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Programs & Courses > Physical Therapist Assistant > Academic Preparedness

Physical Therapist Assistant Academic Preparedness

Information Last Updated: Oct. 22, 2025

Core Courses Begin:  Fall

Seats Available: 15

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Pre-Core Academic Preparedness Requirements

Complete these requirements to become eligible for a seat in core program courses.

Required Action

  1. Provide Proof of Residency to Registration & Records Department 
  2. Complete All Required Pre-Core Courses and Meet Minimum Grade Requirements 
  3. Complete Observation Hours
  4. Complete Kinesiology Modules
  5. Complete Testing and Meet Score Requirements 

All Pre-Core requirements must be met before a student is eligible for a seat in core program courses. 

Proof of Residency

Students are ordered on the waiting list based on their program admission date and residency. Residency is broken into three categories: in-district, out-of-district state, and out-of-state. Once you provide documentation of your residency, you cannot change your residency for waiting list purposes.

Once admitted to Blackhawk Technical College, provide proof of residency via one of these methods:

  • Showing address verification documents in person with the Registration & Records Department
  • Emailing address verification documents via Blackhawk email to registration@blackhawk.edu

Address verification will be allowed using one of the following documents:

  • State issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Operators License, or Identity Card)
  • Tax Return Document (Most Recent Filing)
  • Vehicle Registration Document
  • Bank Account Statement with Address
  • Voter Registration Documents

Courses Required Prior to Moving to Core Ready Status

All required courses will be subject to the College’s Course Age Limit policy. Course age is locked at the time a student becomes Core Ready and is not re-evaluated as long as they remain on the waiting list.

Course Name Credits Pre-requisite required Minimum grade
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
(806-179)		 4 General Anatomy and Physiology
- AND -
a Chemistry course 		B
English Composition I
(801-136)		 3 None C
General Anatomy & Physiology
(806-177)		 4 None B
Mathematical Reasoning (804-134)
- OR -
Intermediate Algebra with Applications (804-118)		 Mathematical Reasoning: 3
Intermediate Algebra with Applications: 4		 None Mathematical Reasoning: B
Intermediate Algebra with Applications: B
Speech
(801-198)		 3 None C

Observation Hours

Instructions and forms available once accepted to Blackhawk in the Blackboard organization titled Physical Therapist Assistant Pre-Core.

Student must complete at least 32 observation hours in the field of physical therapy.

  • At least 4 observation hours must be completed in an inpatient setting.
  • The Observation Verification Form (last page of this packet) must be signed by a licensed PT or PTA.
  • Observation in at least 2 different practice settings required.
  • Observation may be no older than 3 years at the time a student enters Core Ready status.

Kinesiology Modules

FOMA Prep for Kinesiology Modules are accessed through Blackboard. All 13 assessments must be completed and passed at 90% prior to applicant being deemed Core Ready.

  • Complete these modules during or after General Anatomy & Physiology
  • The modules are accessed in the Blackboard organization titled Physical Therapist Assistant Pre-Core

Note: Students are strongly encouraged to attend a PTA Info Session with the Program Director to learn more about the program and expectations. Dates and times of sessions are below.

Attend an Informational Meeting

Students wanting to enroll in this program should attend an informational meeting:

Testing Required Prior to Moving into Core Ready Status

All testing needs to be completed by the core ready deadline for students. It is recommended to complete all Pre-Core coursework prior to taking the test, as the course content will prepare you to be more successful. All testing must have been completed within the past 3 years for a student to move from Pre-Core to Core Ready.

Additional information on the HESI Admission Assessment and associated fees can be found at blackhawk.edu/Admissions/Placement-Testing.

Note: If you took the TEAS exam prior to February 7, 2025, provide your scores to Blackhawk for review to see if the HESI requirement can be waived.

HESI Test Minimum score
Composite 75%
A&P 75%
Grammar 75%
Math 75%
Reading Comprehension 75%
Vocabulary General Knowledge 75%
Critical Thinking 800

Core Ready

Core Ready means you have completed all the Pre-Core academic preparedness requirements and are waiting for a seat to become available in the program’s core courses.

General Education Courses - Required for Graduation

Students may take these courses during Pre-Core or Core Ready status. If not completed prior to becoming Core Active, students should meet with their advisor to determine the best time during the core program course structure to take the remaining general education courses. Courses are listed in their order of priority.

All required courses will be subject to the College’s Course Age Limit policy. Course age is locked at the time a student becomes Core Ready and is not re-evaluated as long as they remain on the waiting list.

NOTE: Students will need to complete additional tasks (e.g., background checks, immunizations, drug screening, etc.) after they are notified of an available seat in program’s core courses. Additional information will be provided by the program faculty once a seat is offered.

Course Name Credits Pre-requisite required Minimum grade
Introduction to Diversity Studies
(809-172)		 3 None C
Introduction to Psychology
(809-198)		 3 None C

Core Active

Core Active means you have been offered a seat in the program’s core courses. View Academic Plan