Graduates of the Central Methodist University physical therapy assistant (PTA) associate degree program have achieved a perfect first-time pass rate on their licensure exam for the first time in program history. The 2024 cohort of PTA students became the third in a row to achieve a 100 percent pass rate.
Dr. Megan Roemer, PTA program director, emphasized the importance of the first-time pass rate for the students, as they all were able to become licensed PTAs while in or shortly after graduating the program. This achievement is not only an important one to the students, but it’s yet another example of the excellence the program is determined to pursue.
“The program students and graduates are doing really well,” said Roemer. “We continue to make changes that encourage student success with a rigorous curriculum.”
Roemer says that she and PTA clinical director Josh Nickell have been constantly working to keep the program current with changes happening to the national licensure exam and clinical practice for the students. With the small cohort sizes, the faculty is able to make sure that clinical placements are tailored to each student’s needs and wants, and everyone is given individualized attention throughout their studies.
“They get considerable one-on-one attention from us,” Roemer said of the PTA students under her watch. “They’re not slipping through the cracks, for sure, because we’re on top of every one of them.”
In addition to a fully-engaged faculty, the PTA program boasts state-of-the-art lab facilities and critically relevant equipment, which is updated often with changing technology. PTA students also get to participate in interdisciplinary collaborations with the nursing, athletic training, and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) departments, all sharing knowledge and experience across the disciplines.
“We are also out in the community,” said Roemer. “The students get to participate in community education in the school districts and at the senior center. And the faculty and students are engaged in political activism for the profession, talking to legislators about what may help or hurt the PT profession.”
With all these advantages and experiences available to the Central PTA student, it’s no wonder employers are eager to hire the graduates as soon as they pass the licensure exam.
“I have recruiters all the time asking me to let my students know about job opportunities, and there are lots of different possible settings for our graduates: inpatient, outpatient, schools, and more” Roemer said, adding, “[Our graduates] get a really good starting salary, especially for a two-year associate’s degree program. They can get in and out and be able to start making a really good living.”
CMU also offers varying degree options, including the 2+2 option for those wishing to major in both PTA and OTA and a 2+1+2 for those looking to major in both PTA and athletic training.
To find out more about Central’s PTA program, its options, and all it can offer, visit https://www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/undergraduate/physical-therapist-assistant/index.html