The Department of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University is a member of the Early Assurance Consortium for physical therapy education. Qualified students are admitted as first-year students into the Entry-Level Dual-Degree Bachelor of Science in Health Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
The undergraduate curriculum, which can be completed in 3 or 4 years, is specifically designed to prepare students for the DPT program. Students study human movement and explore methods of assessing and maintaining healthy movement and preventing disability. Students are required to complete a minor, in either Human Movement or Sports Medicine, to best prepare for graduate studies.
Human Movement Minor: This minor explores movement across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics, with the intent to provide a foundational understanding of typical human movement. The curricular model focuses on developing the early thought processes and disciplinary content for many fields in the health profession related to movement. Through the scientific understanding of human anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics, students advance toward exploring methods of maintaining healthy movement, preventing disability and initiating assessment of movement. The culmination of the minor involves application of human movement in clinical practice, through research in motion analysis, or in the community through promotion of healthy living.
Sports Medicine Minor: This minor explores movement from the perspective of athletic performance. The curricular model focuses on developing the early thought processes and disciplinary content for many fields in the health professions related to sports medicine and working with an active and/or athletic population (traditional sports, tactical athletes, performing artists, etc.).
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Health Science and after meeting specific program progression requirements, students are guaranteed admission to the graduate DPT program. In January of the first undergraduate year, students are required to select and adhere to coursework in either the three- or four-year preprofessional track. Once a preprofessional track is selected, students will not be allowed transfer into the other track's curriculum at a later date. The decision for a three-year versus four-year track is individual, yet multifactorial. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: accumulation of college credits upon entering the university, involvement in athletics, financial aid, necessity of summer and/or J-term coursework and study abroad opportunities.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Health Science Studies program for physical therapy, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Foundational Science Knowledge: Demonstrate a knowledge of foundational sciences.
- Interprofessional Healthcare: Identify the roles of various healthcare professionals.
Goal: Students will demonstrate diverse and innovative thinking.
- Creative Thinking: Define and devise imaginative and original solutions to various challenges.
- Diversity: Identify the role and impact diversity plays in health.
Admission to the Program
Statement on Nondiscrimination and Compliance: The Quinnipiac University Physical Therapy program supports equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.
Admissions: Candidates applying for admission to the Dual-Degree BS Health Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy program from high school are required to have no less than three years of high school college preparatory mathematics (four years are preferred), one year of biology, one year of chemistry and one year of physics. In addition, the scores of the Scholastic Assessment Test or the College Entrance Examination board of the American College Testing program are recommended. Related healthcare experience is highly desirable. Prospective candidates also must satisfy general Quinnipiac University admission requirements.
All applications must include two letters of reference, and a personal interview may be required with representatives of the admissions office to discuss program requirements and the applicant’s professional interests and commitments. Applicants must have observation hours in at least two different clinical settings, preferably one in a rehabilitation facility and one in an acute care setting. A minimum of 10 hours in at least two settings (20 hours total) is required.
Applicants should forward to the Office of Admissions a signed note from the physical therapist at each setting verifying observation hours. Applications are accepted for admission to the fall semester only. All applications are processed and screened by the dean of admissions for selection to the program. Reference letters, other correspondence and inquiries relating to an application should be directed to the dean of undergraduate admissions. Admission to Quinnipiac does not guarantee admission to the professional graduate DPT program in physical therapy, unless officially accepted into the program as a first-year student and preprofessional program requirements are met.
AP Credits and Course Substitutions
A student who scores at least a 4 on the AP exam for biology or has transfer credits may have credit awarded toward open electives. Students must take BIO 103.
A student who scores at least a 4 on the AP exam for calculus or has transfer credits may choose to have credit awarded for MA 141.
A student who scores at least a 4 on the AP exam for chemistry or has transfer credits may choose to have credit awarded for CHE 110-CHE 111. If credit is awarded for CHE 110-CHE 111, the student must take a lab science in the first year.
A student who scores at least a 4 on the AP exam for biostatistics or has transfer credits may choose to have credit awarded for MA 275.
No other AP credits will be accepted in the math and science categories; AP credits or transfer credits for other non-math and science core curriculum requirements will be accepted.
Initial placement in the English and mathematics courses is determined by examination and an evaluation of high school units presented. The minimum mathematics requirement is MA 141.
Preprofessional Bachelor’s Degree Program Requirements
The Department of Physical Therapy Graduate Admissions Committee is responsible for evaluating and ensuring that all early-assurance candidates meet the requirements in the preprofessional component of the program to continue to the graduate program. All students are required to complete a minor in Human Movement or Sports Medicine. Students must achieve a minimum overall 3.20 GPA and a 3.20 cumulative GPA in preprofessional program science and math coursework with no prerequisite course grade below a C.
HSC/DPT students are afforded the opportunity to demonstrate cumulative progress toward DPT graduate program requirements over the course of their chosen curriculum of study (3 year or 4 year). All students must demonstrate the ability to meet academic benchmarks, including Math-Science GPA of 3.20 and Overall GPA of 3.20, two full semesters prior to graduation. If the academic record insufficiently supports meeting these prerequisites the student will automatically forfeit their guaranteed seat in the graduate DPT program admissions.
Please see the DPT Admission tab for additional requirements necessary for continuation to the graduate program.
Preprofessional Undergraduate Courses Calculated into 3.20 Math/Science Requirement
The following courses in the preprofessional component must be successfully completed with a C- or better and are calculated into the GPA for science and math coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 103 | Concepts in Human Biology | 3 |
| BIO 211 & 211L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I | 4 |
| BIO 212 & 212L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| BMS 200 | Biomedical Basis and Experience of Human Aging | 3 |
| BMS 302 | Human Performance and Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 3 |
| MA 275 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| HSC 290 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| HSC 390 | Introduction to Eval and Treatment I | 3 |
| HSC 405 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Professional DPT Program Requirements
Please see the DPT Requirements tab for Technical Standards and Essential Requirements and criteria to maintain good academic standing in the professional DPT Program.