Department of Physical Therapy
M.P.T., Master of Physical Therapy, and
D.P.T., Post-Professional Doctor of Physical TherapyDr. Janet Duttarer, Department Chair and interim Graduate Program Coordinator
- The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy | The MPT-DPT Curriculum | Our Faculty | Admission Requirements | How to Apply | MPT Quick Facts | DPT Quick Facts
The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy
The profession of physical therapy promotes optimal human health and function through application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct and alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. The roles of the physical therapist practitioner in achieving this purpose are multidimensional; they encompass planning and implementing patient care and education, as well as providing consultative and administrative services in the delivery of physical therapy services. The professional also needs knowledge and expertise in directing clinical research and quality-improvement management.
The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), is a 3-4 year course of study. Completion of graduate-level course of study leads to the granting of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The DPT is a joint professional degree with the University of California, San Francisco and consists of an additional 9 months of study (34 semester units) added to the 2-3 year accredited MPT program. This new education standard for physical therapy prepares graduates to practice autonomously in preparation for direct access. The MPT-DPT program focuses on critical thinking strategies that promote effective analysis and interpretation of data in the formulation of treatment alternatives that can achieve predictable functional outcomes in patient management.
The MPT-DPT Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on concepts of decision analysis, integration of clinical sciences with patient case study, integration of coursework with concomitant clinical experiences, evidence based practice, applied research and concepts of health care delivery and administration of services. The department places strong emphasis on independent study, problem solving, evidence based practice, applied research, sensitivity to diverse sociocultural values, and commitment to lifelong professional development. A mentoring system facilitates the teacher-learner process and provides a strong support system for students. Student involvement in campus and professional organizations is a program expectation.
Clinical education is a major component of the degree program. A total of 30 full-time weeks of clinical experience is integrated with the didactic course of study. In addition, students participate in a community-based Gait, Balance, and Mobility Research and Education Center on campus throughout the program. Through these experiences the student has multiple opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in the clinical setting. Specific clinical assignments require the student to bring clinical information back to the academic setting as part of the learning process. As part of the 30-week full time clinic, students complete a postgraduate 18-week full-time internship following the MPT and an advanced 6-10 week clinic mentorship during the DPT program. These clinical placement opportunities are available throughout the state.
Our Faculty
The Physical Therapy faculty are diverse in their interests and areas of academic preparation. Students regularly interact with faculty in the classroom and in individual and group efforts. Such efforts involve research projects, career development, professional activities, community service and other forms of professional socialization. As active practitioners, faculty offer students outstanding direction in the integration of principles and theory in the process of learning to become effective clinical decision-makers. Participation by adjunct clinical faculty who teach elective courses provides students with the opportunity to learn advanced concepts alongside established clinicians.
Admission Requirements
Twenty candidates are accepted into the graduate curriculum in the fall of each year. Only those students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in a related field and who meet prerequisites are considered. For information regarding eligibility to apply to the program these candidates should consult the General Catalog or send their request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the department admissions mailing address .
How to Apply
Application deadlines and procedures: Applicants apply online through PTCAS (www.ptcas.org). The deadline is November 14th for the fall 2009 semester. Only those applicants that are admitted to the program are required to also fill out the university application.
See our website (www.csufresno.edu/physicaltherapy) for specific instructions on applying to the program.
Graduate financial aid opportunities are available through the Student Aid Application for California process. Grants, scholarships, college work-study and loans are handled through this organization. During the final DPT year, students are not eligible for financial aid because the joint DPT program is a self-support program requiring an additional student fee.
The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy | The MPT-DPT Curriculum | Our Faculty | Admission Requirements | How to Apply | MPT Quick Facts | DPT Quick Facts