You are in the official 2003-2004 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physical Therapy
Interdisciplinary Pre-Health
and Rehabilitation Professions Education
The B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers preprofessional options in Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy and Pre-Rehabilitation Services. These degree options prepare students to meet the prerequisite requirements of graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Rehabilitation Counseling.
In addition to the major, a minor in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is recommended for students pursuing career paths in other health and human service professions, such as nursing, communicative disorders, health science, dietetics, dentistry, chiropractic, medicine, optometry, clinical psychology and counseling.
B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The major is designed to prepare undergraduate university students with prerequisite coursework, knowledge, attitudes and skills that will help them to gain admission to and succeed in graduate programs in the rehabilitation and health professions.
Rehabilitation professionals provide specialized services that enhance the function, self-care, mobility, vocational potential, communication or adaptive skills of persons with disabilities. Their services may result in an individual post head-injury being able to live independently in the community, an elderly person following hip fracture being able to ascend a flight of stairs, or an individual with a visual impairment being able to walk to a bus stop independently to go to work. They may fabricate equipment to enable a person with an amputation to walk, or a person with quadriplegia to control their environment in the absence of movement. Professional education for rehabilitation professions requires graduate education.
The needs of the health care market are changing. These changes require that entering health professionals be not only aware of practice strategies to maximize resources and contain costs, but also deliver a variety of interrelated services that meet the client's needs. Integrated service delivery models require a different type of education, where professionals receive training in collaborative processes, sharing goals for patients and clients. Such goals can be met through an interdisciplinary program which introduces the student to the practice of numerous professions, allows for practical observations and mentoring and enables the student to form role concepts which incorporate interdisciplinary work rather than a solo professional track.
A major in Interdisciplinary Heath and Rehabilitation Sciences requires a minimum of 63 units of study, which includes completion of the 33 unit core and one option (30-45 units). The General Education requirement, special course requirements, and electives complete a total of at least 124 units required for the B.S.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Major
The IHRS major requires 33 units of core coursework from several disciplines. Core course content includes professional, developmental, health, ethical, psychosocial and behavioral issues related to aging, illness, and disability.
A major in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences requires a minimum of 63 units of study, which includes completion of the 33 unit core and one option (30-45 units). The General Education requirement, special course requirements, and electives complete a total of at least 124 units required for the B.S. degree.
Note: Students may not fulfill option requirements with courses taken to fulfill core requirements.
Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Major Requirements (63-78)
Core Program
(required of all options) (33 units)
Lower-Division Requirement
HS 92 (3 units)
Upper-Division Requirements
HHS 10 or PHTH 102 or COUN 102; GERON 115 or HS 115; HS 114; PSYCH 169 or
RLS 125; PHTH 105, 106, 107, 127 (24 units)
Select 6 units from the following:
CSD 91 or 92, 80; CLS 101; GERON 10; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; HS 90, 131,
182, 190; KlNES 118, 137; RLS 101, 142; PHTH 190; SWRK 20, 135 (6 units)
Select one of the following options (30-45 units)
Pre-Occupational Therapy Option (37-38 units)
ART 60 or 70; ANTH 2; COUN 174; PHYAN 64 or PHTH 119; PHYAN 65; PHYS 2A;
PSYCH 10; PSYCH 155 or CFS 38; PSYCH 166
Select a minimum of 6 units from the following: UNIV 1, CSD 91 or 92, 80;
CLS 101; GERON 10; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; HS 90, 131, 141, 182, 190; KlNES
118, 137, 163; RLS 101, 142; PHTH 190; SPAN 1A or 1B; SWRK 20, 135
Pre-Physical Therapy Option (45 units)
CHEM 3A, 3B; NURS 124; PHTH 119, 125, 126; PHYAN 65, 140; PHYS 2A, 2B; PSYCH
10
Select a minimum of 6 units from the following: UNIV 1, CSD 91 or 92, 80;
CLS 101; GERON 10; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; HS 90, 131, 141, 182, 190; KlNES
118, 137, 163; RLS 101, 142; PHTH 190; SPAN 1A or 1B; SWRK 20, 135
Pre-Rehabilitation Services Option (30-31
units)
COUN 174 or PSYCH 154; COUN 176 or PSYCH 166; HS 110, 111; PHTH 119 or PHYAN
64; PHYAN 65; PSYCH 10
Select a minimum of 6 units from the following: UNIV 1, CSD 91 or 92, 80;
CLS 101; GERON 10; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; HS 90, 131, 141, 182, 190; KlNES
118, 137, 163; RLS 101, 142; PHTH 190; SPAN 1A or 1B; SWRK 20, 135
General Education requirements (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (1-16 units*)
(See Degree Requirements); includes upper-division
writing skills
Total (124 units)
__________
*This total indicates that 3 units of PSYCH 10 in G.E. Breadth D3 and one of the following G.E. courses are being applied to the IHRS major: CHEM 3A or PHYS 2A (B1); CSD 92 or SPAN 1B (C2); GERON 10, CFS 38, HS 90, or SW 20 (E1).
