Mendocino College, a community college in Ukiah, Calif, announces a new Physical Therapist Assistant program that will debut the Spring 2020 semester.
“As the primary higher education institution provider in the region, we are thrilled to offer this critical program to our communities,” says Dr Arturo Reyes, the college’s president/superintendent, in a news story.

Prospective students can apply for the program from August 15 until October 15, 2019. All qualified applicants will then be included in a random, computer-generated lottery system that will choose the 24 students who will ultimately be admitted into the program.

“Our goal is to develop and implement a Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Mendocino College which meets the urgent needs of our community and educates students with the best and most current practices in the Physical Therapy field,” adds Dean of Applied Academics, Dennis Aseltyne.

The Mendocino College PTA Program is four semesters in length and includes both general education and program-specific requirements. The PTA Program has a hybrid format with courses taken both online and on the Mendocino College campus. Students are required to be on campus for laboratory courses two days each week during the spring and fall semesters. In addition to regular coursework, students are required to participate in three full-time, six-week clinical experiences, the news story explains.

“After 20 years as a PT, I still think I hit the jackpot when I choose a career in physical therapy,” shares Program Director Sara Bogner, PT, MS PT, in the article.

“As a PT I have had the opportunity to work in many different settings with a wide variety of patients. I’ve been able to be a part of helping people recover from injury and regain their independence. I’ve seen physical therapy change people’s lives for the better.

“There is no greater feeling than receiving the heartfelt thanks of a patient after they have accomplished their goals. I love teaching and look forward to passing on what I have learned over my years as a PT to the next generation of therapists,” she adds.

For more information about the program, contact Bogner at [email protected].

[Source: The Ukiah Daily Journal]