UCSF University of California, San Francisco      About UCSF       Search UCSF       UCSF Medical Center     
School of Medicine  
 
Print This Page For Normal View, Click Here For Larger Font Sizes', Click Here

See Also
 UCSF
 SFSU
 MS-DPT
 Post Prof DPT
 DPTSc
 Admissions
 FAQs
 Fees
 Resources
 Schedules
 Lectures
 Wellness Program

APTA Logo
 
 
PT Rehab
About the Department
Program Information and Application
Continuing Education
Research
Neurobehavioral Core for Rehab Research (NCRR)
Patient Care
Health and Wellness Center

Frequently Asked Questions

We realize that many of you know the answers to these questions already, but we thought it would be helpful to give you brief answers to the type of questions we are asked daily. Please read through these questions carefully. If, at the end, your questions have still not been answered, please sign up for one of the informational meetings that are offered below.

Note: It is suggested that prior to scheduling an individual advising appointment, you first attend a group advising session. Contact SFSU at (415) 338-2001.

Application Procedure

  1. What is the deadline for the program?
  2. How many people apply to the MS-DPT Program?
  3. When is the application available?
  4. How many applications do I need to submit?
  5. What is the minimum overall GPA?
  6. Is there an application fee?
  7. Do I need to submit official transcripts with the application materials?
  8. Is there an interview and when?
  9. When does the program begin?
  10. If I'm denied admission can I reapply?
  11. If reapply, do I need to resubmit an application, letters of recommendation, pre-physical therapy patient-related forms and GRE scores again?

Prerequisites

  1. Do I need to have prerequisites finished before I apply?
  2. When do I need to complete all the required prerequisites?
  3. Which prerequisite courses can I take at the community college?
  4. Which prerequisite courses should I take at a four-year institution?
  5. I took an Anatomy and Physiology combined course. Will this satisfy the prerequisite?
  6. How do I know if a course I took at another school is equivalentto UCSF/SFSU prerequisites?
  7. What is the equivalent California Articulation Number (CAN) for the required prerequisites? See http://www.cansystem.org
  8. If my prerequisite coursework is more than 5 years old, will you accept it?
  9. Can I repeat the same course to improve a "C" grade?
  10. How many quarter/semester units of courses can I repeat?
  11. Do I need to list courses taken for Pass/Not Pass?
  12. What is a Baccalaureate Degree?
  13. What is post baccalaureate undergraduate Coursework?
  14. Do you accept online courses?

Program Advising Schedule

Application Procedure



1. What is the deadline for the program?

Effective for June, 2009 admission, you must complete TWO applications which are submitted separately, but in parallel.

1. The PTCAS Application : Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

Visit the PTCAS web site at www.ptcas.org for application instructions and a list of participating PT programs.

2. The UCSF Supplemental Application : Information that is required by the UCSF Graduate Division Office and the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy to complete the comprehensive process of evaluation. Please visit the web site at https://graduate.ucsf.edu/application/apply/msdpt/2009/ for application instructions. The fee for submission of this supplemental application is $60.

The deadline for BOTH applications has been extended to October 31st, 2008 (midnight). No extension of this deadline will be granted.

2. How many people apply to the MS-DPT program?

We receive between 150 to 200 + applications each year. A maximum of 32 students are admitted each Summer.

3. When is the application available?

Applications are available on line from August through October 1st from the following Graduate Program in Physical Therapy website:

MS-DPT
To apply: click PTCAS Application, and also UCSF Supplemental Application.

Post Professional DPT
http://ptrehab.medschool.ucsf.edu/Education/DPT/PostProfDPT.aspx

DPTSc
http://ptrehab.medschool.ucsf.edu/Education/DPTSc/DPTSc.aspx

4. How many applications do I need to submit?

There are two applications for an initial screening: PTCAS application and our supplemented application. If you are granted an interview, you will be given instructions on initiating the SFSU application process.

5. What is the minimum overall GPA?

Both UCSF and SFSU Graduate Divisions require an overall GPA of a 3.0.

6. Is there an application fee?

Yes. To apply for Summer 2009 admission, all applicants must complete TWO applications, which will be submitted separately but in parallel to Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) and a supplemental application to UCSF.

PTCAS fee is $120.00 (www.ptcas.og). UCSF Supplemental application fee is $60.00. (https://graduate.ucsf.edu/application/apply/msdpt/2009/). For SFSU - only applicants actually admitted to the program pay its $55.00 application fee and complete the SFSU application.

