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Prospective Student FAQs

General Physical Therapy Questions

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) - Doctor of Physical Therapy DPT) Program Questions

GRE Exam Questions

Q. What is Physical Therapy?

A. Physical therapists, or PTs, are health care professionals who evaluate and treat people with health problems resulting from injury, disease, or biomechanical dysfunction. Physical therapists are integral members of the primary care team and are involved in prevention of disability and promotion of positive health. They are also acting consultants in restorative care.

Physical Therapy practice today is based on well-developed body of scientific and clinical knowledge. Physical therapists apply knowledge from the basic, behavioral, and social sciences. Physical therapists must also demonstrate effective communication skills. Insight and sensitivity to the unique needs of diverse populations are essential to effectively maximize the individual's functional potential in society.

Physical Therapy includes the following:

  1. Examining and evaluating patients with health-related conditions, impairments, functional limitations, and disability in order to determine diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention;
  2. Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions;
  3. Preventing injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability while promoting and maintaining fitness, health, and quality of life in all age populations; and
  4. Engaging in consultation, education, and research.

Q. What are the educational requirements for becoming a Physical Therapist (PT)?

A. The minimum educational requirement is a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited education program. While some programs offer a master's degree, a growing majority of programs offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Currently, 199 colleges and universities nationwide support 212 accredited professional physical therapist education programs; 96% now offer the DPT and the remaining programs are planning to convert. (Source: American Physical Therapy Association,www.apta.org)
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Q. What are the licensure requirements for becoming a PT?

A. After graduation, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. Other requirements for Physical Therapy practice vary from state to state according to Physical Therapy practice acts or state regulations governing Physical Therapy. (Source: American Physical Therapy Association,www.apta.org)

Q. What is the employment outlook for Physical Therapy?

A. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), with just a 0.2 percent unemployment rate, physical therapists are now experiencing the best employment conditions since enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. (Source: American Physical Therapy Association, www.apta.org)

Q. What do physical therapist earn?

A. More than 175,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S. today. The median salary for a physical therapist is $80,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting. (Source: American Physical Therapy Association,www.apta.org)
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Q. Where do physical therapists practice?

A. Although many physical therapists practice in hospitals, nearly 80 percent practice in:

  • Outpatient clinics or offices
  • Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
  • Skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities
  • Homes
  • Education or research centers
  • Schools
  • Hospices
  • Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
  • Fitness centers and sports training facilities
    (Source: American Physical Therapy Association,www.apta.org)

Q. Where can I get information about Financial Aid?

A. Click here

Q. How much is tuition?

A. Click here

Q. What is the contact information for the Department of Physical Therapy at Fresno State?

A. Mailing Address:
Department of Physical Therapy
California State University, Fresno
2345 E. San Ramon Ave., MH-29
Fresno, CA 93740-8031

Telephone Number: (559) 278-2625

Department Email: csufresnopt@yahoo.com

Q. How do I get advising?

A.
MPT-DPT Advising
Penny Lacy
Pennyl@csufresno.edu
McL Hall Room 183
Phone: (559) 278-6579

Q. What are the pre-requisites and requirements for your MPT-DPT program?

A. Pending approval, the MPT program will transition to an entry-level DPT program in Fall 2012. Additional pre-requisite courses will be added to existing list.

CSUF Students
Transfer Students

Human Physiology

BIOL 65

Human physiology with lab

Chemistry

CHEM 1A & 1B sequence OR 3A & 3B and 3BL sequence*

Inorganic and organic or bio-chemistry with labs

Psychology

PSYCH 10

General Psychology

Physics

PHYS 2A, 2B

Physics with lab including mechanics, heat, light, sound, and electricity

Statistics

HS 92 or MATH 11

Introduction to basic statistics

*Fresno State students: The Chemistry Department does not allow students to take the Chem 3 series after already taken or attempted the Chem 1 series.

Click here to view transferable prerequisite courses from certain college.

Q. What applications are required for admissions to the MPT-DPT program?

A. TWO (2) applications are required: Departmental Application by PTCAS and a CSU Graduate Application via CSU Mentor. Both applications must be submitted by its designated deadline date to be considered.
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Q. When is the deadline for the Department MPT-DPT application?

A. Applications are only accepted once a year and are only available through PTCAS. The deadline for the Fall 2012 PTCAS application is October 17, 2011.

Q. How do I know if my classes are equivalent to Fresno State's classes?

A. For California courses, visit the following link for course equivalencies: www.assist.org.

If your courses are from another state, please contact Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Penny Lacy, at pennyl@csufresno.edu. You may be asked to provide a copy of course syllbi, copy of the course description from the catalog, number of units and grading system.

Q. What does it mean when the CSU Graduate application asks for the Total Number of Transferable Units?

A. The Total Number of Transferable Units mean ALL units applicable to a university degree. If you hold a bachelor degree, you should have at least 124 transferable units.
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Q. How many units are required to fulfill the Chemistry prerequisite?

A. We require two semesters or three quarters of college general chemistry.

Q. Where can I find the verification form for PT observation hours?

A. The downloadable verification form is only for applicants who are not yet applying to the current admission cycle. Go here for form.

If you are applying in the current admission cycle, please use the preferred method of submitting your hours online (PT Hours signature process) via PTCAS. Please visit PTCAS for more further instructions.

Q. What is Fresno State's Graduate Admissions mailing address for transcripts?

A. Graduate Admissions Office
5150 North Maple Avenue, M/S JA 57
Fresno, CA 93740-8026

Q. What is the mailing address for PTCAS?

A.

PTCAS
P.O. Box 9112
Watertown, MA 02471

For overnight documents only (e.g. FedEx), use the address below:

PTCAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street Suite 15
Watertown, MA 02472

PLEASE NOTE: PTCAS will not receive your package if it arrives on a weekend or Federal holiday. Express delivery does not guarantee delivery or expedite the processing of your application file.

Q. How do I contact PTCAS?

A.

Telephone: (617) 612-2040
Email: ptcasinfo@ptcas.org

Q. What is Fresno State's institutional code for the GRE?

A. Beginning Summer 2011, two separate GRE codes are needed for score reporting. Submission of scores to BOTH entities is necessary.

1. Fresno State Graduate Admissions Dept.: 4312

2. PTCAS Fresno State PT Code: 7798

Q. What scores are expected for the GRE?

A. A combined score of 1000 for verbal and quantitative with a minimum of 450 in verbal and a minimum of 4.5 in analytical writing is recommended.
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Q. When should I take the GRE?

A. Take the GRE at least 6 weeks before the application deadline date and arrange for ETS to send your official GRE scores directly to Fresno State and PTCAS using the appropriate codes. Students are encouraged to take the GRE early to avoid delays in acceptance for graduate work.