California State University, Long Beach offers an entry-level physical therapy professional curriculum that leads to the Master's in Physical Therapy (MPT) degree. Students must follow an undergraduate program which includes appropriate physical, biological, and behavioral sciences before applying to the program.
Approximately (32-36) students per year are admitted to the Master's in Physical Therapy curriculum. CSULB graduate applicants who have completed the upper division/graduate level pre-requisites are admitted to directly enter the MPT curriculum. Graduates from other universities are admitted to take the upper division/graduate level prerequisites and then advance to the MPT curriculum the following year after successful completion of these courses. Because the number of applicants exceeds the number that can be accepted, admission is on a competitive basis.
Beginning with the class entering in 2010, the department will participate in the Physical Therapist Centralized application Service, known as PTCAS. Applicants applying to the department will apply online using the PTCAS application. The PTCAS application filing period begins the previous July 15 and the department deadline is January 15 for entrance into the program the following fall semester.. To learn more about the PTCAS application process, please visit the PTCAS web site. In addition to the PTCAS application, the applicant must send official GRE scores directly to the department as well as to the University (see below for University application) and send a copy of adult CPR certification and a health statement from a physician to the department.
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 January 15 for entrance into the program the following fall semester.
Please be aware that 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.
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 Ssessions in the left menu window for current dates.
