Physical Therapy

College of Health and Human Services
Interim Dean: Don Taylor

Physical Therapy Program
GYM 105
415-338-2001
Fax: 415-338-0907
E-mail: gppt@sfsu.edu  
Web Site: http://itsa.ucsf.edu/~ptprog/

Director: Linda Wanek
San Francisco State Program

Director, Joint Graduate Program: Nancy Byl
University of California, San Francisco

Program Director: N. Byl, 1318 7th Avenue

Graduate Coordinators: L. Wanek, N. Byl

Faculty

Professors—Byl, Hallum

Associate Professors—Radtka, Topp, Wanek

Assistant Professor—Edwards

Associate Clinical Professors—Arriaga, Richards

Assistant Clinical Professor—Galvan

Program

M.S. in Physical Therapy
Certificate in Clinical Competence in Physical Therapy
D.P.T. (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
D.P.T.Sc. (Doctor of Physical Therapy Science)

Program Scope

Master of Science in Physical Therapy

The entry-level graduate program in physical therapy leads to the Master of Science in Physical Therapy and prepares the student to sit for licensure as a physical therapist. This degree is offered jointly with the School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. The curriculum prepares scholarly clinicians who can assume leadership roles as physical therapy clinicians, clinical educators, clinical researchers, and managers. The program emphasizes a strong theoretical foundation in basic, medical, and applied sciences with the application of creative problem solving to mitigate disability, optimize function, and maintain positive health. The 27-month program (including summer semesters) consists of 66 semester units of academic course work, laboratory studies, clinical clerkships, and participation in research projects. Students must pass a patient problem-related comprehensive examination during their final semester. Courses are held at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Clinical clerkships occur at affiliated agencies throughout California but are primarily located in the northern and central regions of the state.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Following completion of a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and California licensure as a physical therapist, students may apply for admittance to a final year of study that culminates in the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, a post-professional clinical doctorate. This degree expands the knowledge, competency, and scientific basis of the practice of physical therapy graduates, preparing them to assume increased responsibilities and leadership in the rehabilitation of patients with challenging movement impairments that interfere with independence and quality of life. This program has 51 quarter (34 semester) units and is offered jointly with the University of California, San Francisco. Courses are held at both San Francisco State University and at the University of California, San Francisco.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Science

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Science degree prepares physical therapists for positions in academic and/or clinical research settings. This degree is offered jointly with the School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. The curriculum prepares scholars who can assume leadership roles as physical therapy educators, basic science, or clinical researchers. The program emphasizes a strong theoretical foundation in which to develop clinical research skills. The 24-48 month program (including summer semesters) consists of academic course work, laboratory studies, teaching practica, and participation in original research. Courses are held at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Course work and research opportunities make full use of the expertise available at these two campuses.

Career Outlook

The career outlook for physical therapists is very good with graduates employed in acute and rehabilitation hospitals, private practice, outpatient clinics, schools, community agencies, and academic programs.

The career outlook for physical therapist educators is excellent with opportunities for graduates to work in academic settings and/or research medical centers.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

Admission to Program

Twenty-eight to thirty-two students are admitted to the program each June. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and meet all general admissions requirements for graduate study at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Any major is acceptable providing the applicant has completed the following program prerequisites before entry. Survey chemistry and physics courses are not acceptable. Separate anatomy and physiology courses are preferred. Students who do not have a strong science background should take additional science courses to demonstrate an ability to succeed in science-based course work. Students at SFSU are advised to take PT 300 when entering the junior year.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also:

• Have at least a 3.0 grade point average in baccalaureate studies and in overall college course work in the basic sciences including the prerequisites specified above.
• Be able to demonstrate understanding of the work and profession of physical therapy, gained through paid or volunteer experience (minimum of 150 hours) in a variety of settings under the supervision of a physical therapist.
• Submit Graduate Record Examination scores. These must be no more than five years old. If GRE was taken prior to October 2002, a minimum total score of 1500 on verbal, quantitative, and analytical, with a minimum of 450 on verbal is required. After October 2002, a total score of 1000 (verbal and quantitative), with a minimum of 450 on verbal, and a score of 4.5 in the writing section is required. Scores are due by November 30 of the year the application is submitted.
• Supply three strong letters of recommendation regarding potential to complete the program and personal compatibility with physical therapy as a profession.

