Lake Michigan College is set to introduce a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, scheduled to begin in Fall 2027.Applications will be accepted starting February 1, 2027. The program is competitive,with a limited number of spots available.

prospective students must fulfill specific criteria by the conclusion of the Spring semester of the application year to be eligible for consideration. The following provides an overview of the essential steps. For comprehensive information,candidates should consult the PTA Advising Guide.

1. College Admission
2. Required General Education and Prerequisite Coursework
   • All prerequisite courses must adhere to established timelines and minimum grade requirements. Spring courses that are in progress will be taken into account during the spring application cycle. EXSC 208 must be completed at LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE, as transfer credits will not be accepted.A point will be deducted for each retake of BIOL 110, HEAL 103, or EXSC 208; withdrawals will not impact scoring. For questions regarding transfer credits or substitutions, students should consult with their advisor and review DegreeWorks.

Notes: ¹Students with a previous degree might potentially be eligible for a general education waiver. Contact your advisor to discuss. ²BIOL 110 may require additional credits or course substitutions for transfer students. ³acceptable Humanities/Fine Arts courses (100-level or higher): Art,Communications,Foreign Language,Humanities,Music,ideology,Drama,200-level English courses,and select Honors courses (122,171,175,195,196,204,208,256,258).

3. GPA Requirements
   • 2.75 cumulative GPA (college coursework from the past 10 years)
   • 2.75 GPA in prerequisite courses (BIOL 110, HEAL 103, EXSC 208)
4. PTA Program Information Session
   • all applicants must attend a PTA Information Session within 18 months of applying.
   • Sessions are held on the second Tuesday of February, April, August, and October from 4-5 PM at the South Haven Campus (Room 220).
   • Students must register to attend; click here to register.
5. ATI TEAS Exam
   • must be taken within 2 years of the application deadline
   • No minimum score required; points awarded based on performance
   1. Prepare and register at ATI Testing
6. Observation hours
   • 20 hours of observation under a licensed PT/PTA, completed within 2 years of the deadline
   • May be completed in one setting; multiple settings encouraged
   • PT aide/tech experience with direct patient care qualifies toward this requirement
   • Verification form required
7. Direct Patient Care experience (Optional)
   • 100+ hours in a qualifying role such as PT Aide, CNA, Medical Assistant, etc.
   • Must involve direct patient care; administrative roles do not qualify
   • Verified experience adds 5 points to your application score
8. Program Application
   • Submit the separate PTA Program Application by the deadline

Admission Details

admission to the PTA program is selective and competitive. Each year, up to 18 students are accepted based on a point system that evaluates academic performance and completion of key requirements.

“Admission to the PTA program is selective and competitive.”

applicants are ranked on a 100-point scale, with points awarded for prerequisite GPA, cumulative GPA, TEAS score, and optional direct patient care experience. One point is deducted for each retake of the following prerequisite courses: BIOL 110,HEAL 103,and EXSC 208. For a detailed breakdown of selection criteria, refer to the PTA Advising Guide.

You may use the PTA Application Scoring Calculator to estimate your application score. Final scores are verified by the program upon review of all submitted documentation. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.