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Department of Physical Therapy

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Prospective Student FAQs

General Questions/IHRS 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 offer professional physical therapist education programs; 79.4% offer the DPT and another 20% 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. 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 170,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S. today. The median salary for a physical therapist is $75,000 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. What is the major code for:

A. Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Pre-Physical Therapy 12012
Pre-Occupational Therapy 12012

Physical Therapy (Master Degree) 12121

Q. How do I get advising?

A. Undergraduate Degree:
Pre-Physical Therapy
Dr. Cheryl Hickey
Cherylba@csufresno.edu
McLane Hall Room 276E
Phone: (559) 278-3030

Pre-Occupational Therapy
Erin Dolin
McLane Hall Room 276F
Edolin@csufresno.edu

Pre-Public Health/Health Sciences
Dr. Suzanne Kotkin-Jaszi
Skotkin@csufresno.edu
Phone: (559) 278-5387

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

CSUF Students
Transfer Students

Human Physiology

BIOL 65
(formerly PHYAN 65)

Human physiology with lab

Chemistry

CHEM 1A or 3A and 3B

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

Click here to view transferable prerequisite courses from certain college.

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

A. Applications to the MPT-DPT program is through PTCAS. Once students are notified of acceptance, they must also complete the CSU Graduate Application through CSU Mentor.
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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 PTCAS application is November 14th.

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

A. Visit the following link for course equivalencies: www.assist.org

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. Do you accept AP and Credit courses?

A. We accept AP (Advanced Placement) credit only for Statistics or Psychology. We also accept CR (Credit) but require that students indicate their grade for the course is a C. Please note, AP credit has no negative impact on your GPA, but CR coursework does because it must be recorded as a C grade.

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 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. 4312

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 offical GRE scores directly to the PT program. Students are encouraged to take the GRE early to avoid delays in acceptance for graduate work.