You are in the official 2007-2008 General Catalog for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physical Therapy
Interdisciplinary Pre-Health
and Rehabilitation Professions Education
The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers preprofessional options in Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Public Health, and Pre-Rehabilitation Services. These degree options prepare students to meet the prerequisite requirements of graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, 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. Rehabilitation professionals may fabricate equipment to enable a person with an amputation to walk or a person with quadriplegia to control his or her 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 in which professionals receive training
in collaborative processes and share goals for patients and clients. Such
goals can be met through an interdisciplinary program that introduces the
student to the practice of numerous professions, allows for practical observations
and mentoring, and enables the student to form role concepts that incorporate
interdisciplinary work rather than a solo professional track.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Major
The IHRS major requires 29 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 58 units of study, which includes completion of the 29 unit core and one option (29-44 units). The General Education requirement, special course requirements, and electives complete a total of at least 121 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 (58-74)
Core Program
(required of all options) (29-30 units)
Lower-Division Requirement
Any 3-unit statistics course (3 units)
Recommendations for Pre-Rehabilitation Services option are ERA 153 or PSYCH
143 or 144 or SWRK 176 or DS 123 or HS 202; for other options recommendations
are HS 92 or other equivalent elementary statistics courses, such as MATH
11
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 (23-24 units)
Select 3 units from the following:
CDDS 91 or 92, 80; GERON 10S or RLS 10S; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; HS 90, 131,
182, 190; KlNES 118, 137; PHTH 190; RLS 101, 142; SWRK 135 (3 units)
Select one of the following options (29-44 units)
Pre-Occupational Therapy Option (36-37 units)
ART 60 or 70; ANTH 2; COUN 174 or PSYCH 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: CHEM 153; COUN 174 or PSYCH
174; CDDS 91 or 92, 80, 98, 158; ECON 162; GERON or RLS 10S; GERON 18 or
WS 18; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; GERON 139, 161; GERON 148 or KINES 148; HS
90, 104, 109, 129, 130, 131, 141, 151, 163, 182, 190; ID 145; KlNES 109,
116, 118, 137, 163; NSCI 131; NURS 124; PHTH 119, 126, 190; PHYAN 140, 163;
PSYCH 103 or GERON 103; PSYCH 169; RLS 101, 142; SOC 147; SPAN 1A or 1B;
SWRK 135, 137
Pre-Physical Therapy Option (44 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: CDDS 91 or 92, 80, 98; ECON
162; GERON or RLS 10S; GERON 18 or WS 18; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; GERON 139,
161; GERON 148 or KINES 148; HS 90, 104, 109, 129, 130, 131, 141, 151, 163,
182, 190; ID 145; KlNES 109, 116, 118, 137, 163; PHTH 190; PHYAN 163, 165;
PSYCH 103 or GERON 103; RLS 142; SOC 147; SPAN 1A or 1B; SWRK 135, 137
Pre-Rehabilitation Services Option (29 units)
COUN 174 or PSYCH 174; 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: CDDS 91 or 92, 80, 98; ECON
162; GERON or RLS 10S; GERON 18 or WS 18; GERON 125 or SWRK 125; GERON 139,
161; GERON 148 or KINES 148; HS 90, 104, 109, 129, 130, 131, 141, 151, 163,
182, 190; KlNES 109, 116, 118, 137; NURS 124; RLS 101, 142; PHTH 190; PSYCH
155 or CFS 38; PSYCH 103 or GERON 103; PSYCH 169; SOC 147; SPAN 1A or 1B;
SWRK 135, 137
Pre-Public Health Option (30 units)
HS 90, 100, 109, 161, 163; PSYCH 174 or COUN 174
Select a minimum of 12 units from the following: HS 104, 105, 110, 115,
131, 133, 135, 151, 154; GERON 10S, 100, 161; RLS 80; CFS 38; PSYCH 166,
169; SWRK 129, 135, 137; CDDS 80, 91 or 92, 98; KINES 116, 118, 209; NURS
124; SOC 147
General Education requirements (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (2-18 units*)
(See Degree Requirements); includes upper-division
writing skills
Total (121 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); CDDS 92 or SPAN 1B (C2); GERON or RLS 10S, CFS 38, or HS 90 (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. 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, rehabilitation counseling, and public health. 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)
Any 3-unit statistics course. Recommendations for Pre-Rehabilitation Services
option are ERA 153 or PSYCH 143 or 144 or SWRK 176 or DS 123 or HS 202;
for other options recommendations are HS 92 or other equivalent elementary
statistics courses, such as MATH 11
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:
