Physical Therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who assist patients with mobility problems and with the prevention of mobility problems. They examine each patient and develop a plan of care to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also promote health and wellness and serve as administrators, educators and consultants.
Physical therapists provide care in hospitals, private practices, out-patient facilities, home health agencies, schools, work settings, skilled nursing facilities and sports and fitness facilities.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) reports that the median salary for the 184,000 physical therapists licensed in the US today is $80,000.
After successful completion of an entry-level physical therapist degree, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. The California exam covers the practice of physical therapy and the state's laws governing physical therapy.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that need for physical therapists will grow 30% from 2008 to 2018. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the unemployment rate is 0.2%, the lowest rate since 1997.
The California Employment Development Department expects a 28.8% increase in need for PTs between 2008 and 2018. The expected increase for Los Angeles County is 35.6% (1,520 more jobs) and for Orange County 27.2% (460 more jobs).
California State University, Long Beach offers an entry-level physical therapy professional curriculum that leads to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.The first DPT class will begin studies in June, 2012. The last MPT class entered in fall, 2011 and will graduate in 2014.
Application/matriculation/employment information:
All 33 of the students who began the MPT curriculum in Fall, 2008 graduated with their class in 2010, passed their subsequent clinical internships and are in process of taking the licensing examination. All graduates passing the licensing examination who have applied for employment as physical therapists are employed as physical therapists.
Due to budget constraints only 16 students were accepted into the MPT class of 2014 in fall, 2011. The 2014 MPT class had 563 applicants of which 42 were offered a position in the class. 16 accepted and are matriculated.
32 students will be accepted into the DPT class of 2015 to be admitted in summer, 2012. Because the number of applicants is expected to exceed 32, admission is on a competititve basis.
DPT Cost:
In order to cover the costs of DPT education, Fees for the DPT are expected to be ~$24,000/year for three years.
Application Information:
To prepare for application into the program, students must follow an undergraduate program which includes appropriate physical, biological, and behavioral science prerequisite courses before applying to the program. Click on Prerequisite Courses in the left menu window for a prerequisite list. A minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical Writing portion of the General Aptitude Section of the GRE is required.
The department participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants applying to the department will apply online using the PTCAS application. The PTCAS application filing period begins the previous July 1 and the department application deadline for the DPT is November 1 for entrance into the program the following summer semester. To learn more about the PTCAS application process, please visit the PTCAS web site.
Applicants must simultaneously apply to the University by submitting a completed CSU Postbaccalaureate and Graduate Admissions Form available through the University's Office of Enrollment Services, Brotman Hall 101 or electronically at CSUMentor. The University application filing period begins the previous October 1 and the deadline is December 30 for entrance into the physical therapy program the following summer semester.
Application to the University is a separate process than application to the Physical Therapy program. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the Physical Therapy Program and admission to the Physical Therapy Program is contingent upon being accepted by the University. Contact the Office of Enrollment Services for University application information and requirements for acceptance to the University.
Required after acceptance:
After acceptance to the program, applicants must send a copy of adult CPR certification and a health statement from a physician to the department.
All students accepted into the program must attest that they can perform the essential functions required of physical therapy education and clinical practice outlined in the department's Essential Functions document.
In addition, technical literacy in word processing, use of spreadsheets and slide presentation programs (e.g.powerpoint) is expected.
Assistance in preparing to apply to the DPT program:
The Department of Physical Therapy strongly encourages you to attend one of the general advising sessions usually scheduled on the first Friday of each month (excluding official University or religious holidays). Click on Advisement Sessions in the left menu window for current dates.
