Policy Statement - 11-11 Doctor of Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy (code PT__PH01)

This new program was recommended by the Academic Senate on May 12, 2011,
approved by the president on July 19, 2011,

approved by the Office of the Chancellor on July 25, 2011,and approved by WASC on January 10, 2012

 The program is designed to prepare the student for entry-level doctoral practice as a physical therapist.  Graduates are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers and private physical therapy clinics.  The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is open to all college graduates who have met prerequisite requirements and demonstrate sufficient preparation, potential for professional education and ability to perform the essential functions needed to practice as a physical therapist as determined by physical therapy faculty review of admission documents.  Admission shall be granted on a competitive basis; meeting the admission requirements qualifies an individual for, but does not guarantee admission to the program. 

Admission Requirements

1. Complete the university application to be admitted with graduate standing by the deadline of December 30 and complete the PTCAS application by the application deadline November 1 for summer admission the following year.

2. Submit to the university and PTCAS results of the General Aptitude Section of the Graduate Record Examination (quantitative, verbal, and analytical), taken within the past 5 years, and have earned at least a 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Component Score of the examination.

3. Provide PTCAS with three letters of recommendation attesting to the potential for success as a physical therapist and/or the scholarly potential of the applicant;

• At least one letter must be from a physical therapist with whom the applicant had a professional association, and

• One from a professor for a prerequisite course which the applicant completed. 

• If the applicant previously has been employed, the third letter should be from an employer. 

• If  the applicant previously has not been employed, the third letter should be from a physical therapist with whom the applicant had a professional association.

4. Provide documentation  of knowledge of physical therapy through a minimum of 100 documented hours of paid or volunteer experience under the direct supervision of a licensed physical  therapist;  and

5. Provide a written statement of purpose reflecting the applicant's commitment to physical therapy.

6. Meet prerequisite requirements.

 

 Prerequisites

1. Hold, or be eligible to hold, an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by an appropriate campus authority, by the end of the spring semester prior to admission to the program.

2. Have attained a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A=4.0) with at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted,3. Have been in good academic, professional, and clinical standing at the last institution and if applicable in the last entry-level physical therapist educational program attended,

4. Successfully have completed the following courses with a minimum of "C" and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 by the end of the fall semester prior to the year of admission to the program. No course may be repeated more than once and no more than 3 prerequisite courses may be repeated. CR/NC grades, correspondence courses, or independent study courses cannot  be used for prerequisite requirements.Only 2 classes may be in progress during the fall semester of application.

 

Natural Sciences: 

Take all of the following courses:

CHEM 111A General Chemistry (5)

CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)

PHYS 100A General Physics (4)

PHYS 100B General Physics (4)

 

Biological Sciences: 

Take all of the following courses:

BIOL 208 Human anatomy (4)

BIOL 211 Introduction to Evolution and Diversity (4)

BIOL 212 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (4)                                                     

 

Take either the following courses:

BIOL 207 Human Physiology (4)

Or

BIOL 213 Introduction to Ecology and Physiology (4)

                           

Biostatistics:

Take the following:

BIOL 260 Biostatistics (3) (preferred)

 

Behavioral Sciences:

Take the following:

PSY 100 General Psychology (3)

Admission shall be granted on a competitive basis; meeting the admission requirements qualifies an individual for, but does not guarantee admission to the program.

 Retention

1. Maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average in all graduate work completed.

2. Make continuous satisfactory progress toward the degree objective. 

Advancement to Candidacy

1. Satisfy the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy.

2. Obtain classified status.

3. Have earned a minimum 3.0 grade-point average in all program graduate work as well as a minimum overall 3.0 in all graduate work attempted.

4. Fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by earning a 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Component Score of the GRE.

5. Complete a minimum of one semester (fall session) of graduate level coursework in the program.

6. Be enrolled during the term in which advancement to candidacy takes place.

7. Obtain approval for one's individual program plan from a faculty Doctoral Project sponsor, the Graduate Advisor and the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.  

 Qualifying Assessment

1. Successful completion of the Doctoral Project Proposal Paper and Oral Presentation.

2. Advancement to candidacy.

3. Good standing in the clinical education program (beginner status on clinical Performance Instrument [CPI] for D.P.T. 781).

4. Demonstration of adherence to the essential physical, emotional and professional practice expectations of a physical therapist in the classroom and clinic (entry level on CPI skills 1 and 2 for D.P. T 781, acceptable practice in D.P.T. 731, 733 and 741) .

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program is a 113-unit, three year, full-time cohort program including summer sessions that includes an internship of 12 units.

 Core Coursework

Take all of the following courses:

DPT 701 Anatomy for Physical Therapy I (3)

DPT 702 Anatomy for Physical Therapy II (3)

DPT 703 Neuroanatomy (3) DPT 704 Tissue Mechanics (2)

DPT 705 Biomechanical Principles (3) DPT 706 Physiology for Therapists (6)

DPT 707 Physical Therapy across the Life Span (2)DPT 708 Motor learning and Motor Control (2)

DPT 709 Exercise Science for Physical Therapy (3) DPT 710 Pathology for Physical Therapy (3)          

DPT 720 Professional Interactions (3) DPT 721 Professional Practice Issues (2)

DPT 722 Critical Thinking for Physical Therapy (1)

DPT 731 Physical Therapy Principles of Acute Care (2)

DPT 732 Examination of Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders (3)

DPT 733 Interventions for Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders (4)

DPT 734 Advanced Management of Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders (2)

DPT 735 Normal and Pathological Gait (2)

DPT 736 Management of Individuals with Orthotic and Prosthetic Needs (2)

DPT 740 Evaluation of Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders (2)

DPT 741 Intervention for the Individual with Neuromuscular Disorders I (2)

DPT 742 Intervention for the Individual with Neuromuscular Disorders II (1)

DPT 743 Electroneuromyographic Management I (2)

DPT 744 Electroneuromyographic Management II (2)

DPT 745 Management of the Pediatric Population (2)        

DPT 746 Advanced Management of Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders (1)

DPT 750 Imaging for Physical Therapists (2)        

DPT 751 Pharmacology for Physical Therapists (2)            

DPT 752 Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists (2)              

DPT 760 Management of Individuals with Cardiopulmonary Disorders (3)   

DPT 765 Management of Individuals with Integumentary Disorders (2)

DPT 766 Prevention and Wellness (2)

DPT 767 Management of the Geriatric Population (3)

DPT 768 Clinical Pathophysiology (3)

DPT 769 Advanced Management of Individuals with Cardiopulmonary Disorders (1)

DPT 770 Health Care Delivery I (2)

DPT 771 Health Care Delivery II (2)

DPT 781 Clinical Practice I (3)

DPT 782 Neuromusculoskeletal Practice I (1)

DPT 783 Neuromusculoskeletal Practice II (1)

DPT 784 Clinical Practice II (3)

DPT 796 Research Methods (2)

 

Take a total of 6 units of each of the following:

DPT 785 Clinical Internship I (3)

DPT 786 Clinical Internship II (3)

 

Take a total of 4 units of the following:

DPT 797 Doctoral Project (1-4) 

               

 Requirements for Clinical Coursework

Criminal background check, health insurance, titers and immunizations, medical clearance, malpractice insurance, CPR certification (lifesaving course with lab), and adhering to the department essential functions are required for clinical coursework. 

 

Admittance to Clinical Internship

1. Successfully complete the comprehensive examination.

2. Successfully complete  4 units of a Doctoral Project (DPT 797)

 

EFFECTIVE: Summer 2012

 

Campus Code:  PT__PH01

College:  15

Career:  GR

CSU Code:  12122

CIP Code:  51.2308