Students seeking admission to the bachelor of science degree program may apply at any point in their undergraduate program. Majors in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (IHRS) must be in good standing with the university and must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 after admission to the major. This is a minimum as the GPA requirements for admission to graduate programs in the rehabilitation professions may be considerably higher. To enroll in upper division courses, students must have already taken designated lower division courses. Students must meet prerequisite requirements for individual courses.
This curriculum is intended to prepare the student with an interdisciplinary perspective to enter graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitation counseling. There may be additional requirements for admission to graduate programs.
Students are required to see an adviser in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences for assistance in planning the major.
Minor in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The minor is designed to introduce undergraduate university students with the concepts of rehabilitation and health care to augment a pre-professional program of study for students seeking careers in the health field.
Minor Requirements
The IHRS minor requires 24 units of core coursework from several disciplines. This coursework is intended to prepare the student with an interdisciplinary perspective to enter any health profession. Core course content includes professional, developmental, health, ethical, psychosocial and behavioral issues related to aging, illness, and disability.
CORE:
Lower-Division Requirement (3 units)
HS 92
Upper-Division Requirements (15 units)
HHS 10 or PHTH 102, GERON 115 or HS 115, PHTH 105, PHTH 106, PHTH 107
Elective Requirements (6 units)
Students must select electives from the following pool:
CSD 91/92, 80; CLS 101; GERON 10; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; HS 90, 131, 182,
190; KINES 118, 137; PHTH 190; RLS 101, 142, SWRK 20, 135
Total required units (24 units)
Students seeking admission to the minor in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (IHRS) may apply at any point in their undergraduate program. Students who minor in lnterdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (IHRS) must be in good standing with the university and must maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 after admission to the minor. This is a minimum, as the GPA requirements for admission to graduate programs in the rehabilitation professions may be considerably higher. To enroll in upper division courses, students must have already taken designated lower division courses. Students must meet prerequisite requirements for individual courses.
Students are required to see an adviser in interdisciplinary health and rehabilitation sciences for assistance in planning the minor.
Note: The IHRS Minor also requires 6 upper-division units in residence.
Master of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy practice today is based on a well-developed body of scientific and clinical knowledge. Physical therapists apply knowledge from the basic, behavioral, and social sciences. Physical therapists must also demonstrate effective communication skills. Insight and sensitivity to the unique needs of diverse populations is essential to effectively maximize the individual's functional potential in society.
The physical therapy student will be educated with a thorough knowledge base and will be capable of critical thinking, ethical practice, and service to meet the changing needs of society. Students learn effective analysis and interpretation of data with which to diagnose neuromusculoskeletal movement dysfunction, make treatment-planning decisions, and predict outcomes based on sound research principles.
The graduate will be prepared to assume the multidimensional roles of the master clinician, including patient care, education, consultation, and administration of physical therapy services in the broad spectrum of physical therapy practice settings and across the broad age spectrum from neonates to geriatrics.
Individuals must possess a baccalaureate degree and complete all prerequisite requirements prior to beginning the professional major. Following successful completion of the professional curriculum, the student receives the M.P.T.
Completion of a postgraduate internship is required to be eligible to seek a license to practice physical therapy in the state of California.
