Physical Therapy
Combined 3 + 3 BS/DPT Degree with
Jefferson College of Health Professions
Saint Joseph’s University and Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Health Professions in
Philadelphia have signed an articulation agreement that enables students to earn both the Bachelor of
Science (BS) degree and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in six years.
Students in this program will spend their first three years at Saint Joseph’s completing the majority of
courses needed for a BS degree in either Biology or Interdisciplinary Health Services. They will also
complete specific prerequisite courses necessary for transfer into the physical therapy program.
Students will transfer to Thomas Jefferson for the next three years to complete degree requirements for
the Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Credits from the first year at Jefferson will transfer back to Saint
Joseph’s to complete the remaining credits needed for the bachelor’s degree. Students will receive
their BS degree from Saint Joseph’s after their first year at Jefferson and will earn their Doctorate in
Physical Therapy after the third year at Jefferson.
To be considered for this special program, students should:
• Submit an Early Action Saint Joseph’s University admissions application (or use the
Common App) by November 15 of their senior year of high school and specify interest in the
3+3 DPT program.
• Earn a cumulative high school gpa of 3.3 or higher
• Have a total score of 1300 or higher on the Verbal/ Math sections of the SAT 1
Applicants will be reviewed by a joint admissions committee comprised of representatives from Saint
Joseph’s and Thomas Jefferson. Eligible candidates will be interviewed by the committee and the top
five candidates will be offered admission to the 3+3 DPT program. It is expected that all eligible
candidates will have some exposure to the physical therapy profession either from direct volunteer or
shadowing experiences.
Students who are selected for this program are expected to maintain a 3.0 overall and science grade
point average at Saint Joseph’s and must earn a least a “C” grade in all prerequisite coursework that
will transfer into the DPT portion of the program at Jefferson. Some summer courses will be necessary
for most students in order to complete all of the requirements for both programs. Students will receive
priority status for course registration at Saint Joseph’s to help insure that they will not be closed out of
courses needed to complete the program in three years. The Health Professions Advisor will serve as
the program coordinator and will assist students with the course selection process.
Those students enrolled in the 3+3 program are only eligible for Saint Joseph’s University housing
during the three years that they are actively taking courses at Saint Joseph’s and then they must move
to Jefferson-sponsored or independent housing during their three years at Thomas Jefferson. Likewise,
any scholarship or financial aid awarded to students by Saint Joseph’s University can only be applied
toward tuition at Saint Joseph’s.
For more information on the Physical Therapy program at Jefferson, go to
http://www.jefferson.edu/jchp/pt/dptcomplete.cfm See sample curriculums below for the 3 years at
SJU as a Biology/DPT student or an IHS/DPT student.
SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY AND JEFFERSON CHP 3+3 AGREEMENT
BS IN BIOLOGY – DOCTORATE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
PROJECTED COURSE SEQUENCE AT SJU
FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester
BIO 1011 – General Biology: Cells
CHM 1011/1112-Gen. Chem/lab
MAT 1281- Applied Statistics
LANGUAGE- Intermediate Level
ENG 1011-Craft of Language
4
5
3
3
3
18 cr
Spring Semester
BIO 1021-General Biology:Genetic
CHM 1021/1122- Gen. Chem/lab
MAT 1251- Applied Calculus I
LANGUAGE-Intermediate Level
ENG 1021- Texts & Contexts
4
5
3
3
3
18 cr
Summer Session – HIS 1011/1021 – Western Civilization I and II - 6 cr*
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester
BIO 2281- Biology Seminar
BIO 1031- Organismic Biology/lab
CHM 2311/2312-Organic Chem/lab
THE -1st Level Theology
PSY 1301-Lifespan Development
SOC 1011-Intro to Sociology
P/F
4
4
3
3
3
17 cr
Spring Semester
BIO 2281- Biology Seminar
BIO ELECTIVE-2000 level/lab
CHM 2321/2322-Organic Chem/lab
PHL 1011-The Human Person
PSY 1351-Abnormal Psych
IHS 2531- Nutrition
P/F
4
4
3
3
3
17 cr
Summer Session– ART/LIT requirement – 3 cr*
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
BIO 2281-Biology Seminar
BIO 2011- Comp. Anatomy/lab
PHY 1031-General Physics/lab
BIO ELECTIVE-2000level/lab
THE-2nd level Thelogy
PHL 1031-Moral Philosophy
P/F
4
5
4
3
3
19 cr
Spring Semester
BIO 2281-Biology Seminar
P/F
BIO 2041-Systemic Physiology/lab 4
PHY 1041-General Physics/lab
5
BIO ELECTIVE-2000level
3-4
PHL – 2000 level Philosophy
3
rd
THE – 3 level (Medical Ethics)
3
18/19 cr
Total- 116-7 credits - 33 courses
Note 1: Two remaining upper division Biology courses would transfer back from Jefferson along
with 5 elective courses to equal 40 courses for graduation.
Note 2: Students who are not prepared to start at the intermediate level of a language will need
to complete a 3 course language sequence which will add another course to the summer session.
* Summer courses may be taken at other institutions with approval of Associate Academic Dean
SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY AND JEFFERSON CHP – 3+3 AGREEMENT
BS in Interdisciplinary Health Services / Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT)
Projected Course Sequence at SJU
FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester
BIO 1011-Gen Biology:Cells/lab
IHS 2101-Psy Aspects of Health
MAT 1171/higher-Topics in Math
LANGUAGE-Intermediate Level
ENG 1011-Craft of Language
4
3
3
3
3
16 cr
Spring Semester
BIO 1021-General Biology:Genetics/lab
IHS 2111-Health Care System & Resp.
MAT 1181/higher – Intro to Statistics
LANGUAGE-Intermediate Level
ENG 1021-Texts & Contexts
4
3
3
3
3
16 cr
Summer Session - SOC 1011 – Intro to Sociology - 3 cr*
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester
BIO 1031-Organismic Biology/lab
THE 1st Level Theology
PSY 1301- Lifespan Development
PHL 1011-The Human Person
CHM 1011/1112-Gen.Chem/lab
4
3
3
3
5
18cr
Spring Semester
IHS 2531-Nutrition
PHL 1031-Moral Philosophy
IHS 2311- Statistics & Research Methods
THE –2nd Level Theology
CHM 1021/1122-Gen. Chemistry/lab
3
3
4
3
5
18 cr
Summer Session – HIS 1011/1021 – Western Civilization - 6 cr*
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
BIO 2011- Comp. Anatomy/lab
PHY 1031-General Physics/lab
IHS 2231-Health & Society
IHS 2901- Capstone Course in IHS
PSY 1351 - Abnormal Psych
4
5
3
3
3
18 cr
Spring Semester
BIO 2041- Systemic Physiology/lab
PHY 1041-General Physics/lab
THE 3rd Level –(Medical Ethics)
PHL 2321/2461- Phil. of Death/Sci.
ART/LIT requirement
4
5
3
3
3
18 cr
TOTAL - 113 credits - 33 courses
Note 1: One remaining upper division Health Services course would transfer back from
Jefferson along with 6 elective courses to equal 40 courses for graduation.
Note 2: Students who are not prepared to start at the intermediate level of a language will need
to complete a 3 course language sequence which will add another course to the summer session.
* Summer courses may be taken at other institutions with approval of Associate Academic Dean