MS - DPT
(Entry Level Program to become a Practicing Clinician)

A student applying to become a physical therapist applies to the MS-DPT Program. This is a 3 year program (36 months) including 24 weeks of full time clinical affiliations and 10 weeks of part time clinical affiliations. The MSPT program is accredited by the APTA Commission on Physical Therapy Education. It received full accreditation for ten year accreditation when the site was visited in 2001.

In the MS-DPT Program, the student completes 27 months of study, sits for the National Licensing Examination and then continues in the Postprofessional DPT Program (9 months). While studying in the DPT, it is possible for students to work part time.

This program is designed to prepare scholarly clinicians, educators, collaborative clinical researchers, administrative managers and community leaders. The program accepts 28-32 students and requires 36 months of study (including summers).

The curriculum is built on a strong theoretical foundation in basic, medical and applied sciences. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning are woven into all aspects of the program and creative problem solving skills are developed to work with patients to mitigate disability, optimize function and maintain positive health.

The graduates are well prepared to pass the National Licensing Examination and are considered top applicants for positions in physical therapy. The third year extends learning in the area of muscle and nerve biology, biomechanics and motor control. It also develops the skills to build the evidence base of practice, public policy, health care economics and ethics. The students extend their skills in practice and learn how to prepare and present a case report.

Online Application for Summer 2009 will be Available from 7/01/08 - 10/01/08

Deadline to Apply for Class Entering in Summer 2009 is 10/01/08

You are encouraged to start assembling the Letters of Recommendation and Pre PT forms early. You must provide a self-addressed envelope (SASE) to the evaluator/therapist. Ask them to place the completed form in the envelope, seal it, and sign across the seal. The Evaluator/therapist should return the sealed envelope to you. When you recieve all three letters and forms, please send them to:

UCSF Graduate Program in Physical Therapy Office,
Box 0736,
San Francisco, CA 94143-0736

Letter of Recommendation Form Summer 2008
Previous PT Experience Form Summer 2008