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Degree Offered: Doctor of Physical Therapy
Program Leadership:
Amber Fitzsimmons, PT, MS, DPTSc
Professor and Chair, UCSF
Jeannette Q. Lee, PT, PhD, CLT, CSCS
Board Certified in Oncologic Physical Therapy
Professor and Chair, SFSU
Theresa Jaramillo, PT, MS, DPT
Vice Chair of Academic Programs, UCSF
DPT Associate Program Director, UCSF
Admissions Inquiries:
Mike Tressel, Admissions and Recruitment Specialist
Program Description
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.
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.
Find a program faculty list on the program website.
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. Additional information may be found on our Application & Admissions webpage.
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. More information can be found in Program, Student, and Graduate Goals on our website. 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 Graduate Division, administered by the UCSF School of Medicine, and delivered by faculty members in the UCSF School of Medicine and at San Francisco State University. Visit the program website for more information.
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.
Note: Previous SFSU Course Bulletins can be found in their course bulletin archive.
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1 |
Summer |
PHYS THER 200A |
Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy I |
4 |
PHYS THER 201 |
Physical Therapy Assessment: Principles and Practice |
3 |
| 1 |
3 |
| Units | 10 |
Fall |
PHYS THER 112A |
Motor Control Across the Lifespan: Motor Behavior |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 200B |
Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy II |
0.5 |
PHYS THER 202 |
Therapeutic Modalities |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 204A |
Pathophysiology for Physical Therapists I |
3 |
PHYS THER 215A |
Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence I |
0.5 |
PHYS THER 410 |
Integrated Clinical Experience |
1 |
| 1 |
6 |
| Units | 14 |
Winter |
PHYS THER 110 |
Ortho & Rehab Diag/Treatment |
2 |
PHYS THER 200C |
Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy III |
0.5 |
PHYS THER 204B |
Pathophysiology for Physical Therapists II |
2.5 |
| Units | 5 |
Spring |
PHYS THER 215B |
Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence II |
0.5 |
PHYS THER 218A |
Therapeutic Exercise: Beginning Exercise Prescription |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 219A |
Pain Science for the Physical Therapist I |
1 |
PHYS THER 400A |
Grand Rounds () |
1 |
| 1 |
6 |
| 1 |
6 |
| Units | 16 |
Year 2 |
Summer |
ANATOMY 207 |
Neuroscience |
3 |
PHYS THER 218B |
Therapeutic Exercise: Intermediate Exercise Prescription |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 219B |
Pain Science for the Physical Therapist II |
1 |
PHYS THER 251A |
Research Design I: Introduction to Scientific Inquiry |
3 |
| 1 |
9 |
| Units | 17.5 |
Fall |
PHYS THER 111 |
Neurology & Rehab Diagnosis and Treatment |
3 |
PHYS THER 211 |
Pharmacology for Physical Therapists |
2 |
PHYS THER 216A |
Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence III |
0.5 |
PHYS THER 251B |
Research Design II: Appraisal of Scientific Literature |
1 |
| 1 |
6 |
| 1 |
3 |
| 1 |
4.5 |
| Units | 20 |
Winter |
PHYS THER 400B |
Grand Rounds () |
1 |
| 1 |
9 |
| Units | 10 |
Spring |
PHYS THER 112B |
Motor Control Across the Lifespan: Pediatrics |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 205 |
Functional Anatomy Review |
2 |
PHYS THER 210 |
Radiology for Physical Therapists |
2 |
PHYS THER 216B |
Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, & Excellence IV |
0.5 |
PHYS THER 419A |
Research Seminar I |
0.5 |
| 1 |
1.5 |
| Units | 8 |
Year 3 |
Summer |
PHYS THER 209A |
Evidence-Based Practice I: Intro to a Systematic Review |
2 |
PHYS THER 213 |
Neurological Pathokinesiology II |
2 |
PHYS THER 214 |
Administration and Organization in Physical Therapy |
3 |
PHYS THER 419B |
Research Seminar II |
0.5 |
| 1 |
3 |
| 1 |
4.5 |
| 1 |
1.5 |
| Units | 16.5 |
Fall |
PHYS THER 209B |
Evidence-Based Practice II: Developing a Systematic Review |
1 |
PHYS THER 218C |
Therapeutic Exercise: Advanced Prescription & Manual Therapy |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 419C |
Research Seminar III |
0.5 |
| 1 |
4.5 |
| Units | 7.5 |
Winter |
PHYS THER 112C |
Motor Control Across the Lifespan: Geriatrics |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 207 |
Medical Screening for Physical Therapists |
4 |
PHYS THER 218D |
Therapeutic Exercise: Exercise for Special Populations |
1.5 |
PHYS THER 400C |
Grand Rounds () |
1 |
| Units | 8 |
Spring |
PHYS THER 418 |
Terminal Clinical Experience |
16 |
| 1 |
6 |
| Units | 22 |
| Total Units | 154.5 |