What is CSULB doing to advance to a DPT?
The CSU physical therapy program department chairpersons have been instrumental in a10-01-09 request from their respective University Presidents to CSU Chancellor Reed to support a bill for an Independent DPT this legislative session.
The Presidents had also been asked to respond to the CAPTE call for input on the proposed mandate for the DPT by 2015. CSU physical therapy department chaiarpersons also responded to the CAPTE call for input asking for an extended timeline on the mandate because of the budget crisis in Califonria.
If the mandate is approved for 2015, we will need to get this bill passed so that CSULB can continue to educate entry-level physical therapists in California.
CSULB is still discussing a joint DPT program with faculty at UCI but this does not look feasible in time to meet the proposed mandate of 2015. The joint program is contingent upon UCI establishing a new Department of Rehabilitation Science. Due to a change in administrators at UCI, the concept of a Department of Rehabilitation Science and joint DPT degree has not been advanced to their Faculty Senate as of Spring, 2009. The concept of a joint DPT degree with UCI passed the CSULB Faculty Senate in 2009.
What is the present alternative for our graduates?
Many graduates have earned t-DPT degrees. Local programs are available. We have been in communication with Western University to insure credit for our MPT courses towards their t-DPT degree. Two universities from which our graduates have earned distance-learning t-DPTs are Temple and Boston Universities.
