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California State University, Long Beach (A4, D5, F1, PU)
Last Updated by Program: 12/10/2009
Address: Department of Physical Therapy
College of Health and Human Services
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
Phone: (562)985-4072
Fax: (562)985-4069
Admissions/Student Inquiry Phone: (562)985-4072
Web Address: http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/chhs/departments/pt/
Program E-mail: Alrusso@csulb.edu
PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
Kay Cerny, PT, PhD
Department Chair
  
INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION:
 Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
 Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM ACCREDITATION:
 Date of Initial Accreditation: May 1968
 Current Accreditation Status: Accreditation
 Next Visit 2011
 Five Year History: Accreditation
DEGREE CONFERRED:Master of Physical Therapy
GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The program is a four-semester plus one summer session MPT curriculum (60 semester units) that begins after completing two semesters plus one summer of upper division/graduate pre-requisites (26 units). The 26 units, in essence, constitute the first year of a 3-year program. Graduate students, therefore, are accepted into the program to begin the upper division/graduate pre-requisite courses. Students earning their undergraduate degree at CSULB are able to shorten the duration of the program by approximately one year by taking some of the 26 pre-requisite units as part of their undergraduate degree. Once prerequisites are completed, accepted students begin the professional program the following fall semester. A 24-week full-time affiliation follows graduation (12 semester units). The curriculum is competency-based (performance-based) and emphasizes an integration of basic and clinical sciences to produce clinicians with skills in problem solving and clinical decision making for evidenced based practice. Typically, students will be in class for approximately 22 hours per week (for 15weeks) each semester. This may include weekly clinical laboratories at a near-by hospital. A student research project/thesis under the direction of a faculty sponsor and successful completion of a comprehensive examination are required for graduation.
 
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES:
Students complete 2 semesters of on campus, faculty-supervised practice with persons having neurological disorders, 6 weeks of full-time internship in the summer between years of the MPT curriculum, and 24-weeks of full-time internship after graduation. Clinical facilities are located throughout California. Some out of state facilities are available.
 
FACULTY:
The program employs eight full-time and eight to eleven part time faculty. Five of the full-time faculty hold Ph.D. degrees, one holds a post-professional DPT degree, one is studying in a Ph.D. program, two are certified clinical specialists, 2 are licensed in clinical and/or kinesiologic electromyography and one is engaged in clinical practice. All but four part-time faculty are engaged in clinical practice.
 
ENROLLMENT:
36,800 students are enrolled at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Over 6000 are graduate students. Of these, approximately 130 are currently in the physical therapist education program. Up to forty students are admitted yearly (fall enrollment), drawn from a pool of 120-180 applicants.
 
ADMISSION:
The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree is open to all college graduates with a bachelor’s degree who have met prerequisite requirements and demonstrate academic promise to perform at a satisfactory level during their graduate studies. The CSULB Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Physiology Option, or in Kinesiology, Exercise Science Option are best suited for preparation for the MPT program because most prerequisite courses fall within the degree requirements. Lower division prerequisites are 10 units of general chemistry, 8 units of general physics, 12 units of specific biological sciences, 3 units each of general psychology and biostatistics, and 4 units of human morphology (or lower division anatomy). Upper division/graduate pre-requisites are 3 units each of pathology, physiology (emphasizing cardiac, renal, and respiratory systems), tissue mechanics and aging, and psychology of disability, 4 units each of physiology (emphasizing neural, muscular, and endocrine systems) and neuroanatomy and 6 units of applied anatomy. Contact our Graduate Advisor, Olfat Mohamed, at osm@csulb.edu or our Department Coordinator, Gloria Dacanay, at gdacanay@csulb.edu for information on prerequisite equivalences and other admission requirements. Most upper division/graduate prerequisite courses may be offered only at CSULB. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), documented volunteer/work related clinical experience (not to exceed 200 hours), and letters of recommendation also are required. Students admitted for fall, 2009 have an average GPA of 3.39/4.0 and average prerequisite GPA of 3.36 The average age of these students is 26 years.
 
OUTCOMES:
95% of the class of 2007 have graduated and passed the licensure examination. All licensed graduates seeking employment have found employment.
 
TUITION, FEES AND FINANCIAL AID:
Effective fall 2009, the graduate tuition and registration fees are $6462/year for California residents. Tuition for out-of-state and international students is $12,660/year. Annual institutional fees in the program are $687 and program related expenses total about $5000 for new books, supplies and laboratory fees. Total costs for the program is under $22,000 for in-state students and under $43,000 for out-of-state students. Room and board averages $10,250 per year for new students. Institutional, federal, and state funding is available on an awards basis. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid office at (562) 985-8403 or at www.csulb.edu/enrollment.
 
STUDENT LIFE:
CSULB is a beautiful, multicultural, urban university on 322 acres located within 5 miles of the Pacific Ocean. Most students commute to the University although some housing is available on campus. Intercollegiate athletics for men include baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball, and water polo. For women, sporting activities include basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, swimming, tennis, track, soccer, and volleyball. The Long Beach airport is within 3 miles of campus and public transportation is available in the Long Beach area although most students prefer using an automobile.

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