Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is a three-year joint program between University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and San Francisco State University (SFSU). Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and scientific base and widespread clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function. The UCSF/SFSU program runs for 36 continuous months beginning in June and includes 34 weeks of full-time clinical experiences. The program is designed to prepare scholarly clinicians, educators, collaborative clinical researchers, administrative managers, and community leaders.

Program Description

The curriculum of the DPT program is built on a strong theoretical foundation in basic, medical, and applied sciences. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills are developed within an integrated program that prepares students to work collaboratively with patients across the lifespan to improve health and wellness, address disability challenges, and optimize function.

Faculty

The UCSF/SFSU faculty includes leaders in the field, renowned researchers, and exemplary teachers. Many of the core faculty are currently practicing clinicians at a range of sites, including several UCSF Outpatient Faculty Practices, UCSF Health & Wellness Center, and UCSF Medical Center.

Career Outcomes

Graduates from the entry-level DPT program go on to work as physical therapy professionals who are committed to patient care, education, and the application of research to clinical practice.

Admission Requirements

We look beyond grades and coursework to the applicant as a whole person. We review extracurricular responsibilities, leadership positions, research, community service, work experience, intercollegiate sports, and other factors in holistic admissions.

Learning Outcomes

Our program, student, and graduate goals are organized under five sets of values that link back to the mission of the program and the universities and units. Learning outcomes for students are that they will:

Provide patient-centered care and participate in outreach and service to the community, striving to improve access, equity, and quality of treatment and education, with emphasis on communities of need
Develop their professionalism, clinical skills, and unique abilities
Develop an appreciation for and engage in research
Benefit from the diversity valued by the program and will experience an inclusive learning environment
Be advocates for the Physical Therapy Profession and leaders in their communities

Additional Information

The DPT program is offered by the UCSF Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, administered by the UCSF School of Medicine, and delivered by faculty members in the UCSF School of Medicine and at San Francisco State University.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for successful completion of the program are based on academic and professional expectations. Each student will be evaluated in terms of academic achievement, clinical abilities, and professional behaviors (self-assessment, faculty assessment, and clinical instructor assessment). Requirements for graduation include:

Successful completion of all academic coursework with 3.0 GPA at both Universities and combined
Passing grades on all practical and competency exams
Passing grades on all qualifying assessment exams
Passing grades on all clinical education experiences
Successful completion of an evidence-based practice manuscript and presentation to the public
Demonstration of professional behaviors

Core Courses

All courses are taken at UCSF unless otherwise noted.

Year 1

Summer:
- PHYS THER 200A: Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy I (4 units)
- PHYS THER 201: Physical Therapy Assessment: Principles and Practice (3 units)
- PT 706 (SFSU): Structure, Function, and Motion in Physical Therapy 1 (3 units)
Fall:
- PHYS THER 200B: Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy II (0.5 units)
- PHYS THER 204A: Pathophysiology for Physical Therapists I (3 units)
- PHYS THER 215A: Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence I (0.5 units)
- PHYS THER 220A: PT Interventions I: Intro (3 units)
- PHYS THER 410: Integrated Clinical Experience (1 unit)
- PT 741 (SFSU): Musculoskeletal Pathokinesiology I 1 (6 units)
Winter:
- PHYS THER 110: Ortho & Rehab Diag/Treatment (2 units)
- PHYS THER 200C: Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy III (0.5 units)
- PHYS THER 204B: Pathophysiology for Physical Therapists II (2.5 units)
Spring:
- PHYS THER 112A: Motor Control Across the Lifespan: Motor Behavior (1.5 units)
- PHYS THER 215B: Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence II (0.5 units)
- PHYS THER 219A: Pain Science for the Physical Therapist I (1 unit)
- PHYS THER 400A: Grand Rounds (Longitudinal course, also taken in fall and winter for 0 units) (1 unit)
- PT 700 (SFSU): Multisystem Pathokinesiology 1 (6 units)
- PT 742 (SFSU): Musculoskeletal Pathokinesiology II 1 (6 units)

Year 2

Summer:
- ANATOMY 207: Neuroscience (3 units)
- PHYS THER 218B: Therapeutic Exercise: Intermediate Exercise Prescription (1.5 units)
- PHYS THER 219B: Pain Science for the Physical Therapist II (1 unit)
- PHYS THER 251A: Research Design I: Introduction to Scientific Inquiry (3 units)
- PT 801 (SFSU): First Full-Time Clinical Education Experience I 1 (9 units)
Fall:
- PHYS THER 111: Neurology & Rehab Diagnosis and Treatment (3 units)
- PHYS THER 211: Pharmacology for Physical Therapists (2 units)
- PHYS THER 216A: Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence III (0.5 units)
- PHYS THER 251B: Research Design II: Appraisal of Scientific Literature (1 unit)
- PT 710 (SFSU): Neurological Pathokinesiology I 1 (6 units)
- PT 735 (SFSU): Psychosocial Issues in Rehabilitation Sciences, Part I 1 (3 units)
- PT 743 (SFSU): Musculoskeletal Pathokinesiology III 1 (4.5 units)
Winter:
- PHYS THER 400B: Grand Rounds (Longitudinal course, also taken in fall and spring for 0 units) (1 unit)
- PT 802 (SFSU): Intermediate Full-Time Clinical Education Experience II 1 (9 units)
Spring:
- PHYS THER 112B: Motor Control Across the Lifespan: Pediatrics (1.5 units)
- PHYS THER 205: Functional Anatomy Review (2 units)
- PHYS THER 210: Radiology for Physical Therapists (2 units)
- PHYS THER 216B: Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence IV (0.5 units)
- PHYS THER 419A: Research Seminar I (0.5 units)
- PT 737 (SFSU): Psychosocial Issues in Rehabilitation Science, Part II 1 (1.5 units)

Year 3

Summer:
- PHYS THER 209A: Evidence-Based Practice I: Intro to a Systematic Review (2 units)
- PHYS THER 213: Neurological Pathokinesiology II (2 units)
- PHYS THER 214: Administration and Organization in Physical Therapy (3 units)
- PHYS THER 419B: Research Seminar II (0.5 units)
- PT 704 (SFSU): Education, Health Promotion, Wellness, and Prevention in Physical Therapy 1 (3 units)
- PT 736 (SFSU): Ecological and Organizational Issues in Rehabilitation 1 (4.5 units)
- PT 908 (SFSU): Professional Colloquium 1 (1.5 units)
Fall:
- PHYS THER 209B: Evidence-Based Practice II: Developing a Systematic Review (1 unit)
- PHYS THER 218C: Therapeutic Exercise: Advanced Prescription & Manual Therapy (1.5 units)
- PHYS THER 419C: Research Seminar III (0.5 units)
- PT 711 (SFSU): Neurological Pathokinesiology III 1 (4.5 units)
Winter:
- PHYS THER 112C: Motor Control Across the Lifespan: Geriatrics (1.5 units)
- PHYS THER 207: Medical Screening for Physical Therapists (4 units)
- PHYS THER 218D: Therapeutic Exercise: Exercise for Special Populations (1.5 units)
- PHYS THER 400C: Grand Rounds (Longitudinal course, also taken in fall for 0 units) (1 unit)
Spring:
- PHYS THER 418: Terminal Clinical Experience (16 units)
- PT 910 (SFSU): Evidence Based Practice 1 (6 units)

Total Units: 154.5

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

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