| IMPORTANT NOTICE Three (3) applications are REQUIRED to apply for the Master's of Physical Therapy program. |
#1 CSU Office of Graduate Studies' Graduate Application due November 30, 2009 |
SAC STATE Physical Therapy
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
about the MPT Program
Is the program at Sac State Accredited?
Yes. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) has awarded full accreditation to our program through 2014. We expect to receive another 10-year re-accreditation at that time. Graduates earn a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree and are eligible to take the national Physical Therapy licensing exam in any state.
Why does Sac State not offer the entry-level DPT?
The state of California requires legislative approval for the California State University campuses to award the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. We simply cannot award this degree under current law. This does not, however, affect licensure eligibility, or practice potential of our graduates. Since we are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), our program meets the same rigorous standards and outcomes that all accredited DPT programs meet. Because we meet the same accreditation requirements of all physical therapy programs across the country, our graduates are eligible for licensure in any state.
Doesn’t a DPT program teach more research, and allow one to conduct more research than an MPT program?
Physical therapy programs vary in their emphasis on the research component, and it does not relate to the degree awarded. The DPT degree, like the MPT, is a professional entry-level degree that prepares graduates for professional practice, not for being a researcher. Because research emphasis varies by program, it is advisable to ensure that your research interests match with the requirements of any program you are considering.
Is there a difference between having an MPT and DPT degree when it comes to licensure or PT practice?
There is absolutely no difference between having an MPT and DPT degree when it comes to applying for licensure or in clinical practice. The California State Board of Physical Therapy issues licenses to practice PT to applicants who have graduated from a CAPTE accredited educational program and who have passed the Licensure Examination. There is no consideration whether the applicant’s degree is an MPT or DPT. Employers are concerned that an applicant holds a current PT license and with the clinical experience of an applicant. Seldom do employers consider degree status (MPT vs. DPT).
Will a DPT allow me to be able to teach in a PT program?
Over 95% of advertised faculty positions in the past year have listed an academic doctorate (PhD. or EdD or DSc.) as necessary to apply for faculty teaching positions. The DPT is not considered the “terminal” degree in the discipline of physical therapy, and the DPT alone usually does not allow instructors to become traditional tenure-track or tenured professors.
Will Sac State be offering a DPT?
In order for us to offer the DPT, California law must first be changed. In 2006, we attempted to persuade the legislature to pass such legislation but were defeated by more powerful lobbyists. We continue to work with the California Physical Therapy Association to bring about the necessary changes. We continue to develop the curricular changes to bring a DPT on-line without delay should we receive authority to award the degree.
If the DPT becomes a required degree, what will happen to the MPT students?
In the past when accreditation requirements have changed (BSPT to MPT), programs were given a few years to come into compliance. Current MPT students will finish their degree program, and will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination. We already offer a post-professional DPT option through the A.T. Still DPT program. We hope to be able to offer an option for students enrolled in the MPT program at the time of the conversion to continue an additional semester to obtain the DPT.
Why does Sac State require Pharmacology and Physiology as prerequisites?
We require these courses as prerequisites because their content provides important background for being successful in the program coursework. The foundational knowledge of pharmacology and physiology is needed as we integrate these topics into patient management in many of the courses throughout the curriculum. Our program length is kept to only 28-months partly because we do not include these as freestanding courses within our curriculum. Both prerequisite courses are available online.
How do I “enroll” in CSUS’s MPT program if I’m a current student of another MPT-DPT program?
If you attend, or have previously attended, another physical therapy program, you must apply to our program and include in your application a sealed letter, signed across the seal, from the chairperson of your previous program verifying that you were in good academic standing upon separation from the program. If you left a program on academic probation, you will not be considered for admission to the MPT program.
How many months does it take to complete the MPT program?
The MPT program is 28 months in length, with an 8-week break during the first summer.
Do I have to attend full-time?
Yes, the entire curriculum is a cohort model and requires full time attendance for the entire program.
Do you offer those interested in attending the program part-time evening classes?
No. The program is entirely full-time, with no option to enroll part-time.