At present, the program is a six semester full-time course of study that prepares students for entry-level practice in a variety of clinical settings. The curriculum design is a regional integrated approach to patient management with special emphasis on problem solving. Substantial revisions in the master's program are being considered and will be implemented no later than the fall semester of 2003. Students preparing for admission are advised to stay closely in touch with the program for details. Changes will be distributed in brochures as they are finalized and posted on the department's Website at http://www.csufresno.edu/physicaltherapy.
Admissions to Master of Physical Therapy Graduate Program
Students are only admitted in the fall semester. Students should apply to the program in the fall prior to anticipated entry into the Physical Therapy Program. Admission to the Master of Physical Therapy program requires two applications: (1) the California State University Graduate Application, which can be submitted online at http://www.csumentor.edu, and (2) the Physical Therapy Department application, which can be downloaded from the department web site at http://www.csufresno.edu/physicaltherapy. Review the Graduate Studies section in this catalog for graduate admissions information.
Postbaccalaureate students may apply to the university as "postbaccalaureate undeclared" to pursue prerequisite courses. For these postbaccalaureate applicants, only the CSU Graduate Application, indicating "Undeclared" as the major/objective, should be submitted.
Physical Therapy Applications are available: July 1.
Physical Therapy Application Filing Period: October 1 through November 30.
Students seeking admission to the Master of Physical Therapy program must submit applications to both the Division of Graduate Studies and the Department of Physical Therapy. A complete application includes an information application, an official transcript from each institution attended including previous spring and summer terms, official GRE test scores, observation verification, and letters of reference. GRE scores are considered during program admissions; however, there is no minimum GRE requirement. Late transcripts or documentation will result in not being considered. Follow program application instructions.
Pre-Admission Requirements for Master of Physical Therapy Program
--- Lower-division ---
Anatomy and Physiology
Fresno State: PHTH 119, PHYAN 65
Transfer: Human anatomy with lab and human physiology with lab.
Chemistry
Fresno State: CHEM 1A or 3A , and CHEM 3B
Transfer: Inorganic and organic or biochemistry with labs
Psychology
Fresno State: PSYCH 10
Transfer: General psychology
Physics
Fresno State: PHYS 2A, 2B
Transfer: Physics with lab including mechanics, heat, light, sound, and
electricity
Statistics
Fresno State: HS 92
Transfer: Introduction to basic statistics
--- Upper-division ---
Psychology
Fresno State: PSYCH 169 or RLS 125
Transfer: Psychology of disability course
Biological Sciences
Fresno State: PHYAN 140
Transfer: Neurophysiology course
The screening committee reviews admission criteria. Prior to admission to the program, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Hold or be eligible to receive a bachelor's degree by the end of the spring semester prior to admission to the program.
- Have completed or be currently enrolled in the specified lower-division prerequisite courses at time of application. All lower-division courses must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to admission to the program.
- Submit GRE test scores by the end of the fall semester prior to admission to the program. Students are encouraged to take the GRE early to avoid delays in acceptance for graduate work.
- Enroll in upper-division prerequisite courses during the spring semester prior to admission to the program
- Receive a grade of C or better in each prerequisite course and maintain a total prerequisite GPA of 3.0. An overall GPA of 2.5 on the last 60 units completed is required. The Department of Physical Therapy recommends an overall GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 units completed. CR/NC grades, correspondence courses, or independent study courses cannot be used for prerequisite requirements. Only those prerequisite courses completed by the end of the fall semester in which application is made will be counted toward ranking of candidates for selection into the graduate program.
- Provide evidence of knowledge of physical therapy through employment, volunteer work, or observation in a physical therapy department for a minimum of 100 hours. Fifty hours must be in a general acute care setting; 50 hours may be in a special area of practice. All observation hours must be under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
- Submit three letters of recommendation, as specified in application instructions.
- Participate in a personal interview.
- Submit grades and final transcripts from institutions other than Fresno State as soon as grades are posted. Transcripts should be requested prior to the end of the term.
Meeting the foregoing criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the Master of Physical Therapy program. Students transferring from community colleges and other colleges or universities who meet the foregoing criteria are considered on the same basis as California State University, Fresno students applying for admission to the program. An applicant must meet the above criteria to be considered for conditionally classified standing in the graduate program.
