently, or continually:

  1. Sit 2-5 hours per day with lecture blocks up to 3 hours.
  2. Stand 1-6 hours with lab time blocks up to 3 hours.
  3. Lift up to 60 pounds.
  4. Push/pull up to 50 pounds of force exerted at waist level.
  5. Squat or stoop.
  6. Use auditory, tactile, and visual senses to assess physiological status of an individual.
  7. Demonstrate good standing and unsupported sitting balance.
  8. Demonstrate good finger dexterity.
  9. Coordinate verbal and manual instructions.
  10. Communicate effectively with a variety of people through written, verbal, and nonverbal methods.
  11. Shift weight in sitting or standing.
  12. Demonstrate the ability to use a firm grasp while using physical therapy equipment and while performing physical therapy interventions.
  13. Reach above shoulder level.
  14. Kneel, kneel-stand, and half kneel.
  15. Use equipment that emits electrical, ultrasonic, and thermal energy.
  16. Physically move and transfer patients.

Students who have concerns about the ability to perform any of these functions should contact the PTA Program Coordinator: 
Dr. Gina Tarud, DPT 
gmt12@psu.edu

Individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations or information by contacting the Student Success Center.

In order to successfully complete the PTA curriculum, students enrolled in the PTA program must be able to perform the foregoing technical standards with reasonable accommodations.

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for modifications or reasonable accommodations, contact the Student Success Center in Butler 203. For further information regarding ODS, please visit https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources. This same office also describes the University’s rights and responsibilities to the student under this act. Any questions concerning this information can be directed to the resources noted above.

Revised 6/29/2018

 

Penn State Hazleton Disability Services

For additional program policy and procedure information, see the PTA Program Student Handbook.