Which Schools Offer Physical Therapy Programs in California?

Are you looking to study physical therapy at the doctoral degree level in California? The following pertains to programs provided by four schools in the state.

What You Need to Know

The professional doctoral degree program in physical therapy is available at several 4-year public and private colleges and universities in California. Aspiring Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students must be bachelor's degree holders; they must also usually have completed prerequisite science and math classes and submit GRE scores, recommendations, transcripts and references; one school also requires applicants to outline any previous relevant physical therapy experience. These 3-year programs require a combination of classes and clinical training; an internship, research project and final exams may also be required. Graduates typically meet the education requirements for professional licensing exams. Read on to see if one of these programs is right for you.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Programs in California

California State University-Northridge

In order to gain admission into this program, you will need to have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in your undergraduate prerequisite courses. Once admitted, you will take courses in areas such as applied neuroscience, pathophysiology and pharmacology. You will end your studies with a final examination administered during the last semester, in addition to a research project designed to prepare you for the licensing exam. If quick employment after graduation is a key concern for you, this department claims that all of its graduates land jobs within 6 months.

• Program Name: Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $7,017 per year for in-state students; $18,897 per year for out-of-state students (2020-2021)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; course prerequisites in science
• Admission Requirements: Official GRE scores; references; official transcripts
• School Type: 4-year, public; 39,910 students (34,799 undergraduate)

California State University-Long Beach

At California State University-Long Beach, you will receive instruction in the fundamentals of physical therapy through labs, lectures, a doctoral project, summer clinical experiences and an extended internship during your last year of studies. Courses may include musculoskeletal biomechanics, human growth development and exercise physiology. Despite space and equipment challenges, the department boasts that its graduates pass the physical therapy licensure exam at percentages that routinely exceed the national average.

• Program Name: Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $6,834 per year for in-state students; $18,714 per year for out-of-state students (2020-2021)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; course prerequisites in science
• Admission Requirements: Letters of recommendation; statement of purpose; documentation of physical therapy background
• School Type: 4-year, public; 38,674 students (33,054 undergraduate)

Mount St. Mary's University

In addition to the standard undergraduate life science prerequisites required by most other physical therapy programs, Mount St. Mary's also requires that you have completed at least a year of communication and a semester of statistics courses. Once admitted, you will take an array of courses in areas such as neuroscience, kinesiology, biomechanics, health systems and organizational management. By the time you have finished your studies, you should be able to apply evidence-based principles to your professional work, understand key physical therapy concepts and conduct independent research.

• Program Name: Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $44,474 per year (2020-2021)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; course prerequisites (see description above)
• Admission Requirements: Essay; letters of recommendation; official transcripts; official GRE scores; documentation of physical therapy experience
• School Type: 4-year, private; 2,855 students (2,238 undergraduate)

University of Southern California

This program combines elements of teaching, practice and research in its curriculum. Some courses you may take include therapeutic exercise, patient management, principles of disease and pharmacology. In addition to comprehensive instruction, you will also have access to advanced clinical labs, an exercise research center and an extensive clinical practice network. The department places particular emphasis on leadership development, so do not be surprised if you are asked to representative the school at national physical therapy conferences and meetings.

• Program Name: Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $60,275 per year (2020-2021)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; course prerequisites (see description above)
• Admission Requirements: Official GRE scores; official transcripts; references;
• School Type: 4-year, private; 48,321 students (20,351 undergraduate)

In summary, doctoral degree programs in physical therapy are provided by Mount St. Mary's University, the University of Southern California, and California State University's Northridge and Long Beach campuses.