Physical Therapy, B.S. Exercise Physiology 3+3 to DPT

Department Contact:

Dr. Ivan Mulligan, imulligan@francis.edu

Program Description:

The accelerated direct entry Doctor of Physical Therapy 3+3 program provides three years of pre-professional study where students complete the general education studies and core requirements to complete a BS in Exercise Physiology followed by three years of study in the professional curriculum which includes clinical experiences. While the entire six-year curriculum is taught on campus, selected education experiences may occasionally require travel to local health care facilities. All clinical education coursework is full time and requires travel to clinical sites for practical experience under the supervision of a physical therapist. Clinical education sites will be available locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Freshmen applicants should have strong backgrounds in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science. Clinical volunteer or paid employment experience, while not required for freshmen admission, is recommended to provide students with exposure to physical therapy practice.

Students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology after successful completion of the fourth year, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree will be awarded after successful completion of the sixth year. Progression through the curriculum is dependent upon successful completion of all courses in the sequence. The Student Progress Committee must approve any changes to the sequence outlined. Please consult the departmental handbook for detailed information about internal policies and standards. Professional courses are open to physical therapy majors only.

See Physical Therapy for more information on the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Accreditation Statement:

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Saint Francis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The curriculum leading to the DPT requires students to engage in diverse, complex, and specific experiences essential to the acquisition and practice of physical therapy skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical and interpersonal abilities are required to satisfactorily perform these functions. In addition to being essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the DPT, these functions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of the student, patients, fellow students, faculty, and other healthcare providers.

The essential qualifications are necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in physical therapy and needed for successful progression by students for the DPT. These essential qualifications are in addition to the standards of behavior and academic conduct set forth in the University Conduct Code, and includes, but is not limited to the following functions, skills, competencies, abilities and behaviors.

For further information, see the Student Learning Outcomes at https://www.francis.edu/PT-Accreditation-Status-and-Student- Outcomes/.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically four years of full-time study to complete the BS plus two additional years of full-time study to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree

Admission Requirements:

In addition to the University’s requirements for Admission, applicants must have:

SAT score of 1210 or higher in critical reading and math or an ACT composite score of 25 or higher;
GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 with 16 academic units indicated below:
- 4 units of science including biology and chemistry;
- physics recommended but not required;
- 4 units of math, reaching at least the level of pre-calculus (calculus recommended but not required);
- 4 units of English;
- 4 units of academic electives.

Admission Deadline:

The program has rolling admission.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

Pre-Professional Curriculum Progression Standards

All physical therapy majors in the three-year pre-professional curriculum must meet the following academic requirements in order to have a guaranteed seat in the professional curriculum. Failure to meet the progression standards will result in dismissal from the major. This includes all majors/concentrations leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy approved by the University.

Before the beginning of the sophomore year the student must achieve a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.750 and a minimum cumulative math/science GPA of 2.750. Failure to achieve these GPAs will result in Department Academic Warning.*
Before the beginning of the junior year the student must achieve a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.000 and a minimum cumulative math/science GPA of 3.000. Failure to achieve these GPAs will result in dismissal from the major.*
At the end of the spring semester of the junior year, the student must achieve a minimum overall cumulative QPA of 3.200 and a minimum cumulative math/science GPA of 3.200. Failure to achieve these GPAs will result in dismissal from the major.*
Prior to the fall semester of the junior year, 80 hours of documented volunteer experience or paid employment in two different physical therapy practice settings.
A minimum grade of “C” in all major and collateral requirements. (If student earns a grade below a “C” in a major or collateral course, the student may, prior to the end of the spring semester of the junior year, retake the class one time to achieve the minimum grade of “C.”)
Completion of the pre-professional curriculum in 3 consecutive years.

A student dismissed from the physical therapy major should contact the Office of Advising and Retention to select another major. A seat in the professional curriculum of the physical therapy program is not guaranteed for a student who does not meet these progression standards.

Any student dismissed from the physical therapy major may apply for readmission according to the Physical Therapy Department Internal Transfer Policy or as a graduate admission.

*The cumulative math/science GPA is based on courses taken at SFU; BIOL 111, 205, 206, CHEM 113,114, EXPH 305, PHYS 104,105, and STAT 205.

Professional Curriculum Progression Standards

All physical therapy majors in the three-year professional curriculum must meet the following academic requirements. Failure to meet any one of the progression standards will result in dismissal from the program.

Beginning with the fall semester of the 1st year, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.000 each semester of the professional curriculum.
Beginning with the fall semester of the 1st year, achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 during the professional curriculum.
Earn a minimum grade of “C” or better in every professional curriculum course.
Achieve a grade of “Pass” on all courses in the professional curriculum graded as “Pass/Fail.”
Achieve competency on all lab practical examinations as per department policy.
Successfully complete each clinical education experience/ course and achieve a grade of “Pass” in each course (per department policy).
Adhere to the University Conduct Code and all Essential Functions as defined in the Physical Therapy Program Student Handbook.

Capstone Requirement:

The completion of the senior capstone is defined as completion of all professional lab activities in the student’s senior year.