South University

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Basic Information

Address: South University 301 Bendix Rd Suite 100 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone Number: Front Desk (757) 493-6900

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Additional Information

Financial Aid:

At South University, we don't want a lack of funding to stop you from professional growth. We want you to succeed, so we offer a number of financial aid options to meet your financial needs.
In addition to these options, some South University locations offer institutional aid or operate in states where you may apply for state grants. Please refer to our Financial Aid Guide for further information on possible awards, requirements and application processes. Please contact the location of interest for more information.
Please note that state financial aid varies based on the state of residence of the student and where the school is located. While it is not critical that you have applied to and been accepted by the South University campus location of your choice, it is important that you know which location you are planning to attend. It is also helpful to meet with a financial aid officer at that campus location.
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

Admission Requirements:

Admission into the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is a two-step process:

Candidates are eligible to enter the general education phase of the PTA program as "PTA students" by meeting South University's General Undergraduate Admission Requirements.
Candidates must complete prerequisite coursework and meet all requirements outlined below to be eligible for admission to the technical phase of the PTA program.
Students may transfer prerequisite courses into the program before entering the technical phase if approved by the registrar. The coursework that is transferred to South University must permit the student to obtain a 2.85 CGPA by the time the student applies for admission into the PTA technical phase. Students who transfer coursework into South University, but cannot mathematically attain a CGPA of 2.85 by the time they would enter the technical phase, will not be admitted to the PTA program.

Transfer credit will not be accepted for courses in the South University PTA Technical Phase Curriculum.

Note: This does not apply to South University PTA students (in good standing) transferring between campuses.

Students from South University who are in another major will be permitted to transfer into the general education phase of the PTA program if they meet all requirements as stated in the PTA Program Change Policy. Applicants must satisfy technical standards for the PTA program in order to be admitted.

Admission Requirements for the Technical Phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Applicants must apply for admission into the technical phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Applicants must submit a complete application packet and meet all admission requirements as stated below to enter the ranking process. The technical phase slots will be filled by applicants with the greatest academic potential for success as determined by the ranking process.  Applicants with the highest numerical ranking will be admitted to the technical phase of the program.

The criteria to determine admission to the PTA program include:

Application must be submitted seven (7) weeks before the start of the technical phase of the program.
Applicants must meet the Essential Functions and Technical Standards (listed in the application for admission and the program student handbook) of the program in order to enter the ranking process.
Applicants must complete a background check at their own cost using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The PTA program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy located in the South University Academic Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants are not eligible for admittance into any portion of the PTA program if they have a felony conviction, plea, or adjudication withheld, or any disqualifying misdemeanor, for which a pardon or exemption for disqualification has not been received, including but not limited to rape or sexual abuse or molestation, and abuse, endangerment, or neglect of a child, disabled person, or elderly person.
Applicants must complete a drug screen at their own cost using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The PTA program follows the College of Health Professions Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into the PTA Program. Applicants may be eligible to reapply to a future admissions cycle (see PTA Program Director).
Applicants must complete an American Heart Association BLS CPR certification course (or equivalent as deemed by the program) and provide a copy of a valid card at the time of application. The card must remain valid throughout all clinical rotations.
Applicants must complete a health screening (physical exam showing medical clearance and proof of required immunity) before participating in the ranking process.
Applicants must complete 25 hours of observation in a physical therapy setting documented by a licensed PT or PTA on the appropriate form provided in the admissions packet. The completed form must be submitted at the time of application.
Applicants must achieve a 2.85 CGPA or greater in prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be successfully completed prior to entry into the Technical Phase of the PTA Program.
Applicants must submit ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores. Students must achieve a minimum level of "Proficient" to enter the ranking process. Scores will not be accepted if greater than 5 years old.

The number of students entering the technical phase will be determined by the Campus Director/President in conjunction with the PTA Program Director and the ACCE/DCE.
Technical Standards for Physical Therapist Assistant Students
The following standards reflect expectations of a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program for the performance of common physical therapy functions. In adopting these standards the PTA Program is mindful of the patient's right to safe function in a broad variety of clinical situations while receiving physical therapy interventions. The PTA student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while administering physical therapy interventions. These standards do not encompass all that may be required for employment of the PTA Program graduate. In order to verify the students' ability to perform these essential functions, students are required to demonstrate the following technical standards throughout the curriculum.

The faculty is the sole judge of a student's ability to meet these standards through successful completion of the requirements of the program and individual courses.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills. Ability to collect, interpret and integrate information and use that information to make appropriate decisions.
Interpersonal Skills. Ability to collaboratively work with all PTA students and with program faculty and patients in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting.
Coping Skills. Ability to respond appropriately to stressful environments or during impending deadlines.
Communication Skills. Ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, nonverbal and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, families, and healthcare workers.
Mobility/Motor Skills. Sufficient motor ability to execute the movement and skills required for safe and effective physical therapy treatment in various clinical settings.
Sensory Abilities. Sufficient visual, auditory, and tactile ability to monitor and assess health needs.
Behavioral Skills. Ability to demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program fully supports the provision of reasonable accommodations to students with special needs. Program requirements will not be altered. Instead, it is the policy of South University to provide reasonable accommodations to students with special needs who request them so that they can meet the program requirements. It is the students' responsibility to contact the Dean of Student Affairs/Office of Disability Support Services with documentation to support their need for accommodations. Students are encouraged to contact the Dean of Student Affairs and/or Program Director as early as possible to discuss their particular situation.
 

Degrees Offered:

Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Information:

The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program offers a curriculum that is well-rounded in all fundamental concepts and theories as they apply to physical therapy modalities and rehabilitation procedures. The technical phase of the South University Virginia Beach Physical Therapist Assistant program consists of five academic quarters of lecture, laboratory, and clinical coursework. The academic program is taught during the day at the Virginia Beach campus.

The program has one part-time and two full-time clinical education experiences in which students complete 635 hours of clinical education. The first clinical experience is integrated into the second quarter of the technical phase of the program. The second and third clinicals take place during the last two quarters of the curriculum, with students returning to campus to complete a course in Current Rehabilitation Issues between the clinical experiences. This course allows for the integration of clinical experiences with didactic materials and the opportunity to correct deficiencies identified in the assessment of the student's performance in the clinic. The clinical experiences are chosen from a variety of settings, which may include hospitals, nursing homes, sub-acute facilities, and outpatient centers with which the program has entered into clinical agreements.
Contact Email (Required for billing)
lisaac@southuniversity.edu
Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. South University, Virginia Beach, 301 Bendix Rd., Ste. 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. © 2022 South University. All rights reserved.
South University, Richmond, and South University, Virginia Beach, are certified to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia pursuant to Title 23, Chapter 21.1, §23-276.4 of the Code of Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (James Monroe Building, 101 North 14th St; Richmond, VA 23219; 804-225-2600; www.schev.edu).