Admission is highly selective and enrollment in the MPT program is limited to 32 students each year. To be eligible for admission, students must have earned a bachelor's degree by the start of the program.

The Master of Physical Therapy program Admissions Committee considers the following factors in the selection process:

• Strength of academic record. All prerequisite coursework must be completed by the start of the program, with a "C" grade or higher. You must obtain at least a 3.0 GPA in all prerequisites to be eligible to apply. The method to document required prerequisite coursework is through the supplemental application.  To ensure academic coursework which fulfills our requirements, check with the prerequisite courses, and, if your course is not listed there, complete and submit a Request for Course Substitution Form at any time prior to December 1, 2009 for the Admissions Committee to review.  Extra admissions points are given for recommended (but not required) prerequisite courses in Advanced Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, and Neurophysiology completed by January 15, 2010.
  
  
• Observation experience. Applicants must demonstrate the accumulation of at least 100 hours of paid or volunteer experience with a current practicing United States licensed Physical Therapist. The minimum of 100 hours must be met by experiences in at least two different types of PT settings (i.e acute care, rehabilitation, SNF, outpatient) in the United States, with a minimum of 25 hours in each setting. The method to document this experience is through the PTCAS application.

Please note: The Admissions Committee will consider the total number of hours accumulated, at the time that you submit your application.  No consideration will be given to hours projected for the future. 

• Background Characteristics. Additional admissions points are available for second language competency, and for disadvantaged economic, educational and environmental backgrounds.
  
  
• Strength of professional evaluations. Three professional evaluations must be submitted with your application; two from current practicing U.S. licensed PTs, and one from an academician. Professional evaluation forms are available through the PTCAS application.
  
  
• Strength of the on-campus personal interview with faculty and affiliating clinicians.  During the panel interview, we will attempt to ascertain your
  
  
  • Ability to reflect and level of self-awareness
  • Understanding of the Physical Therapy profession
  • Understanding and involvement in cultural awareness and diversity
  • Type and extent of community activities
    
    
• We require the full GRE for admission into the program, yet only the Analytic Writing Score will be used to assess quality of writing ability, which is included in the admission decision.
  
  
• Content of application forms and care with which they have been completed

MPT Program Essential Functions and Technical Standards

The Physical Therapy program does not grant advanced standing nor accept transfer students from other physical therapy program. Students who have previously attended a physical therapy program in the U.S. or Canada must enclose a letter from the Chair of the program stating that the applicant left the previous PT program in good academic standing


Class of 2011 Profile

LINKS

Application Requirements

Prerequisite Courses Required

Prerequisite Course Worksheet

CSUS Prerequisite Course Descriptions

Approved courses from Davis/Roseville/Sacramento/Stockton/Woodland/Yolo colleges and universities

Acceptable course substitutes from other colleges and universities

Request for Course Substitution Form

How to Apply

MPT Program Overview

Applicants should be aware that all physical therapist professional
education programs in the US are subject to accreditation "standards that
assure quality and continuous improvement in the entry-level preparation of
physical therapists, and reflect the evolving nature of education, research,
and practice." While the Education Section of APTA recognizes that there
are proprietary organizations that rank physical therapist education
programs, the profession encourages prospective students to provide their
own comparisons through careful examination of information on program and APTA websites, and visits to the campuses to talk with enrolled students and program faculty.