California Physical Therapy School Program

California Physical Therapy School Program wcu.edu 

California Physical Therapy School Program

School of Physical Therapy in California with a Degree Program Info

More or less There are 21 colleges in California that have physical therapy programs. Read the overview of the 10 school programs, requirements, and biggest school info and find out which school is right for you.

Important information

An accredited physical therapy program that prepares students for licensing exams is available at universities and colleges throughout California. These schools usually provide Doctor of Physical Therapy, although a master's degree program is available. Requirements for this postgraduate level program include clinical internships and residencies. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program takes about three years to complete and acceptance for this program to compete.

Azusa Pacific University

This university at Azusa offers a physical therapy program. This program is an initial level Physician Physics program, and it takes 34 months to complete. Students take courses in pathophysiology, neuroscience and sports physiology. Clinical internships, residencies and capstone courses are needed.

California State University - Fresno

The department of physical therapy at California State University in Fresno offers entry-level doctoral programs that include radiology courses, patient care, pharmacology and prosthetics. The university also has two clinics located on campus. In 2009-2011, 89% of graduates passed the licensing exam on their first trial.

California State University - Long Beach

This university in Long Beach offers a beginner-level doctoral degree program in physical therapy. This program combines didactic courses with clinical experience. Students take courses such as musculoskeletal disorders, neuromuscular examinations, pediatric management and geriatric management. This program takes three years to complete.

California State University - Northridge

Located in Northridge, this university provides a three-year doctoral degree program in physical therapy. Applicants must have 200 hours of clinical experience under a licensed physical therapist. Only 32 students are accepted each year in this full-time program. The curriculum combines academic learning with clinical experience. Classes include medical screening, biomechanics and medical imaging. Students are required to complete a research project and comprehensive examination.

California State University - Sacramento

This school in Sacramento offers doctoral degrees in physical therapy. Students can take advantage of medical facilities, which include a simulation laboratory for the treatment of acute patients. The program includes 36 weeks of clinical internships, doctoral projects and postgraduate seminars. In the last three years, 97% of all graduates passed the licensing exam.

Chapman University

Located in Orange, Chapman University offers a doctoral degree in physical therapy that takes three years to complete. Students take courses in developmental anatomy, motor control, clinical pathology and neurophysiology. They also participate in 44-50 weeks of clinical experience. In 2011, 100% of graduates passed the licensing exam on their first trial.

California Physical Therapy School Program verywelhealth.com

Loma Linda University

Located in Loma Linda, this school provides four graduate programs in physical therapy. The first entry-level program is Doctor of Physical Therapy. It takes three years to complete, and students study topics such as sports physiology and kinesiology. The post-professional study program is a Masters in Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Physical Therapy. The master's degree program focuses on neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation. The doctoral degree program is clinically focused and can take 11-18 months to complete.

Finally, the Doctor of Philosophy program in the Physical Therapy program is available for licensed physical therapists who are interested in research and academics. Applicants for this program must have a bachelor's and master's degree. Dissertations and written examinations are needed.

San Francisco State University

This university in San Francisco and the University of California at San Francisco offers two physical therapy programs at the entry and post-professional level. The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program takes 36 months to complete. Only 42-50 students are accepted into this program at once.

The other program is a post-professional doctorate in Physical Therapy Sciences. It is designed for doctors who want to study specialization, complete research and improve their skills. The program lasts 27-36 months full time, and students can study neuroscience, musculoskeletal therapy, and kinesiology.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles offers a doctoral physical therapy program that can be completed in three years. The acceptance of this program is competitive; of 1,200 applicants, only 94 students are accepted into the program every year. The school offers a mentoring program for physical therapy students who pair students with a faculty mentor who meets students at least once during each semester. Students study the topics of disease, therapeutic exercises, musculoskeletal anatomy, and clinical imaging.

Students who already have a physical therapy degree can study in a post-professional program. This program provides one year of clinical experience. Students can complete residencies specifically in the fields of child health, sports physical therapy, and others.

University of the Pacific

The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pacific based in Stockton has eight full-time teaching staff members. The doctoral physical therapy degree program teaches students about patient examinations, patient education and therapeutic processes. Students also study pediatric physical therapy, musculoskeletal physical therapy, advanced clinical problems and electrotherapy. Clinical observations and internships are also needed in this program. In 2009-2011, graduates had a 99% graduation rate for licensing exams.

California Physical Therapy School Program blog.chapman.edu

Career Requirements

To become a physical therapist in California, students must complete an accredited postgraduate program in physical therapy and pass the national / regional licensing exam. Licenses are maintained through continuing education.

CSU Physical Therapy Doctoral Degree Program

Why Doctoral Degree in CSU Physical Therapy?

Explore CSU's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program, which offers high-quality post-bachelor physical therapist education.

The DPT CSU program is designed to allow students to:

- Engage with physical therapy faculty experts and highly educated students in challenging doctoral programs

- Learn evidence-based practices and critical thinking skills that will become the foundation for lifelong professional development

- Participate in clinical experience with practicing experts throughout the state

- Carry out doctoral projects to develop advanced scientific knowledge and practical expertise

- Who are we and what we do

As a licensed health care professional, a physical therapist (PT):

diagnose and manage movement dysfunction, and improve physical and functional abilities;

- restore, maintain and promote not only optimal physical function, but also optimal health and fitness, and an optimal quality of life related to movement and health; and

- prevent the occurrence, symptoms, and development of disorders, functional limitations and disabilities that may arise from illness, disorder, condition or injury.

There are more than 120,000 licensed physical therapists in the US, practicing in various settings:

- outpatient clinic

- inpatient rehabilitation facilities

- skilled nursing facilities

- private residence

- education and research center

- child care arrangements

- school

- industrial environment and other work

- fitness center

- sports training facilities