To be eligible for admission to the UCSF/SFSU MS-DPT Program, a student must:

1. All applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and must meet the Graduate School Requirements of the University of California and the California State University. More specifically, students must have an overall baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 and an overall GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 sem/90 qtr units in order to be eligible for admission to the UCSF Graduate Division and the SFSU College of Health & Human Services.
   
   Although any undergraduate major is acceptable, for students in the initial stages of undergraduate preparation, a major in kinesiology or the biological sciences tends to be the most direct route into a physical therapy program. Academic success is an important criteria for admission. Students must have above-average standing in the basic sciences and in the specified prerequisites (listed below), as well as in their overall grade point averages. Students who do not have a strong science background should take additional science courses to demonstrate an ability to succeed in science-based course work. Interested applicants should:
   
   
2. Have at least a 3.0 grade point average in baccalaureate studies and in overall college course work in the basic sciences including the prerequisites specified below.
   
   
3. Be able to demonstrate understanding of the work and profession of physical therapy, gained through a minimum of 150 hours of paid or volunteer experience in a variety of settings under the supervision of a physical therapist in the United States.
   

 

4. All students must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores including verbal, quantitative sections, and analytical sections. These must be no more than five years old. The minimum GRE scores are 450 (Verbal), 500 (Quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical). Official scores: The official record of the GRE score must be received by the UCSF Graduate Program office by October 1st of the year the application is submitted. Please use Institution code #4840, and Department code #0619 on your request.
   
   Scores will be considered in conjunction with other criteria in assessing the applicant's probability of success in the program.
   

5. We require three strong letters of recommendation regarding potential to complete the program and personal compatibility with physical therapy as a profession.
   
   
6. Application Process, includes:
   Application materials will be carefully evaluated and those applicants who best meet the screening criteria will be invited for an interview. At the time of the interview, the applicant will write a short essay for assessment of literacy skills. Applicants will also be asked to complete the graduate application forms for SFSU which will be sent to students prior to the interview date.
   
   
7. Upon notice of admission to the program, applicants must pay a deposit of $200 to hold a place in the class. The deposit will be applied toward the first year Fall registration. Applicants who do not submit the deposit by the stated date will be denied admission.

Clinical Experience

All applicants must be able to demonstrate some understanding of the work and profession of physical therapy gained through a minimum of 150 hours of paid or volunteer experience in a variety (e.g. outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitation) of physical therapy settings working under the direct supervision of a physical therapist in the United States. While PT experience may continue after your application has been filed, you must have 150 hour minimum completed prior to the submission of your application. Extensive clinical experience, while valuable, will not overcome a weak academic record. You must submit a validation of all pre-PT patient related experience with your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are required from three individuals who personally know you and your abilities. AT LEAST ONE RECOMMENDATION MUST BE FROM A PHYSICAL THERAPIST. Physicians, current teachers of basic science (anatomy and physiology), other health professionals or employers are suggested for the two other letters of recommendation.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT PROFILE

There are many fine applicants to the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. Successful applicants have demonstrated strong academic and standardized test scores, remarkable personal qualities for human service, interest, and experience working in the profession of physical therapy and rehabilitation, awareness of the role of research and the political and socio-economic issues that impact health care as well as the mental and physical stamina for an intense and rigorous program of study. Additionally, they have 1) completed all prerequisite coursework; 2) completed a majority of the “highly recommended” courses or additional science coursework in excess of the minimum requirements; 3) attained at least a 3.3 GPA (overall, in the basic sciences, and in the prerequisite coursework; 4) completed more than 150 hours of experience working in a variety of settings under the supervision of a physical therapist (work under an athletic trainer or other health care practitioner may be valuable but is not acceptable as clinical experience hours); 5) participated in research activities; and 6) presented evidence of community involvement and work with the underserved or underprivileged.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must meet the first level of proficiency in written English as a condition of admission to the Physical Therapy Program. Evaluation of writing skills will be based upon an essay written at the time of the applicant's scheduled interview. The second level of written English proficiency will be demonstrated through papers and manuscripts prepared during the student's final semester in the M.S. program.