The Best Physical Therapy Schools In California
If you want to take up the profession of physical therapy in the US state of California, you should consider yourself extremely lucky, because the fact is that, there are a number of very good physical therapy schools in California. In fact, there are several physical therapy schools here that offer graduate level courses in the subject. Most of them are accredited, and can help you get the job you want. Among all those institutions or physical therapy schools in California, the two most notable ones are the California State University at Long Beach and the San Francisco State University.
California State University – the Long Beach Physical Therapy Program
Three schools are there within the California State University System that puts forward physical therapy programs. The largest in terms of student registration is the California State University at Long Beach. This is a 4-year public school, and is situated in the Greater Los Angeles Area. It provides a yearly student populace of practically 38,000 individuals. The Physical Therapy Department hosts a master’s course that is sanctioned by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Master of Physical Therapy
In this course, the students are supplied with the theoretical instruction, clinical training and technical competency, which are needed to suit the requirements of the entry-level physical therapists in CA. The 3-year program is centered on the establishment science lessons that are proffered through informative instruction as well as clinical rotations and an internship in the field. Students are required to complete each of these conditions to sit for the national physical therapy examination and achieve their license upon graduation. In 2008, 93% of graduates from the program here passed this particular examination on the first attempt, thus making this among the finest physical therapy schools in California.
San Francisco State University’s Physical Therapy Program
This is another notable institution among the physical therapy schools in California. This offers a degree course. The school can accommodate a student population of more than 30,000 each year, and is situated within the large urban area of San Francisco. The two graduate programs offered here are recognized by CAPTE.
Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Students who are interested in becoming physical therapists and those who have a bachelor’s degree can attend this DPT program. This entry-level DPT program is designed for them. The 3-year program requires all students to have finished at least 150 hours of paid or voluntary training in a related field. Along with theoretical and scientific courses, the degree course requires that the doctoral students should complete 24 weeks of full-time clinical experience, prior to graduation and ultimate licensure.
Doctorate in Physical Therapy Science
A doctorate program is also offered at the San Francisco State University. It is devised for students who have finished a master’s degree in physical therapy, or for learners who are by now experienced in the job, and requires further qualification to advance in their profession. The course is intended to help learners increase their ability as clinical researchers, specialists and educators. The duration of the program is 27-36 months. This is the uppermost level of education that physical therapists can complete. Not too many physical therapy schools in California offer this however.