Physical Therapy and Clinical Laboratory Science

College of Health and Human Services
Dean: Don Taylor

Physical Therapy Program
GYM 105
415-338-2001
Fax: 415-338-0907
E-mail: gppt@sfsu.edu  
Web Site: http://pt.sfsu.edu

Director: Linda Wanek
San Francisco State University

Director: Kimberly Topp
University of California, San Francisco

Graduate Coordinators: L. Wanek, K. Topp

Faculty

Professors—Byl, Hallum, Radtka, Topp, Wanek
Assistant Professor—Rossi
Lecturer—Galvan
Associate Clinical Professor (UCSF)—Arriaga
Assistant Clinical Professors (UCSF)—Galvan, Jaramillo

Programs

M.S. in Physical Therapy
Certificate in Clinical Competence in Physical Therapy
D.P.T. (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
D.P.T.Sc. (Doctor of Physical Therapy Science)

Clinical Laboratory Science Internship Program
SCI 202
415-338-2332
Fax: 415-338-7747

Program Director: Geraldine Albee
Associate Director: Vera Rogers

Faculty

Lecturers—Albee, Rogers, Kouyoumdjian, Nusrat, Scott

Program

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science

Physical Therapy Program Scope

All Physical Therapy degrees are offered jointly with the University of California, San Francisco.

Entering the Profession of Physical Therapy

Master of Science - Doctor of Physical Therapy (MS-DPT) Program

A student applying to become a physical therapist applies to the MS-DPT Program. This is a 3 year program (36 months) including 24 weeks of full time clinical affiliations. In the MS-DPT Program, the student completes 27 months of study to complete a Master of Science degree, sits for the National Licensing Examination and then continues in the Post-professional DPT Program (9 months). This program is designed to prepare scholarly clinicians, educators, collaborative clinical researchers, administrative managers and community leaders. The MS-DPT program accepts 28-32 students and requires 36 months of study (including summers). The curriculum is built on a strong theoretical foundation in basic, medical and applied sciences. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning are woven into all aspects of the program and creative problem solving skills are developed to work with patients to mitigate disability, optimize function and maintain positive health. The graduates are well prepared to pass the State Licensing Examination and are considered top applicants for positions in physical therapy.

Courses are held at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Clinical clerkships occur at affiliated agencies throughout California but are primarily located in the northern and central regions of the state.

The MS in Physical Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Doctor of Physical Therapy Science

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Science degree prepares physical therapists for positions in academic and/or clinical research settings. The curriculum prepares scholars who can assume leadership roles as physical therapy educators, basic science, or clinical researchers. The program emphasizes a strong theoretical foundation in which to develop clinical research skills. The 24-48 month program (including summer semesters) consists of academic course work, laboratory studies, teaching practica, and participation in original research. Courses are held at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Course work and research opportunities make full use of the expertise available at these two campuses.

Career Outlook

The career outlook for physical therapists is very good with graduates employed in acute and rehabilitation hospitals, private practice, outpatient clinics, schools, community agencies, and academic programs.

The career outlook for physical therapist educators is excellent with opportunities for graduates to work in academic settings and/or research medical centers.

MASTER OF SCIENCE AND POST-PROFESSIONAL
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (MS-DPT)

Admission to Program

Twenty-eight to thirty-two students are admitted to the MS-DPT program each June. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and meet all general admissions requirements for graduate study at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco. Any major is acceptable provided the applicant has completed the following program prerequisites before entry. Survey chemistry and physics courses are not acceptable. Separate anatomy and physiology courses are preferred. Students who do not have a strong science background should take additional science courses to demonstrate an ability to succeed in science-based course work. Students at SFSU are advised to take PT 300 when entering the junior year.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also:

• Have at least a 3.0 grade point average in baccalaureate studies and in overall college course work in the basic sciences including the prerequisites specified above.
• Be able to demonstrate understanding of the work and profession of physical therapy, gained through paid or volunteer experience (minimum of 150 hours) in a variety of settings under the supervision of a physical therapist.
• Submit Graduate Record Examination scores. These must be no more than five years old. A total score of 1000 (verbal and quantitative), with a minimum of 450 on verbal, and a score of 4.5 in the writing section is required. Scores are due by November 30 of the year the application is submitted.
• Supply three strong letters of recommendation regarding potential to complete the program and personal compatibility with physical therapy as a profession. At least one letter must be from a physical therapist.

Application Process

Students must submit applications postmarked by November 1 of the year prior to desired entry (i.e., by November, 2008 for admission in June, 2009). Application materials are available to download from the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site. The initial application materials must be submitted to UCSF.

Following preliminary evaluation, 60–80 applicants will be invited to interview. Students who are offered an interview are required to mail their official transcripts for their SFSU application to the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy office at SFSU. Following an interview and an assessment of writing skills, 28-32 students will be accepted for admission to the physical therapy program. Once accepted into the program, students will then complete an online application for admission to SFSU.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must meet the first level of proficiency in written English as a condition of admission to the physical therapy program. Students must complete the GRE analytical writing section prior to enrollment. Evaluation of writing skills are also based upon an essay written at the time of the applicant's scheduled interview. The second level of written English proficiency is demonstrated through papers and manuscripts prepared during the student's final semester in the M.S. program and a written comprehensive examination.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students may be considered for advancement to candidacy for the Master of Science in Physical Therapy by filing the UCSF Application for Candidacy which is also accepted at SFSU in lieu of the GAP. Students complete this form in the final semester of the second year of the MS curriculum.