Classified Graduate Standing
In addition to meeting all admission requirements listed above, the following additional criteria must be met for the applicant to be considered for classified graduate standing:
- Completion of all (58 units) of coursework listed below with a GPA of 3.0 each semester and overall, and a C or better in every course.
- Be recommended by the physical therapy faculty.
An applicant admitted with conditionally classified standing may be granted classified standing upon meeting the above requirements.
Pre-professional prerequisites for the Master of Physical Therapy Program
Natural Sciences Category (18-19 units)
CHEM 1A or CHEM 3A; CHEM 3B; HS 92; PHYS 2A, 2B
Biological Sciences Category (21 units)
PHYAN 65, 140; PHTH 119, 125, 126, 127
Behavioral Sciences Category (10 units)
PSYCH 10; PHTH 106; PSYCH 169 or RLS 125
Pre-ClinicalSciences Category (8 units)
NURS 124; PHTH 105, 107
Total (57-58 units)
For department application or admission information, write to the following address and enclose a self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelope:
Admissions Coordinator
Department of Physical Therapy
College of Health and Human Services
California State University, Fresno
2345 E. San Ramon Ave. M/S MH29
Fresno, CA 93740-8031
The Master of Physical Therapy program is open to all college graduates with a bachelor's degree who have met upper- and lower-division prerequisite requirements and show intellectual promise and ability to perform at a satisfactory level during their graduate studies.
Criteria for Departmental Retention and Progression
Criteria for retention in the Master of Physical Therapy program and progression to the next semester in the program:
- Maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester in the program
- Maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in M.P.T. degree requirements
- Achieving a minimum grade of C (or CR) in each PHTH course.*
- Enrolling in and completing all required courses in sequence.
Students must carry malpractice insurance, must purchase an appropriate laboratory coat, and must provide their own transportation to hospitals and clinics for off-campus classes and clinical laboratories. Additional laboratory fees may be required. Students must also provide for all expenses while taking the post-graduate clinical internship. Expenses include student fees, housing, meals, and travel.
*Any student receiving a grade less than C will not be able to continue in the program, regardless of semester or overall GPA. Please note that grade substitution is not permitted at the graduate level. A student must receive a grade of CR in all clinical education courses (PHTH 251-257; PHTH 275). A student receiving a grade of C or NC in a PHTH course will have one opportunity to repeat the course. A second grade of C or NC in a repeated PHTH course will result in disqualification from the program.
Requirements for the Master of Physical Therapy
Core Requirements (62 units)
(see Advising Note 1)
PHTH 206, 207, 208, 209, 217, 218, 219, 226, 227, 228, 229, 236, 237, 238,
239, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 291
Electives (6 units)
PHTH 240-249, 292A, 292B
Comprehensive Examination (o units)
Total (68 units)
Postgraduate Internship Certification requirements (12 units)
PHTH 275 (see Advising Note 2)
Advising Notes
- PHTH 256 and 257 clinical experiences and PHTH 275 postgraduate internship are conducted in a variety of clinical facilities through out the state. Students must provide for all expenses including housing, meals, and travel. These are offered CR/NC only.
- PHTH 275 must be completed to be eligible to take the state examination for licensure.
Advancement to Candidacy Requirements
Students usually advance to candidacy following the completion of two full-time semesters of graduate coursework in the Master of Physical Therapy program. Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must have the following:
- 1. Classified graduate student standing.
- 2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (overall, program, and California State University, Fresno) on all coursework completed after the date of the first course to be included in the master's degree program, with no grade below C.
- 3. Demonstrated required competency in clinical coursework (PHTH 251-257) with grade of CR.
- 4. Demonstrated graduate level writing proficiency (assessment of a portfolio of writings is used). This requirement must be met within one semester of classified graduate standing. Contact the Department of Physical Therapy for detailed requirements.
- 5. Approval from the faculty to take the department's comprehensive written examination with an oral defense.
A culminating experience is required of all Fresno State master's degree candidates. Students in physical therapy satisfy the requirement through a comprehensive written examination with an oral defense.
Physical Therapy Courses