Clinical Education

Only students accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program may register for DPT clinical education courses. Clinical Education includes internships and on-site integrated clinical experiences.

All students accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program must complete the following Clinical Education requirements to fulfill requirements for their degree:

  • DPT 784: 12-week clinical experience in summer Year 3
  • DPT 785: 12-week clinical internship in fall/winter Year 3
  • DPT 786: 12-week clinical internship in spring year 3

In addition, DPT students participate in the following on -campus clinics:

  • DPT 780A: 6-week ortho clinic in summer of Year 2
  • DPT 782: Fall semester neuro clinic in Year 2
  • DPT 783: Spring semester neuro clinic in Year 2
  • DPT 780B: 6 week ortho clinic fall Year 3

Clinical Placements

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) secures all internship locations for students. If you are interested in becoming an internship site, please contact the CSULB DCE: Stephanie Malaspina, PT, DPT.

All students must complete clinical experiences in inpatient and outpatient settings. Potential settings include:

  • Inpatient acute
  • Inpatient rehabilitation
  • Inpatient skilled nursing facility (SNF)
  • Inpatient pediatrics
  • Outpatient orthopedics (private practice or hospital-based)
  • Outpatient sports orthopedics (private practice)
  • Outpatient mix (combination of orthopedics and neurology or women’s health or lymphedema)
  • Outpatient pediatrics (private practice or California Children’s Services)
  • Outpatient neurology

Pre-clinical Requirements