Physical Therapist Assistant Program Information
Virtual Information Sessions
These one-hour sessions are for anyone planning to major as a Physical Therapist Assistant or those interested in what the program offers. PTA Information Sessions are offered via Zoom: https://ucincinnati.zoom.us/j/6357670796
| Date | Time | RSVP Link |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Jan. 26 | 9 a.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA1-26-26 |
| Monday, Feb. 9 | 1 p.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA2-9-26 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 4 p.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA2-24-26 |
| Thursday, March 12 | 9 a.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA3-12-26 |
| Friday, March 27 | 12 p.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA3-27-26 |
| Monday, April 6 | 12 p.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA4-6-26 |
| Monday, May 18 | 9 a.m. | https://admissions.catalyst.uc.edu/register/PTA5-18-26 |
Admission to the Program
The competitive admission application process for the second year of the PTA Program opens annually on November 1 and closes at the end of the University of Cincinnati’s fall semester. The competitive application is now closed.
For more information, please attend a virtual PTA info session or contact Carolyn Shisler, Program Director.
Application to the technical year of the Physical Therapist Assistant major is on an annual and competitive basis during the Fall Semester. Refer to the Admissions Criteria Program Page for further information.
Additional Information
Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience.
We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals.
Questions? Email us at clermont.advising@uc.edu or call us at 513-732-5205 to schedule an appointment.
Carolyn Shisler
Assoc Professor - Educator, CC Physical Therapy Assisting
285 CC West Woods Acad Cntr
Her teaching focuses on acute care physical therapy and the medically complex patient. Her recent work emphasizes enhancing collaboration and communication within the PT-PTA team. She has developed intraprofessional learning experiences with local DPT programs and completed her master’s thesis on PT-PTA collaboration in the acute care setting.
Professor Shisler is passionate about sharing her love for patient care and the physical therapy profession with her students. She advocates for the vital contributions of PTAs in clinical practice and strives to instill a patient-centered approach in future clinicians.
At the university level, Professor Shisler was accepted into the Academy of Fellows for Teaching and Learning in 2024 and co-created the Teaching and Learning Community of Practice at UC Clermont.
At a national level, Professor Shisler teaches the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Level 1 and Level 2 Clinical Instructor Credentialing courses and she is active in the APTA Academy of Education PTA Educator Special Interest Group. She represents PTA education on the APTA's Collaborative for Physical Therapy Education.
In addition to her academic responsibilities, she continues to practice at The Christ Hospital in the acute care and inpatient rehab settins.
Admissions
Clermont College
4200 Clermont College Drive
Batavia, OH 45103
(513) 558-8316
clermont.admissions@uc.edu
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at the University of Cincinnati, Clermont College is a rigorous course of study that prepares students for clinical practice. These technical standards define the physical, intellectual, and professional skills required for safe, effective care and fulfill the responsibilities of a PTA.
To graduate, students must meet both academic requirements and these technical standards, which include cognitive, psychomotor, and affective abilities essential for clinical practice. These standards are designed to support all students in developing the competencies necessary for safe patient care, with reasonable accommodations as needed, which the university will provide at no cost to the student.
The program collaborates with the university's Accessibility Resource Office to ensure equitable access and provide appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities, both in academic and clinical settings. The University of Cincinnati is committed to creating an inclusive environment and does not discriminate on the basis of disability or any other protected status (see Notice of Non-Discrimination).
Students with disabilities are encouraged to utilize available support services. To receive accommodations, students must self-identify and provide documentation to the Accessibility Resources Office. Questions may be directed to the Director of Accessibility Resources.
The presence of a disability does not eliminate the requirement to meet the essential technical standards and outcomes of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Essential outcomes may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations. The University will provide reasonable accommodations at no cost to the student, consistent with applicable law, provided such accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program or compromise patient safety.
| Categories of Essential Functions | Examples of Technical Standards |
|---|---|
Critical Thinking/ Problem Solving |
As a PTA student, you’ll need strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care. This means being able to gather and understand information from textbooks, medical records, and professional resources, then use that knowledge to make sound decisions. You’ll learn to recognize cause-and-effect relationships in healthcare, identify patient problems, and adjust interventions under the plan of care. It’s also important to integrate what you’ve learned across all courses to deliver holistic care, respond calmly in emergencies, and use effective strategies for learning and teaching. These skills are essential for success in both the classroom and clinical settings.
