Physical Therapy and Clinical Laboratory Science

College of Health and Human Services
Dean: Don Taylor

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

Director: Linda Wanek
San Francisco State University

Director: Kimberly Topp
University of California, San Francisco

Graduate Coordinators: L. Wanek, K. Topp

Faculty

Professors—Byl, Hallum, Noble, Radtka, Topp, Wanek
Associate Professor—Allen
Assistant Professor—Rossi
Assistant Clinical Professors (UCSF/SF State)—Galvan, Jaramillo
Lecturers—Andrade, Carlisle, Galvan, Niklewicz, Sokolski, Scates, Ho-Tran, Smoot

Programs

D.P.T. (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
D.P.T.Sc. (Doctor of Physical Therapy Science)

Clinical Laboratory Science Internship Program
SCI 202
415-338-2332
Fax: 415-338-7747

Program Director: Geraldine Albee
Associate Director: Vera Rogers

Faculty

Lecturers—Albee, Rogers, Kouyoumdjian, Nusrat, Scott, Haas,Torio

Program

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science

Physical Therapy Program Scope

Physical Therapy degrees are offered jointly with the University of California, San Francisco.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
Students planning to become a physical therapist apply to the Entry Level DPT Program. This is a 3 year program (36 months) including 32 weeks of full time clinical affiliations. The DPT Program is accredited by the APTA Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. It has also been approved by the University of California, California State University, California Post-Secondary Education Committee (CPEC) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

This program is designed to prepare scholarly clinicians, educators, collaborative clinical researchers, administrative managers and community leaders. The program accepts 28-34 students and requires 36 months of study (including summers). The curriculum is built on a strong theoretical foundation in basic, medical and applied sciences. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning are woven into all aspects of the program and creative problem solving skills are developed to work with patients to mitigate disability, optimize function and maintain positive health.

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. Graduates are well prepared to pass the State Licensing Examination and are considered top applicants for positions in a variety of physical therapy venues. Graduates are well prepared to pass the State Licensing Examination and are considered top applicants for positions in a variety of physical therapy venues.

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.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Science
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Science degree prepares physical therapists for 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 36-48 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 therapist educators is excellent with opportunities for graduates to work in academic settings and/or research medical centers.

ENTRY LEVEL DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT)

Admission Requirements to Program

Twenty-eight to thirty-four students are admitted to the DPT program each June. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet all general admissions requirements for graduate study at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Although any undergraduate major is acceptable, for students in the initial stages of undergraduate preparation, a major in kinesiology or the biological sciences tends to be the most direct route into a physical therapy program. All applicants must have completed the program prerequisites before entry. Students taking combined anatomy/physiology courses must complete two semester or three quarters of work. Applicants without a strong science background should take additional science courses to demonstrate an ability to succeed in science-based course work.

To be eligible for admission consideration, students must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Meet the Graduate School requirements of the University of California and the California State University. More specifically, students must have an overall baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or above.
• A 3.0 GPA or above in college course work in the basic sciences including the prerequisites specified above.
• Submit Graduate Record Examination scores. Scores must be no more than five years old. A total score of 1000 (verbal and quantitative), with a minimum of 450 on verbal, and a score of 4.5 in the writing (analytical) section is required. Scores are due by October 15 of the year the application is submitted.
• 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.
• Supply three strong letters of recommendation regarding potential to complete the program and personal compatibility with physical therapy as a profession. At least one letter must be from a physical therapist.

Application Process

Students must submit TWO applications, which are submitted separately, but in parallel. Application materials consist of: 1) The Centralized Physical Therapy Application and 2) The UCSF Supplemental Physical Therapy Application. Both applications are acessible at UCSF P.T. Website at https://graduate.ucsf.edu/application/apply/eldpt/ for application instructions. The deadline for BOTH applications is OCTOBER 1ST (midnight, EST) of the year prior to desired entry (i.e. by October, 2010 for admission in June, 2011).

Following preliminary evaluation, 60–80 applicants will be invited to interview. Students who are offered an interview are required to mail their official transcripts for their SF State application to the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy office at SF State. Following an interview and an assessment of writing skills, 28-34 students will be accepted for admission to the physical therapy program. Once accepted into the program, students will then complete an online application for admission to SF State.

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 the culminating experience project during the student's final year in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination during the second year of the DPT degree program.

