Welcome to The Department of Physical Therapy
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree prepares students for licensure as physical therapists. The program requires three academic years and three summers to complete. Full-time enrollment is necessary, including the summers. All students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program. To be eligible for licensure, both the didactic and clinical components of the DPT degree must be successfully completed.
Degree Information
DPT Professional Degree
Welcome to the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) offering an entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree. Our program offers unique experiences in International PT (travel elective and doctoral project experiences abroad), Pilates elective and a curriculum that includes Movement Science and Complementary Integrative Wellness. We have a long-standing relationship with the L.A. Dodgers/Campanella Foundation offering scholarships to our students and a spring training internship opportunity.
Clinical Education
Clinical education provides opportunities for students to develop professional and competency skills in collaboration with patients, clinicians, administrators, and healthcare professionals. Clinical education internship experiences are designed to support instructive course work and enrich student professional development.
Our Clinical Education Internship Experience are completed during the Summer semester.
Department Operations
Please note some days, operations are conducted virtually. If you need to reach anyone at the Department, the best route is via email.
If a PT Administrator is not available during regular office hours, please call 818.677.2203 or email for assistance.
If you need to contact a specific faculty member you can find their contact information on the physical therapy department's faculty page.
Who are we?
Physical therapists are licensed medical professionals who provide services aimed at preventing the onset and/or slowing the progression of conditions resulting from injury, disease, and other causes. There are more than 120,000 licensed physical therapists in the US practicing in a variety of settings which include:
- Outpatient clinics
- Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Homes
- Educational and research centers
- School settings
- Hospices
- Industrial & other occupational environments
- Fitness centers
- Sports training facilities
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy is to: 1) prepare competent, ethical, reflective physical therapist professionals who engage in evidence based practice autonomously and collaboratively with diverse populations in an ever-changing health care environment, 2) cultivate a faculty committed to excellence in teaching and mentoring, scholarship and research, clinical expertise, and service to the University and community, and 3) develop clinical partnerships and professional alliances that improve our ability to promote health, well being, and quality of life for local and global communities.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity
California State University, Northridge, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program are committed to promoting an inclusive learning environment that supports students' educational goals. To create an anti-racist atmosphere where all students can learn and grow, all full-time faculty members of the CSUN DPT hold APTA DEI certifications. Students and faculty are encouraged to engage in the wide range of DEI programs and educational opportunities available within the CSUN DPT program and at CSUN, which include the University Student Union Healing Space and the Heal Project, where Matadors can celebrate diversity.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at California State University, Northridge is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085

Website: http://www.capteonline.org
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Effective November 11,2015, California State University Department of Physical Therapy has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. www.fsbpt.org)
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 818-677-2203 or email PT@csun.edu
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure.
Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.
Outcomes
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) prepares competent, ethical, and reflective physical therapist professionals who engage in evidence-based practice both autonomously and collaboratively with diverse populations in an ever-changing healthcare environment. Guided by our mission, the program fosters excellence in teaching, scholarship, clinical practice, and community service. The accomplishments of our graduates exemplify the program’s commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.
Graduation Rate
Represents the percentage of students who matriculated into the program and successfully completed all requirements for graduation. Reported separately for each cohort and as a two-year average.
| Class of 2024 | 93.10% |
| Class of 2023 | 100.00% |
| 2-year average | 96.72% |
National Physical Therapy Licensure Exam Pass Rate
Indicates the percentage of graduates who passed the National Physical Therapy Licensure Examination (NPTE). Both ultimate and first-time pass rates are reported for each cohort, as well as two-year and five-year averages.
Ultimate
| Class of 2024 | 96.30% |
| Class of 2023 | 100.00% |
| 2-year average (2023-2024) | 98.31% |
| 5-year average (2020-2024) | 99.34% |
First time
| Class of 2024 | 96.30% |
| Class of 2023 | 93.80% |
| 2-year average (2023-2024) | 94.92% |
| 5-year average (2020-2024) | 96.69% |
Employment Rate
Represents the percentage of graduates who obtained full-time employment as physical therapists within 12 months of graduation. Reported separately for each cohort and as a two-year average.
| Class of 2024 | 100% |
| Class of 2023 | 100% |
| 2-year average | 100% |
Our 1st DPT class graduated in 2015
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Student Applicants
Please Note: Do NOT apply to Cal State Apply. The Cal State Apply supplemental application is for accepted applicants only. Applicants will be notified of acceptance and provided additional information before completing this application.
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If you have any feedback, concerns, or suggestions related to the academics of the DPT Program, we welcome you to reach out to our department coordinator, Jennifer Steinrad at (818) 677-2203. Your input is valued and appreciated.
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Department Chair
Dr. "Dan" Witaya Mathiyakom
Jacaranda Hall (JD) 1537
18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330-8332
- Phone: (818) 677-2203
For all admissions questions - Send email
Check out our social media pages.
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