|
| Behavioral/ Emotional/ Social Coping Skills | PTA students must manage academic and clinical responsibilities effectively while adapting to diverse and sometimes demanding environments across various professional settings. They are expected to demonstrate emotional intelligence and resilience, good judgment, and professionalism, especially when facing challenges such as illness, disability, or end-of-life care to develop mature, sensitive relationships with patients, families, faculty, colleagues, and other healthcare providers. The program encourages healthy coping strategies and support systems to maintain balance, prioritize tasks, and respond appropriately under stress. |
Communication Skills |
Students in the PTA Program must communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and all members of the healthcare team, using verbal, non-verbal, and paraverbal forms of communication. They should be skilled in eliciting information, detecting changes in mood and activity, and establishing therapeutic relationships. Effective communication involves active listening, recognizing and responding to non-verbal cues, and using appropriate written formats for various purposes. Additionally, students should be prepared to use alternative communication methods, such as interpreters, language lines, and communication boards, when necessary. They must also maintain accurate, organized records of treatment procedures and charges. |
Observational Skills |
PTA students must develop strong observational skills to ensure safe and effective patient care. This includes the ability to gather and interpret information from lectures, lab demonstrations, clinical simulations, and multimedia resources. Students are expected to accurately observe patients’ physical appearance, movement patterns, and verbal and non-verbal cues, as well as interpret clinical data such as vital signs and treatment responses. These observations help guide appropriate treatment decisions and adjustments under the plan of care. Functional sensory abilities in vision, hearing, and touch, or equivalent methods (such as assistive technologies or adaptive strategies) of gathering information, are essential for success in both classroom and clinical settings. |
Motor Skills |
PTA students must have sufficient physical endurance, motor function, and sensory ability to provide safe and effective patient care with or without reasonable accommodations. This includes performing hands-on skills such as functional mobility, patient positioning, manual therapy, and exercise programs as outlined in the physical therapist’s plan of care. Students are expected to use proper body mechanics during transfers and gait training, adapt to changing environments, and apply fine motor skills for equipment handling and documentation. |
Professionalism/ Ethics |
Students in the PTA Program are expected to demonstrate unselfish, honest, moral, and ethical behavior in all academic and professional settings, adhering to the Standards of Ethics for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Core Values for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants. They should exhibit leadership qualities such as initiative, creativity, flexibility, and respect for authority, while maintaining a professional work ethic and time management skills that ensure punctual attendance. Recognizing personal limitations and seeking assistance when needed is crucial, as is demonstrating respect for patients, colleagues, and the profession of physical therapy. Additionally, students must comply with HIPAA guidelines, maintain confidentiality, and follow the standards outlined in the PTA Program Student Handbook and Clinical Education Handbook. |
Sources:
Clarke State Community College. (2016, June). Technical Standards, Skills, and Abilities. http://www.clarkstate.edu/media/1407/pta_hdbk.pdf
Greenville Technical College. (n.d.). Essential Functions and Technical Standards for Physical Therapist Assistant Students. www.gvltec.edu/PTA_Essential_Functions/
Northland Community & Technical College. (n.d.). Essential Functions for Physical Therapist Assistant Students. http://www.northlandcollege.edu/programs/physical_therapist_assistant/program_detail.php?quick_facts=program_facts&program_code=450
University of Evansville. (2015, April). Essential Functions for the PTA. Retrieved from https://www.evansville.edu/majors/physicaltherapy/downloads/pta/essential.pdf
Dictionary of Occupational Titles. (n.d.). PTA description. https://occupationalinfo.org/07/076224010.html
Updated 12/16/2025
The Physical Therapy Assistant program at the University of Cincinnati Clermont 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; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please contact the program director at Carolyn.Shisler@uc.edu or (513) 558-5201 or email the Interim Department Chair of Science & Health at Brenda.Poynter@uc.edu.
Mission
The mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant program at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College is to educate students to become competent entry-level physical therapist assistants. The program also aims to promote excellence in teaching, support the growth of students and faculty, serve the community and respond to regional needs.
Additionally, the college provides student-centered undergraduate education and lifelong learning in an open-access environment, fostering diversity and intellectual, cultural and social development.
Philosophy
The University of Cincinnati Clermont College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program is committed to serving both students and the communities they will work in. Our dedicated faculty offer a student-centered, inclusive and personalized education to ensure success in both classroom and clinical settings. We collaborate with advisors, the Office of Student Success and Career Services to help students achieve their career goals and foster personal growth.
The University of Cincinnati reaffirms its policy that discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or gender identity and expression shall not be practiced in any of its activities.
University Rule 3361: 10-13-01