Physical Therapy

General Information on the School of Physical Therapy
Graduate Information
Faculty

OFFICE: Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 141
TELEPHONE: 619-594-0566 / FAX: 619-594-6553
E-MAIL: dpt@sdsu.edu
WEBSITE: https://physicaltherapy.sdsu.edu

General Information on the School of Physical Therapy

The School of Physical Therapy is committed to academic excellence and expression by fostering evidence-based practice, research, teaching, service and public engagement. We are committed to cultivating inquiry and professional leadership in our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Our mission is to advance the health and function of the people of California and the global community by generating new knowledge and preparing physical therapists for general practice who are experts in the human movement system.

The School of Physical Therapy at San Diego State University will be recognized as a regional and national leader in physical therapy education, research, and service to the profession and community. We will be a diverse and engaged community of faculty, students, clinicians, and alumni in whom the highest moral and ethical values prevail.

Graduate Information

Doctoral Program

General Information

The San Diego State University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is designed to educate clinical practitioners prepared for autonomous practice in physical therapy, and to be experts in the examination, evaluation, and intervention of movement dysfunction. Attention to physical therapy services to all ages and diverse populations, the DPT program allows qualified students to prepare as primary care physical therapists capable of practicing autonomously in a variety of environments. Students will be prepared to continue special areas of study to qualify for certification as clinical specialty practitioners. This is in support of the professional commitment as physical therapists providing quality services to the people of California and the global community.

Program objectives of the DPT:

Create leaders in collaborative interdisciplinary teams to influence changes in practice that ensures the delivery of a holistic approach to care;
Increase the number of physical therapists who are prepared to implement advanced practice physical therapy roles according to national standards for advanced practice and/or executive leadership in healthcare organizations and/ or independent practice;
Prepare graduates to evaluate and translate existing evidence as a foundation for a scientifically-based advanced practice;
Prepare graduates to influence health care systems, lead policy initiatives, and clinical practice through dissemination of knowledge, skills, and leadership that will improve the physical health status and outcomes for populations, and advocate for changes that can transform how physical therapy practice is delivered;
Produce graduates who are able to use physical therapy knowledge and innovations in technology and practice to provide safe, effective, appropriate, and culturally sensitive and competent physical therapy practice;
Produce graduates who generate and disseminate physical therapy practice knowledge to improve clinical outcomes and to stimulate the use of research in practice.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a three-year program. The first two years are didactic instruction while the third year consists primarily of clinical experiences. The DPT is the entry-level degree.

Admission to the D.P.T. Program

In addition to satisfying the requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing as described in Admission and Registration , the student seeking admission must possess an undergraduate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association and the following:

One year (or two semesters) of laboratory and lecture-based human anatomy and physiology courses completed within five years of the application to the DPT program;
One year (or two semesters) of laboratory and lecture-based macro-to-micro-focused biology is acceptable;
One year (or two semesters) of laboratory and lecture-based general inorganic, organic or biochemistry chemistry is acceptable;
One year (or two semesters) of laboratory and lecture-based college level physics;
Two courses in psychology (acceptable courses: abnormal, adolescent, advanced, child developmental, death/dying, general, growth and development, human behavior, lifespan development, psychopathology, rehabilitation, social or sports);
One statistics course;
One English writing course (English composition or an upper-division writing course);
No more than two prerequisite courses can be taken during the spring semester (or quarter) prior to commencing the program. In addition, all prerequisite coursework must be completed with a GPA of at least 3.00.

Admission criteria for a preferred applicant to the SDSU DPT program will provide evidence of and demonstrate:

A grade point average (GPA) commensurate with graduate school admission requirements;
A recommended minimum 3.00 overall GPA with at least a 3.00 GPA in all upper division and any graduate courses combined;
The applicant was in good standing at the last institution of higher education attended.
Additional evidence considered in the admission process shall include but not be limited to:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum score of 300 (verbal and quantitative combined) and a minimum score of 4.0 (analytical writing). Scores from the previous five years will be acceptable as valid;
Three confidential letters of recommendation from professionals attesting to the ability, scholarship, and aptitude of the candidate for a rigorous full-time DPT program. At least one letter must be from a licensed physical therapist whom the applicant has had a professional association with and can appropriately evaluate the applicant’s potential as a student in the physical therapy program. One letter must be from a professor for a course which the applicant completed. The third letter must be from a licensed physical therapist or professor as described above or an individual that the applicant participated, served, volunteered, or worked with in a professional setting that can attest to the applicant’s maturity, leadership and potential as a student in the physical therapy program;
Demonstrated evidence of exposure to the field and an appreciation of the breadth, depth, and scope of practice. This can be accomplished through either volunteer or paid work experience in a physical therapy setting. A minimum of 100 observation hours must be completed under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Observation in two or more different types of physical therapy settings (e.g. pediatric and orthopedic, rather than two different orthopedic settings) is highly recommended;
A written statement of purpose describing any significant challenges or hardships the applicant has experienced and overcome that have contributed to their personal growth as they work towards a career in physical therapy;
A written statement from the applicant indicating what does becoming a physical therapist mean to them, including their professional goals and reasons for selecting physical therapy as a career;
A video addressing an issue posed by the SDSU DPT program.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at San Diego State University does not participate in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the SDSU supplemental program application website.

For information regarding the admissions process, visit the School website at https://physical-therapy.sdsu.edu.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials must be submitted directly to:

Graduate Admissions

Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;

NOTE:
- Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
- Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The following admissions materials* must be completed or submitted electronically via the supplemental program application website by the December application deadline for admission to the summer semester:

DPT supplemental application form;
DPT prerequisite course checklist;
DPT applicant volunteer and work experience form;
DPT program disclosure form;
Statement of what does becoming a physical therapist mean to the applicant;
Statement of challenges and hardship overcome that have contributed to personal growth towards a career in physical therapy;
Curriculum vitae or resume;
Video (3 minute maximum) addressing an issue posed by the SDSU DPT program;
Names and e-mail address of three references who will be invited to complete a recommendation for the applicant electronically.

*Forms for the materials are available on the DPT program website.

Faculty

Director of School of Physical Therapy: Rauh, Mitchell J., Professor of Physical Therapy, Director of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (B.S., University of Nevada-Reno; B.S.P.T., University of Washington; M.P.H., San Diego State University; Ph.D., University of Washington)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Gombatto, Sara P., Professor of Physical Therapy (B.S., M.S.P.T., Ithaca College; Ph.D., Washington University)

Monroe, Katrina S., Professor of Physical Therapy (B.S. University of Arizona; M.S.P.T., Ph.D., Washington University)

Tuttle, Lori J., Professor of Physical Therapy (B.S., M.P.T., Saint Louis University; Ph.D., Washington University)

Domingo, Antoinette R., Associate Professor of Physical Therapy (B.A., University of California, Berkeley; M.P.T., Mayo School of Health Sciences; Ph.D., University of Michigan)

Lecturers:

Leung, Kenneth., P.T., D.P.T.

Pavlov, Andrew., P.T., D.P.T.

Prescher, Kelly L., P.T., D.P.T.

Programs

Physical Therapy, DPT