Culminating Experience

As a culminating experience, students must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination during the final Spring semester of their Master of Science degree coursework.

Master of Science Program Course Work

Courses shown with quarter-unit values are taken at the University of California, San Francisco. Courses shown with semester-unit values are assigned to San Francisco State University. At San Francisco State University, courses numbering 700 or higher are graduate courses. At the University of California, San Francisco, courses with numbers between 100 and 199 are at the upper division level; courses with numbers between 200 and 399 are graduate courses.

Master of Science in Physical Therapy

CERTIFICATE IN CLINICAL COMPETENCE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

General Information

Students enrolled in the graduate program in physical therapy are required to complete a 24-unit Certificate of Clinical Competence prior to receiving the Master of Science in Physical Therapy. This certificate is also required prior to applying for the physical therapy licensing examination.

Clerkships are 40 hours per week during the second and third summers. These 24 units are in addition to the 66 units required for the M.S. in Physical Therapy. Completion of PT 801, PT 802, and PT 803 leads to the Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Admission Requirements

Students must successfully complete the first year of course work in the graduate program in physical therapy prior to beginning the certificate program.

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT)

Admission to Program

Students who successfully completed the Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy (final GPA of 3.0 or better, 80% or more on the comprehensive examination, satisfactory completion of clinical clerkships taken to date, were not on multiple semesters of probation for academic or professional behavior reasons during their MS in PT program, and have met the licensure requirement) are automatically eligible for the DPT year of study. The DPT year is an additional 9 months of advanced study (51 quarter; 34 semester units).

Culminating Experience

Students research and write an in-depth patient case report or an evidence based review of a clinical problem following the criteria established in PT 910 and PT 920 courses. The manuscripts must be prepared in a journal-ready format as well as presented orally to an audience of faculty and peers.

Program Course Work

Courses shown with quarter-unit values are taken at the University of California, San Francisco. Courses shown with semester-unit values are taken at San Francisco State University.

Program Self-support Fee

The DPT year is offered as a self-support year and therefore, additional fees apply. Please refer to the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site or contact the physical therapy program office for updated information.

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY SCIENCE (DPTSc)

Admission to Program

One to four students are admitted to the program each September. Applicants must hold a degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution; meet all general admission requirements for graduate study at both San Francisco State University and the University of California, San Francisco; and be eligible for licensure in California.

Application Process

Students must submit applications by January 2nd for Summer or Fall admission. Application materials are available to download from the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy web site. The initial application materials must be submitted to UCSF.

Following an interview, research interest compatibility, and the assessment of all application materials, students are accepted for admission to the doctoral program. Following admission to the DPTSc program, students are then required to apply online to SFSU.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are considered for advancement to candidacy for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Science after completing course work in one's area of emphasis, teaching practica, preparation of a written research proposal, and a comprehensive oral qualifying examination.

Culminating Experience

Students participate in an original research project guided by a faculty member. The student completes an oral defense of the research and writes a manuscript suitable for publication.

Program

Students complete fifteen units in an area of emphasis, a minimum of two statistics courses, two semesters of teaching practicum, grand rounds, and the doctoral colloquia. Students also take Directed Research in the completion of their research requirement. All students serve as teaching assistants in the classroom situation and in the clinic. All students are required to pass an oral qualifying examination.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

Advisors—Albee, Rogers

Program Scope

The SFSU Clinical Laboratory Internship Certificate program (CLS) provides students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to work in hospitals, clinics, or biomedical research environments. The program prepares students at the post-baccalaureate level to sit for licensure as Clinical Laboratory Scientists. In addition, the program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and meets the educational standards required for licensure as a CLS by the California State Department of Health, Laboratory Field Services (LFS). The program seeks to develop critical thinking skills for clinical and administrative decision making in the complex and ever-changing healthcare environment.

Career Outlook

Clinical laboratory scientists are employed in healthcare settings such as medical laboratories within large medical centers, community hospitals, public health, clinics and private industry. Excellent employment opportunities exist in research and development, medical informational technology, laboratory administration and education.

Admission to Program

Prerequisites are: (1) admissibility as a SFSU graduate student (2.75 GPA and a score of 550 on the written TOEFL or 213 on the computer test); (2) the science course preparation of the SFSU Bachelor of Science in Clinical Science or the equivalent (including courses in hematology, immunology, medical microbiology, quantitative chemistry analysis, biochemistry, physics, and college-level mathematics); (3) an active Trainee license from the State of California Department of Health, Laboratory Field Services; (4)completion of the application form, which includes three letters of reference; and (5) interviews at SFSU. The program faculty is available to advise applicants about admissions procedures. Classes start in August and January.

Curriculum

The CLS program consists of (1) a 16-week semester of on-campus didactic and laboratory work and (2) a 40-week off-campus internship at affiliated clinical laboratory sites. Students enroll for 16 units for the on-campus semester. For the 40-week off-campus portion, students enroll in a combination of regular university sessions and special sessions through the College of Extended Learning.

English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students complete a two-page, proctored essay at the time of their application interview. If necessary, remediation will be fulfilled by successful completion of SCI 614 or equivalent course.
Level Two: Successful completion of a series of written professional reports as required for a leadership role in professional environments: CLS 706.