California State University, Long Beach

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is designed to prepare the graduate for entry-level practice as a physical therapist. Successful completion of the degree requirements and clinical internships qualifies one to sit for the National licensing examination to practice as a physical therapist.

The curriculum emphasizes an integration of foundational, behavioral and clinical sciences to produce clinicians with skills in critical thinking and clinical reasoning for evidence based practice. The full-time, 3-year program begins in summer and students will typically be in class for approximately 22 hours per week each semester, summer, fall and spring. There are a total of 36 weeks of clinical experiences which include one 12-week summer affiliation after year 2, and two 12-week internships in the final year of the program. Additional clinical exposure opportunities include a pro-bono classroom-clinics in the second year of the program which includes working directly with patients that have neurological deficits; an applied clinical decision making course that includes varying scenarios using high fidelity simulated mannequins and standardized patients; and clinical orthopedic courses allowing students to treat patients at the on campus faculty practice, PT@theBeach. A faculty-directed research project is required with the research proposal serving as the qualifying examination and the final project paper, presentation, and comprehensive examination serving as the culminating events of the didactic curriculum. The final 24 weeks of clinical affiliations are completed in winter and spring after all other requirements for graduation are completed.

We strongly recommend potential applicants review the application requirements and the admission criteria at www.csulb.edu/pt

The total cost of education is calculated by adding together the annual tuition, fees, and other required program expenses for the length of the program and does not include the cost of room and board or other personal costs.

Anticipated Size of the Next Entering Class

Size of Most Recent Entering Class

% of students from IN-STATE

90%

% of students from OUT-OF-STATE

10%

Graduates from CSULB and from other universities, who successfully meet the admission requirements, are considered for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy. The applicants cumulative and prerequisite GPA's must both be at least 3.00 in order to apply. We strongly recommend GRE scores of at least 150 the quantitative and verbal sections and at least a score of 4.0 in the analytical section. No preference is given to in-state or out-of-state applicants. The size of entering cohort into the DPT program consists of 36-38 students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will accept online labs for required prerequisite courses taken in the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 academic terms only.

Jeff Rodrigues

Primary Contact

Director of Admissions, Department of Physical Therapy

+1 562.985.4072

CHHS-PT@csulb.edu