Culminating Experience

Students research and write an in-depth patient case report or an evidence based review of a clinical problem following the criteria established in PT 910 and PT 920 courses. The manuscripts must be prepared in a publication-ready journal format as well as presented orally to an audience of faculty and peers.

Doctor of Physical Therapy 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.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY SCIENCE (DPTSc)

Admission to Program

This program is designed for licensed, experienced physical therapist clinicians who are interested in academic teaching and clinical research. Although it is not necessary to have a master’s degree to apply, students without a master’s degree may need to take additional coursework to bring their knowledge base to the equivalency of the current master’s level of study in physical therapy (e.g. Radiology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience). One to four students are admitted to the program each year. Applicants must:

• Hold a degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution
• Meet the Graduate School requirements of the University of California and the California State University. More specifically, students must have an overall baccalaureate or masters degree GPA of 3.0 or above
• Submit Graduate Record Examination scores. Scores must be no more than five years old. A total score of 1000 (verbal and quantitative), with a minimum of 450 on verbal, and a score of 4.5 in the writing (analytical) section is required. Scores are due by the April prior to the expected fall admission period
• Be licensed or eligible for licensure in California.

Application Process

Students must submit applications by April 2010 for entering class of Fall 2010. Online application materials will be available from January 4^th to April 1^st to download from the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site at https://graduate.ucsf.edu/application/apply/dptsc/start.html for application instructions. All initial application materials must be submitted to UCSF.

On receipt of all application materials, students may be asked for an interview, review of research interest compatibility with faculty. Students accepted for admission to the DPTSc program are then required to apply online to SF State.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must complete the GRE Analytical Writing Section with a score of 4.5 to meet the first level of proficiency in written English as a condition of admission to the DPTSc program. The second level of writing proficiency is met with the culminating experience of an original research project that consists of a manuscript suitable for publication and an oral defense of the research.

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, preparation of a written research proposal, and a comprehensive oral qualifying examination.

Culminating Experience

Students develop 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

The DPTSc program is designed to allow students to select courses, under advisement, in their area of interest. Students must complete 15 units in their 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 throughout the program until completion of their research requirement. All students serve as teaching assistants in the classroom situation and in the clinic.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

Advisors—Albee, Rogers, Scott

Program Scope

The SF State Clinical Laboratory Internship Certificate program (CLS) provides students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to work in hospitals, clinics, or biomedical research environments. The program prepares students at the post-baccalaureate level to sit for licensure as Clinical Laboratory Scientists. In addition, the program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and meets the educational standards required for licensure as a CLS by the California State Department of Health, Laboratory Field Services (LFS). The program seeks to develop critical thinking skills for clinical and administrative decision making in the complex and ever-changing healthcare environment.

Career Outlook

Clinical laboratory scientists are employed in healthcare settings such as medical laboratories within large medical centers, community hospitals, public health, clinics and private industry. Excellent employment opportunities exist in research and development, medical informational technology, laboratory administration and education.

Admission to Program

Requirements are:

• Earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university (Students with international degrees should arrange for an appointment with Associate Director of Admissions, Noah Price – nprice@sfsu.edu to determine eligibility).
• Overall GPA of at least 3.0 or GPA of at least 3.0 in last 60 units (90 quarter) (3.0 GPA)
• A score of 4 or better on a proctored writing examination administered prior to admission or for international students, at least 80 on the internet-based TOEFL, or a 550 on the paper-based test with a Test of Written English (TWE) of at least 4.
• Science course preparation to include courses in hematology, immunology, medical microbiology, quantitative chemistry analysis, biochemistry, physics, and college-level mathematics) Students with a SF State bachelor of science degree in Clinical Science or the equivalent meet these standards.
• Eligiblity for aTrainee license from the State of California Department of Health, Laboratory Field Services;
• Completion of the application form, which includes three letters of reference; and
• Interview at SF State.

Curriculum

The CLS program consists of (1) a 16-week semester of didactic and laboratory work and (2) a 40-week off-campus internship at affiliated clinical laboratory sites. Students enroll for 16 units for the pre-clinical semester. For the 40-week off-campus portion, students enroll in a combination of regular university sessions and special sessions through the College of Extended Learning.

English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students complete a proctored essay at the time of their application interview. If necessary, remediation will be fulfilled by successful completion of SCI 614 or equivalent course.
Level Two: Successful completion of a series of written professional reports as required for a leadership role in professional environments: CLS 706.