You are in the official 1999-2000 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physical Therapy
Fall Admissions
to Master of Physical Therapy Graduate Program
The program admission process begins a year prior to planned entry into
the Physical Therapy Program.
Physical Therapy Applications are available: September 1
Physical Therapy Application Filing Period: October 1 through October
31
A complete application includes an information form, an official transcript
from each institution attended including previous spring and summer terms,
observation documentation, and letters of reference. Late transcripts or
documentation will result in not being considered. Follow program application
instructions.
The following admissions criteria are reviewed by the screening committee:
- The program applicant must be enrolled at California State University, Fresno or an admitted applicant to the university for the spring term or on an approved leave of absence. Fresno State applicants with all prerequisites completed, including lower and upper division, and no additional General Education requirements should apply to the university no later than the end of October for the fall term of program entry.
- 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 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
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
The following courses are the only prerequisites allowed to be taken during the spring term prior to admission to the program.
UPPER DIVISION
PSYCH 166 (Abnormal Psychology)
PHYAN 130 (Neuroanatomy)
PHYAN 140 (Neurophysiology)
PH TH 110 (Patient Advocacy for Health Practitioners)
Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, and Patient Advocacy for Health Practitioners must be taken at California State University, Fresno.
- A grade of C or better in each prerequisite and a total prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required. An overall GPA of 2.5 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.
- Completion of General Education requirements by May prior to admission to the program.
- Evidence of knowledge of physical therapy through employment, volunteering, 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 super vision of a licensed physical therapist.
- Participation 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.
Recommended foundation courses are high school chemistry, physics, algebra,
geometry, and biology. Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee acceptance
in to 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.
Notes: California residents are given preference over out-of-state
and international students as long as the department is on impacted status.
For department application or admission information, write to the following
address and enclose a self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelope:
Admissions:
Physical Therapy Department
School of Health and Social Work
California State University, Fresno
2345 E. San Ramon Ave. M/S 29
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.
Master of Physical Therapy
The master's program currently takes six semesters of full-time study. The program is designed to educate students to become physical therapists in a variety of settings, e.g., private practice, home health, and extended care. The department philosophy focuses on decision analyses processes in patient intervention. It encourages self-discipline and individual self-assessment for planning for continued professional growth.
Candidates for the Master of Physical Therapy must successfully complete
all department prerequisites and complete the baccalaureate major requirement
to be considered for selection into the master's degree curriculum.
Master of Physical Therapy Degree Requirements
Prerequisites (87 units)
Natural Sciences (19 units)
CHEM 1A, 1B or 3A, 3B; PHYS 2A, 2B; H S 92
Biological Sciences (27 units)
PHYAN 64, 65, 130, 140; PH TH 125, 126, 127, 128
Behavioral Sciences (13 units)
PSYCH 10, 166; PH TH 110, 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 (40 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 (5 units)
PH TH 240-249
Comprehensive Examination
Postgraduate Internship Certification requirements (12 units)
PH TH 275 (see note 3 )
Total (139 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.
Classified Graduate Standing. The Master of Physical Therapy degree
program is open to all college graduates with a Bachelor of Science 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.
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.
The following criteria must be met by the applicant to be considered for
classification in the graduate program:
- Complete all general prerequisites with an overall GPA of 3.0 and baccalaureate major requirements with a minimum grade of C in each course.
- Earn an overall GPA of 2.5 on 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.
Advancement to Candidacy Requirements:
- classified graduate student status
- earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all graduate coursework
- obtain approval from the faculty to take the department's comprehensive written or oral examination
