Dual-Degree BS in Health Science Studies/Doctor of Physical Therapy (3+3)

Program Contact: Tracy Wall 203-582-8212 or Michelle Broggi 203-582-8057

This program is for direct entry only. Students accepted into the HSS-DPT program as first-year students may complete the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies in three years. All students must complete 122 university credits to include the required University Curriculum (UC) courses, DPT required courses, and a minor in an area of interest. Students must achieve a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a 3.2 average for 46 credits of selected math and science courses for admission to the graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. In this fast-paced curriculum, students are expected to enroll in course work during summer terms (two courses per summer) and a J-term (one course in one J-term). Online courses are available for summer and J-term coursework.

AP Credits and Course Substitutions

A student who scores a 4 or 5 on the AP exam or transfer credits for biology will take BIO 101-BIO 102 at Quinnipiac University and be awarded alternate credits.

A student who scores a 4 or 5 on the AP exam for calculus or transfer credits may choose to be awarded credit for MA 141. If AP credits are awarded and accepted for CHE 110-CHE 111, the student will discuss other sciences to be considered as replacements.

A student who receives a 4 or 5 on the AP exam for biostatistics or transfer credits may choose to be awarded credit for MA 275. No other AP credits in the math and science categories will be accepted for program substitution without permission. AP credits or transfer credits for other non-math and science core curriculum requirements will be accepted.

The Review and Evaluation Committee for the program in physical therapy is responsible for evaluating and screening candidates during the preprofessional and professional graduate components of the program. Requirements for the program in physical therapy were approved in conjunction with the accreditation of the program and are acceptable to the School of Health Sciences and Quinnipiac University administration.

Curriculum for Dual-Degree BS in Health Science Studies/DPT (3+3) for Direct Entry

The BS in Health Science Studies requires the completion of 122 credits.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
BIO 101 & 101L	General Biology I and General Biology I Lab	4
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
EN 101	Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing	3
MA Quantitative Literacy ¹		3
FYS 101	First-Year Seminar	3
	Credits	17
Spring Semester
BIO 102 & 102L	General Biology II and General Biology Lab II	4
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
EN 102	Academic Writing and Research	3
UC Social Sciences elective ²		3
UC Humanities elective		3
	Credits	17
Summer Online
Elective		3
Elective		3
	Credits	6
Second Year
Fall Semester
BIO 211 & 211L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I	4
PHY 110 & 110L	General Physics I and General Physics I Lab	4
MA 275	Biostatistics	3
COM 150	Public Speaking: Principles and Practice	3
UC elective		3
	Credits	17
Spring Semester
BIO 212 & 212L	Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	4
PHY 111 & 111L	General Physics II and General Physics II Lab	4
UC Humanities elective		3
HSC 315 or PL 222	Bioethical Issues in the 21st Century or Bioethics	3
Elective		3
	Credits	17
Summer Online
UC Social Science elective (Abnormal Psychology)		3
UC Elective		3
	Credits	6
Third Year
Fall Semester
BMS 300 & 300L	The Physiology of Human Performance I and The Physiology of Human Performance I Lab	4
BMS 200	Biomedical Basis and Experience of Human Aging	3
IC Fine Arts elective		3
SHS 420	Integrative Capstone	3
Elective		3
	Credits	16
J-term
Elective (Online)		3
	Credits	3
Spring Semester
BMS 301 & 301L	Physiology of Human Performance II and Physiology of Human Performance II Lab	4
AT 440	Biomechanics	3
HSC 262	Nutrition in Health and Illness	3
HSC 214	Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries	3
HSC 214L	CPR, AED and First Aid	1
Select one of the following:		3
HM 404	Legal Aspects of Health Care Delivery
or any 3-credit HSC elective
	Credits	17
Summer Online
Elective courses		6
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	122

MA 141, program requirement

PS 101

The sequencing of course work for the preprofessional track is flexible; however, all requirements in the curriculum must be completed prior to entry into the graduate DPT program.

For information about the graduate portion of the program, please see Post-Bachelor's Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Mission Statement

The Department of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University provides an innovative, student-oriented environment to prepare students who can meet the evolving needs of society. The program is dedicated to developing lifelong learners who will enhance the profession through a commitment to reflective practice, interprofessional collaboration, leadership and socially responsible action. The educational experience embodies both the university and APTA's core values. Students provide patient-centered care using evidence informed practice to optimize movement and positively transform society.

To achieve its mission, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program:

Cultivates critical and reflective thinking, clinical decision-making and lifelong learning by utilizing an evidenced-based learning model, authentic assessments and a variety of learning experiences that include interactive technology. This learning model features small lab sizes, hands-on activities, visits to area clinics and opportunities to engage in professional development forums and community interdisciplinary collaboration.
Provides both in-class and in-clinic opportunities for students to engage in the essential elements of patient/client management.
Supports faculty teacher-scholars who are effective teachers and who collectively engage in scholarship, professional development, direct patient care and university and community service.