You are in the official 2000-2001 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy Graduate Program
The program admission process begins a year prior to planned entry into the Physical Therapy Program.
Admission to the university for postbaccalaureate students occurs in two phases: admission to the university and admission to the Division of Graduate Studies for Physical Therapy. Acceptance to the university does not guarantee admission to graduate studies. Only those students who are admitted to both the university and to graduate studies as physical therapy graduate students will be granted graduate student standing in the M.P.T. program. (Review Graduate Studies section in this catalog for graduate admissions).
Students with a bachelor's degree are eligible for unclassified postbaccalaureate status while completing prerequisite coursework.
Physical Therapy Applications are available: June 1
Physical Therapy Application Filing Period: September 1 through November 30
A complete application includes an information application, an official transcript from each institution attended including previous spring and summer terms, observation verification, and letters of reference. Late transcripts or documentation will result in not being considered. Follow program application instructions.
The screening committee reviews the following admission criteria:
- Complete all prerequisites as listed. The applicant must have completed
or must be currently enrolled in the following lower-division courses at
time of application. All lower-division courses must be completed by the
end of the fall semester prior to admission to the program.
LOWER DIVISION
Anatomy
Fresno State: PHYAN 64, 65
Transfer: Human anatomy with lab and human physiology with lab
Chemistry
Fresno State: CHEM 3A, 3B or CHEM 1A, 1B
Transfer: Inorganic and organic or biochemistry with labs
Psychology
Fresno State: PSYCH 10
Transfer: General psychology
Physics
Fresno State: PHYS 2A, 2B
Transfer: Physics with lab including mechanics, heat, light, sound, and electricity
Statistics
Fresno State: H S 92
Transfer: Introduction to basic statistics
UPPER DIVISION
PSYCH 166 (Abnormal Psychology)
PSYCH 169 (Psychology of Disability)
PHYAN 130 (Neuroanatomy)
PHYAN 140 (Neurophysiology)
- Only upper-division prerequisite courses may be completed during the spring term prior to admission to the program. It is highly recommended that the students complete Neuroanatomy (PHYAN 130) and Neurophysiology (PHYAN 140) prior to admission to the program. Outstanding applicants may be considered for admission with PHYAN 130 and 140 pending with the condition that they must be completed with a C or better during the first year of the program.
- A grade of C or better in each prerequisite and a total prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required. An overall GPA of 2.5on the last 60 units completed is required. CR/NC grades, correspondence courses or independent study courses cannot be used for prerequisite requirements. Only those prerequisite courses completed by the end of the fall semester in which application is made will be counted toward ranking of candidates for selection into the major.
- Provide evidence of knowledge of physical therapy through employment, volunteer work, or observation in a physical therapy department for a minimum of 100 hours. Fifty hours must be in a general acute care setting; 50 hours may be in a special area of practice. All observation hours must be under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
- Participate in a personal interview.
- Final transcripts from institutions other than Fresno State must be submitted as soon as grades are posted. Request transcripts prior to the end of the term.
Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the major.
Students transferring from community colleges and other colleges or universities who meet the above criteria are considered on the same basis as California State University, Fresno students applying for admission to the major.
For department application or admission information, write to the following
address and enclose a self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelope:
Admissions:
Physical Therapy Department
College of Health and Human Services
California State University, Fresno
2345 E. San Ramon Ave. M/S MH29
Fresno, CA 93740-8031
Criteria for retention and progression in the program include a grade of
C or better in each physical therapy course, and completion
of all courses in the major.
Students must carry malpractice insurance, must purchase an appropriate
laboratory coat, and must provide their own transportation to hospitals
and clinics for off-campus classes and clinical laboratories. Additional
laboratory fees may be required. Students must also provide for all expenses
while taking the postbaccalaureate clinical internship. Expenses include
student fees, housing, meals, and travel.
Requirements for the
Master of Physical Therapy
Core Requirements 45 units)
Biological Sciences (13 units): PH TH 125, 126, 127, 128
Behavioral Sciences (3 units): PH TH 142
Clinical Sciences (see note 1) (28 units): PH TH 120, 121, 123, 124,
130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 151, 152
M.P.T. Degree requirements (41 units)
Core (see note 2 ) (35 units): PH TH 200, 201, 203, 204, 221, 222, 223,
226, 231, 232, 251, 252, 253, 292A, 292B
Electives (6 units): PH TH 240-249
Comprehensive Examination
Postgraduate Internship Certification requirements (12 units)
PH TH 275 (see note 3)
Total (98 units)
- Open only to students who have been admitted into the physical therapy major.
- PH TH 251, 252, 253 advanced practicum and PH TH 275 postgraduate internship are conducted in a variety of clinical facilities through out the state. Students must provide for all expenses including housing, meals, and travel. These courses are offered CR /NC only.
- PH TH 275 must be completed to be eligible to take the state examination for licensure.
The Master of Physical Therapy program is open to all college graduates
with a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy or other disciplines who have
met prerequisite requirements and show intellectual promise and ability
to perform at a satisfactory level during their graduate studies. Candidates
for the M.P.T. must have the equivalent to an undergraduate degree in physical
therapy or remove deficiencies to be determined based on academic preparation.
Successful completion of all prerequisites and baccalaureate major requirements
is required to be considered for selection into the master's degree program.
Students with a bachelor's degree are eligible for unclassified postbaccalaureate
status with a prephysical therapy major, while completing prerequisite coursework.
Classified Graduate Standing. The applicant to be considered for
classification in the graduate program must meet the following criteria:
- Complete all prerequisite coursework with an overall GPA of 3.0 and a C or better in every course.
- Earn an overall GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 units completed.
- Receive a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam. Students are encouraged to take the GRE early to avoid delays in acceptance for graduate work.
- Have received or be eligible to receive a bachelor's degree in physical therapy or related field of study.
- Submit a department application. See baccalaureate admissions criteria for additional information and deadlines.
- Be recommended by the physical therapy faculty.
A culminating experience is required of all Fresno State master's degree candidates. Students in physical therapy satisfy the requirement through a written and/or an oral examination.
Advancement to Candidacy Requirements:
- classified graduate student status
- earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all program coursework and a C or better in every course
- obtain approval from the faculty to take the department's comprehensive written or oral examination
