Psychology, B.S. leading to Doctor of Physical Therapy

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Stephen Baker, sbaker@francis.edu

Program Description:

The Psychology program at Saint Francis University is grounded in the Goals of Franciscan Higher Education and the learning goals identified by the American Psychological Association. This program is designed to introduce students to natural and social scientific investigations of behavior and mental processes. A degree in psychology prepares students for their futures as responsible global citizens. The curriculum engages students in research and scholarly activity, while also encouraging them to apply coursework in internships, study abroad, and/or community service. Graduates of the psychology program are prepared for entry-level employment in the field and for advanced study in graduate or professional schools.

Students who major in psychology can choose from a number of degree options. The Psychology Department offers three tracks for completion of either the B.A. or B.S. degree in Psychology: (1) a General Liberal Arts Track; (2) a Pre-Professional Track; and (3) Ph.D. Track. Many students who have future plans for immediate employment or graduate education in any of a variety of fields will find the maximum flexibility of either the General Liberal Arts B.A. or B.S. track to best meet their goals. Students who plan to double-major or minor in psychology and a pre-professional field such as occupational therapy, criminal justice, business, social work, or education are likely to find that either the B.A. or B.S. Pre-professional Track works best for them. Some SFU Psychology majors, however, may wish to concentrate their coursework in Psychology to maximize skill development in research in preparation for Ph.D.-level graduate work in psychology. These students should consider the B.A. or B.S. Ph.D./Research track to help them develop competencies needed for future application to Ph.D. programs in psychology. Students who plan to seek admission to a graduate program in Psychology are strongly urged to complete a research project that is suitable for presentation or publication.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Certification and/or Licensure:

This program is not designed to lead to certification or licensure.

Total Credits Required:

128 credits minimum for the B.S. in Psychology

Admission Requirements:

Traditional 4+3 Leading to Doctor of Physical Therapy

In addition to University admission requirements the program also requires the following:

• SAT score of 1100 or higher in critical reading and math or an ACT composite score of 22 or higher;
• GPA of 3.0 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.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

In order to maintain a high-quality program and to encourage students to perform at their best, each Saint Francis University Psychology student is expected to meet a minimum cumulative GPA standard in all Psychology required and prerequisite courses in order to maintain their standing in the major. The standards are progressive in that the requirements are higher as one advances through the curriculum from the freshman to the senior year.

The Standard:

• 2.00 QPA at the end of the freshman year
• 2.50 QPA at the end of the sophomore year
• 2.75 QPA at the end of the junior year
• 2.75 QPA also required for assignment to internships

Prior to the fall semester of the junior year, 40 hours of documented volunteer experience or paid employment in two different physical therapy settings.

The courses utilized for the cumulative GPA are as follows:

• All Psychology courses
• The following collateral electives:
  • BIOL 111, BIOL 205, BIOL 206 , BIOL 301*, BIOL 401*, BIOL 405*
  • CHEM 113, CHEM 114, or CHEM 121*, CHEM 122*, CHEM 221*, CHEM 222*
  • PHYS 104, PHYS 105*
  • MATH 110 or higher
  • STAT 205 
  • PSYC 206 

*(Not all students take these courses, as it depends on their concentration.)

Further, these standards require earning no grade below “C” in any major or collateral course, and require if the earned grade is below a “C” that the course(s) be repeated. Courses may be repeated only once.

Guidelines for Progression into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program:

(Traditional 4+3 Psychology to Physical Therapy Program, PSPT)

The following criteria are to be met by October 15 of the Psychology (4+3) PT (PSPT) student’s senior year and maintained thru his/her completion of his/her bachelor’s degree. If the following are met, a seat will be offered into the SFU Doctor of Physical Therapy program:

• A letter of intent to enter the Saint Francis University Doctor of Physical Therapy program submitted by the end of spring semester of the student’s junior year. The letter should be addressed to the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and should contain an unofficial transcript and initial letter of endorsement from an instructor within the Psychology program;
• Each student who declares intent to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Saint Francis University shall be co-advised by the Chair of the Physical Therapy department or designee;
• A completed application on PTCAS to Saint Francis University Doctor of Physical Therapy;
• A minimum 3.200 math/science GPA for the following prerequisites:
  • 4 credits of general biology (with lab)
  • 8 credits of anatomy and physiology (with labs)
  • 8 credits of physics (with labs)
  • 8 credits of chemistry (with labs)
  • 4 credits of exercise physiology (with lab)
  • 3 credits of statistics
• 9 credits of psychology - 3 beyond introduction to psychology (not included in the math/science GPA);
• Completion of a total of 80 hours of documented volunteer or employed hours in at least two physical therapy settings, including one inpatient and one outpatient setting;
• Three recommendations:

  • Two from physical therapists

  • One from a professional non-PT who can attest to your capacity to complete a rigorous graduate education program (Non-family member);

• A minimum overall GPA of 3.200 and an earned bachelor’s degree prior to start of the professional curriculum.