Curriculum Overview
Plans of Study & Course Descriptions
Our curriculum provides a strong theoretical foundation in the basic, medical, and applied sciences that integrates critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills at each step of the way. You'll be prepared to work collaboratively with patients across the lifespan to improve health and wellness, address disability challenges, and optimize function. You can find a sample Plan of Study here and more information about each course in the UCSF Course Catalog and the SFSU Bulletin.
Registering for Courses
For information about filing study lists and paying fees each quarter/semester, see the websites of the SF State Registrar's Office and UCSF Office of the Registrar.
SFSU also requires this additional notice regarding registration policies and deadlines.
Clinical Education
Dynamic clinical learning experiences are an integral part of the program. You'll have integrated clinical experiences starting in the first year, and then three full-time clinical experiences throughout the curriculum.
Learn more about Clinical Education
Electives
We offer extensive elective opportunities for you to explore new areas of interest or further your knowledge and skills in a particular concentration. Examples include research, running biomechanics, and pelvic floor PT to name a few!
Program Faculty
The UCSF/SFSU faculty includes leaders in the field, renowned researchers, and exemplary teachers. Many core faculty members are practicing clinicians at a range of sites, including UCSF's Outpatient Faculty Practices, Health & Wellness Center, and Medical Centers.
Interprofessional Education
As part of the DPT curriculum, all students participate in the IPE program at UCSF. Physical Therapy students work together with trainees in the other health professions to build skill sets that will ultimately increase patient safety, reduce errors, maximize efficiencies, and improve quality of care.
Learn more about Interprofessional Education
Qualifying Assessment & Culminating Experience
All learners must successfully complete the components of the Qualifying Assessment to advance to candidacy for the DPT degree. This assessment requires learners to:
- Achieve an overall 3.0 GPA at UCSF and SFSU, and in combination
- Pass all practical examinations and clinical experience courses to date
- Pass three clinically-based, board-style examinations that demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Learners must achieve 80% on each in order to pass, and may retake each exam once to achieve a passing score. If an exam is failed a second time, an oral examination will be given.
- Acute Care (cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, multisystem patients), taken in second year
- Orthopedic (musculoskeletal outpatients), taken in third year
- Neurological (pediatric and adult neuromusculoskeletal patients), taken in third year
Within both the California State University and the University of California systems, a culminating experience at the doctoral level is also required. In our program, the PT 209AB and PT 910 Evidence-Based Practice courses support learners in developing an original in-depth research project. A manuscript-ready written submission and oral presentation to faculty and peers must both be passed with 80% or better to graduate. If a learner does not receive an 80% on both, they may receive an incomplete grade and be required to repeat the oral presentation or continue to edit the manuscript until it satisfies the criteria to pass.