CDDS 91 or 92, 80; CLAS 101; GERON or RLS 10S; 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 is a profession dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life. It serves humanity, is holistic in nature, and provides services to persons of all ages, gender, and cultures. In concert with the mission of the university and to meet the needs of the community, physical therapist professional education seeks to graduate competent, adaptable, and compassionate physical therapy practitioners of the highest quality. The best practitioners are committed to life-long learning, self-development, and critical inquiry; they are also prepared to function autonomously in current and future healthcare environments. The physical therapy professional education at California State University, Fresno seeks to stimulate scholarly inquiry and critical thinking while supporting and encouraging research and its dissemination. The program's mission is to develop outstanding, competent, professional practitioners and future leaders of the profession of physical therapy.
In concert with the American Physical Therapy Association 2020 Vision Statement, the program helps graduates develop the skills to examine, evaluate, and establish a diagnosis and prognosis within the scope of physical therapy practice. Graduates are prepared to implement and manage a physical therapy plan of care and to provide a sound rationale for evaluation and treatment procedures based on a theoretical framework for practice, including evidence-based practice.
Successful completion of the MPT program will prepare students with the following outcomes and abilities in physical therapy management and professional development:
- Practice across all settings in a safe, legal, ethical and nondiscriminatory manner.
- Screen individuals to determine the need for physical therapy evaluation or referral to other health professionals.
- Accurately perform and interpret examination findings to establish a physical therapy diagnosis.
- Choose and effectively perform appropriate examination procedures.
- Develop and manage an appropriate physical therapy plan of care including patient education, prevention, enhancement, referral, and discharge planning.
- Utilize, with safe client-handling skills and an awareness of indications and contraindications, cost-effective efficacious patient management activities that address goals in the plan of care.
- Re-evaluate/modify the physical therapy plan of care.
- Provide sound rationale for evaluation and treatment procedures and plan of care development based on a theoretical framework for practice (including evidence-based practice).
- Cognitively understand patient needs, limits, and capabilities. In conjunction with the theory and application of physical therapy practice, determine when a task or skill can be safely and effectively delegated to another care provider.
- Provide effective patient/client-related instruction, education, and consultation.
- Effectively communicate with cultural sensitivity orally, in writing, and non-verbally with clients, caregivers, colleagues, educators, and the public.
- Participate in administrative/management and supervisory processes.
- Participate in the community as an advocate for the practice of physical therapy.
- Engage in critical inquiry.
- Plan and implement strategies for continued self assessment and professional
growth.
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.
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.
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 in-patient 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-Clinical Sciences 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. Demonstrated
required competency in clinical coursework, with minimum grades of B in
PHTH 254 and 255 and CR grades in PHTH 256 and 257. 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 less than a C or NC in a repeated PHTH course
will result in disqualification from the program.
Requirements for the Master of Physical Therapy
Core Requirements (63 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)
and Comprehensive Examination (0 units)
PHTH 240-249, 288T
or PHTH 298 - Project (6 units)
(see Advising Note 2)
Total (69 units)
Postgraduate Internship Certification requirements (12 units)
PHTH 275 (see Advising Note 3)
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 298 has limited enrollment and therefore the student must go through a selection process to receive permission to enroll.
- 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:
- Classified graduate student standing.
- 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.
- Demonstrated required competency in clinical coursework (PHTH 251-257) with grade of CR.
- 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.
- 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. The graduate project is limited to 10 students and therefore each student must go through a selection process to get permission to enroll in PHTH 298.
Physical Therapy Courses