Will I be required to take classes during the summers?
During the summer after your first academic year, you are required to complete a 6-week full-time externship. The other 8 weeks of the summer are off. The second summer is entirely filled with full-time externship placements.
Does CSUS offer childcare?
Childcare may be available to you, for information contact ASI Children's Center http://www.asi.csus.edu/children/
How much does it cost to attend CSUS’s MPT degree program?
The cost as Fall of 2009 is $2918./ semester in fees (which is what tuition/fees are called at CSUS). For the seven semesters, this is less than a $20,000. total. The state budget crisis will likely lead to significant increases in fees, and the latest fees can be found at Sacramento State Student Financial Services Center http://www.csus.edu/sfsc/
Does CSUS offer financial aid?
Yes, please see Sacramento State Financial Aid Officehttps://webapps1.csus.edu/faid_general/
Will I be required to have health insurance?
Yes. All students are required to maintain health insurance coverage for major medical prior to beginning clinical education experiences. This includes coverage beyond the scope of the basic campus student health center coverage Sacramento State Student Health Center http://webapps1.csus.edu/hlth/. Supplemental insurance for the summer of 2010 is available from the Associated Students on campus at a cost of $266. - $554., depending on student age.
Do I need a laptop?
No, laptops are not required. Most class lectures are posted on webpages, and many students take notes on the powerpoint slides issued, so a laptop can be handy. Most students will want to have their own computer for completing assignments for classes, whether laptop or desktop.
Does the department offer scholarships?
The PT Department is not able to offer scholarships, and yet we do alert students in the program to scholarship opportunities. The Office of Graduate Studies is one resource at: Financial Opportunities for Graduate Students http://www.csus.edu/gradstudies/financial.htm
What are my job prospects when I complete the MPT program?
Employment of Physical Therapists is currently the fifth fastest growing occupation in the California economy, with more jobs than licensed PTs available. Most of our graduates can find full time benefitted employment that pays between $65,000 - $75,000 annual salary. Some earn more, and some less, depending on the setting of employment.
What are the graduate’s passing rates on the licensure exam?
Our graduates are highly successful in passing the licensure exam, with rates consistently well above the state and national average rates. The 2008 graduates had a 94% first-time pass rate, compared to the California and U.S. average of 85%. Our three-year average pass rate is over 97%.
Upon successful program completion, how long does it take to become licensed?
Usually graduates are eligible to sit for the licensure exam in California and become licensed in 2 – 3 months after the graduation date. Since our graduates finish in December, there is less paperwork delay with the licensing board than in May/June when most other programs graduate their PT students.
What are the program’s essential functions and technical standards?
The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at Sacramento State is a difficult and intense program which places specific physical, mental and psychological demands on a student enrolled in the program. The demands placed on the students during their academic and clinical preparation correspond closely to the intellectual and physical demands which a graduate will encounter as a practicing physical therapist. The essential functions are intellectual & mental capacities and the technical standards are specific motor, sensory, cognitive, communication, and behavioral abilities needed to perform as a physical therapist. These are detailed in the MPT Program Essential Functions and Technical Standards
Will I be required to participate in a drug screening and background check?
Criminal background screens will be required of all students during the first semester, and results are kept confidential for distribution to the affiliating hospitals and clinics that require them for clinical externships. Some facilities, in addition, may require drug screening prior to the beginning of clinical externships.
Will I need to be CPR certified?
Current CPR certification is required from all students in order to participate in clinical affiliations. This must be a certification course designed for people who have a duty to respond - such as lifeguards and other health professionals - and must be maintained throughout the term of your studies and clinical externships. The American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers course is equivalent to the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers course (they both include infant, pediatric and adult CPR, the bag-valve-mask and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)). Online courses are not acceptable.
Are Mock Clinics offered in Adult Neurological Evaluation and Treatment, Neuropediatrics Evaluation and Treatment, etc.?
Yes, patients from the community with neurologic impairments come into the Mock Clinics for students to assess and treat for 8 weeks in each of three semesters.