Application Process

Students must submit applications postmarked by November 1 of the year prior to desired entry (i.e., by November, 2005 for admission in June, 2006). Application materials are available to download from the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site. The initial application materials must be submitted to UCSF.

Following preliminary evaluation, 80–100 applicants will be invited to interview. Students who are offered an interview will be required to submit SFSU application materials at the time of the interview. Those materials will be provided to each student prior to interview time. Following an interview and an assessment of writing skills, 28-32 students will be accepted for admission to the physical therapy program.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must meet the first level of proficiency in written English as a condition of admission to the physical therapy program. Students must complete the GRE analytical writing section prior to enrollment. Evaluation of writing skills are also based upon an essay written at the time of the applicant's scheduled interview. The second level of written English proficiency is demonstrated through papers and manuscripts prepared during the student's final semester in the M.S. program and a written comprehensive examination.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students may be considered for advancement to candidacy for the Master of Science in Physical Therapy after completing the equivalent of 30 semester units, and following the adviser's approval of the student's proposed courses for an area of emphasis. The student may then formally request advancement to candidacy by filing a Graduate Approved Program.

Culminating Experience

Students will participate in a research project guided by a faculty member and complete a proposal and manuscript on one aspect of that research. As a culminating experience, students must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination.

Program Course Work

Courses shown with quarter-unit values are taken at the University of California, San Francisco. Courses shown with semester-unit values are assigned to San Francisco State University. At San Francisco State University, courses numbering 700 or higher are graduate courses. At the University of California, San Francisco, courses with numbers between 100 and 199 are at the upper division level; courses with numbers between 200 and 399 are graduate courses.

CERTIFICATE IN CLINICAL COMPETENCE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

General Information

Students enrolled in the graduate program in physical therapy are required to complete a 24-unit Certificate of Clinical Competence prior to receiving the Master of Science in Physical Therapy. This certificate is also required prior to applying for the physical therapy licensing examination.

Clerkships are 40 hours per week during the second and third summers. These 24 units are in addition to the 66 units required for the M.S. in Physical Therapy. Completion of PT 801, PT 802, and PT 803 leads to the Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Admission Requirements

Students must successfully complete the first year of course work in the graduate program in physical therapy prior to beginning the certificate program.

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Admission to Program

Up to thirty-two students are admitted to the DPT each September. Applicants must hold a master's degree in physical therapy from an accredited program and hold a California license to practice physical therapy or be a licensed applicant to take the examination. Students who successfully completed the Master of Science in Physical Therapy in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy (final GPA of 3.0 or better, 80% or more on the comprehensive examination, satisfactory completion of the 24-unit Certificate of Clinical Competence), were not on multiple semesters of probation for academic or professional behavior reasons during their MS in PT program, and have met the licensure requirement are automatically eligible for the DPT year of study.

Culminating Experience

Students research and write an in-depth patient case study following the guidelines of evidence-based practice and physical diagnosis. The case study must be prepared in a manuscript-ready format as well as presented orally to an audience of faculty and peers.

Program Course Work

Courses shown with quarter-unit values are taken at the University of California, San Francisco. Courses shown with semester-unit values are taken at San Francisco State University.

Program Self-support Fee

The DPT year is offered as a self-support year and therefore, additional fees apply. Please refer to the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site or contact the graduate program office for updated information.

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY SCIENCE

Admission to Program

Four to eight students are admitted to the program each September. Applicants must hold a degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution; meet all general admission requirements for graduate study at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco; and be eligible for licensure in California.

Application Process

Students must submit applications by February 15. Application materials are available to download from the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site. The initial application materials must be submitted to UCSF.

Students who are offered an interview are required to submit SFSU application materials at the time of the interview. Following an interview, research interest compatibility, and the assessment of all application materials, students are accepted for admission to the doctoral program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are considered for advancement to candidacy for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Science after completing course work in one's area of emphasis, teaching practica, and a comprehensive written and oral qualifying examination.

Culminating Experience

Students participate in an original research project guided by a faculty member. The student completes an oral defense of the research and writes a manuscript suitable for publication.

Program

Students complete fifteen units in an area of emphasis, a minimum of two statistics courses, two semesters of teaching practicum, grand rounds, and the doctoral colloquia. Students also take Directed Research in the completion of their research requirement. All students serve as teaching assistants in the classroom situation and in the clinic. All students are required to pass an oral qualifying examination.