7. Do I need to submit official transcripts with the application materials?

Yes. Official copies of transcripts from each college or university you have attended are required for the PTCAS.

8. Is there an interview and when?

Yes, the top 60-80 applicants will be invited for an interview. One Academic/Clinical faculty paired with one second-year PT student will interview applicants. Interviews will be held on the second* Saturday of February.

*Date subject to change by admissions committee without notice.

9. When does the program begin?

The MS-DPT program begins in the summer (early or mid June) of each year.

10. If I’m denied admission can I reapply?

Yes, students who are denied admission can re-apply for a subsequent academic year.

11. If I reapply, do I need to resubmit an application, letters of recommendation, pre-physical therapy patient-related forms and GRE scores again?

Yes, all students who want to reapply must resubmit a new PTCAS application and pay the PTCAS and UCSF application fees again. Previous letters of recommendation and pre-physical therapy patient-related forms and GRE scores can be reused if desired. Repeat applicants should highlight what they have done to improve their eligibility for the program since the previous application and are encouraged to submit at least one new or updated letter of recommendation. You may only apply three times for admission.

Prerequisites



1. Do I need to have prerequisites finished before I apply?

Applicants should have completed at least 80% of the prerequisite courses prior to submitting applications.

2. When do I need to complete all the required prerequisites?

All of the required course must be completed by the spring quarter/semester prior to entry in the summer.

3. Which prerequisites courses can I take at the community college?

General Chemistry, General Physics, Microbiology/Cell Biology/Histology, Abnormal Psychology, and Statistics prerequisites can be taken at any community college. Please check www.assist.org to determine the equivalence of the community college courses to similar courses at either a CSU or UC school.

4. Which prerequisites courses should I take at a four-year institution?

Human Anatomy/Lab., Human Physiology/Lab. However, these courses taken at a community college will be accepted as well.



5. I took an Anatomy and Physiology combined course. Will this satisfy the prerequisite?

Combined Anatomy/Physiology course is acceptable only if Human Anatomy is not available. The combined course must be a full year of study and must include laboratory.

6. How do I know if a course I took at another school is equivalent to UCSF/SFSU prerequisites?

For coursework taken at a California Community College please check www.assist.org or http://www.cansystem.org. to determine the equivalence of the community college courses to similar courses at either a CSU or UC school. If coursework was taken at a private school, or an out-of-state school please attend an informational meeting at SFSU and/or consult an advisor within the Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy.

7. What is the equivalent California Articulation Number (CAN) for the required prerequisites? See http://www.cansystem.org

CAN CHEM SEQ A = General inorganic Chemistry w/ lab. (1 yr.)

CAN PHYS SEQ A = General Physics w/ lab. (1 yr.)

CAN STAT 2 = Intro to Statistics

CAN BIOL 10 = Human Anatomy w/ lab

CAN BIOL 12 = Human Physiology w/ lab or CAN BIOL SEQ B = Combined Human Anatomy and Human Physiology w/ Lab

CAN BIOL 14 = Microbiology

8. If my prerequisite coursework is more than five (5) years old, will you accept it?

Yes. However, if prerequisite coursework is more than five years old, students are encouraged to take additional science or highly recommended courses to demonstrate their current scholastic abilities.



9. Can I repeat the same course to improve a “C” grade?

No. “C” is consider a passing grade. Courses repeated to improve a “C” grade cannot be included in the calculation of the GPA.

10. How many quarter/semester units of courses can I repeat?

An applicant may repeat up to 16 quarter/10.5 semester units of “D” or “F” at the same institution. Calculate only the repeat grade in the grade point average. Repeated courses must be marked with an asterisk (*).

11. Do I need to list courses taken for Pass/Not Pass?

You must include all courses, whether taken for a grade or Pass/Not Pass. Do not compute the units received for Pass/Not Pass coursework when you calculate your GPA.

12. What is a Baccalaureate Degree?

This means undergraduate bachelor’s degree.

13. What is post baccalaureate undergraduate Coursework?

These are undergraduate courses taken after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree.

14. Do you accept online courses?

Online courses are generally not acceptable. However, for special situations, online courses must be approved by the Director or Admissions Chair BEFORE you may use them to fulfill a prerequisite.

 

Updated: October 10, 2008
    Patient Contact Info     Education Contact Info     ©UC Regents