Physical Therapy Major Dual Degree B.S./D.P.T.

The Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Medical Sciences (SHMS), offer a 3+3 dual degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (B.S./D.P.T.). This six-year program offers select students an opportunity to study in a traditional liberal arts environment as well as to participate in academic and clinical experience across healthcare settings.

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness- oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Seton Hall University is accredited by:

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: capteonline.org

CAPTE is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The program’s accreditation has been granted until June 30, 2021. (pending notice of reaffirmation May 2021).

Admission Criteria

Admission to the B.S./D.P.T. program is open to applicants who have successfully completed a high school college preparatory curriculum, including courses in biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, social sciences, English, and a foreign language. The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores are required of all applicants. International students must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

The combined B.S./D.P.T. program is unique because it accepts entering students as freshmen for enrollment throughout the entire program. Students who maintain the required GPA during their three years as undergraduates are guaranteed admission into the graduate professional phase of the program without needing to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Due to a limit on the number of physical therapy students in each class, admission into the program is extremely selective. Students enrolled at Seton Hall University, may transfer into the BIO/DPT dual degree program if they meet the entrance GPA criteria, have 67 credits or less, and declare by the end of Sophomore year. 

The PT dual degree program will accept external transfers through the end of Freshman year only or up to 45 credits max. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 upon entry and must have earned a C or higher in any prerequisites for the graduate PT program they take at their previous institution. Prerequisites may be taken outside of SHU in the Freshman year.  

Enrollment During the Graduate Phase

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program begins in the summer between junior and senior year and requires continuous enrollment throughout the three years of graduate professional study. Students who have interrupted enrollment will be required to register and successfully complete a one credit Independent Study course prior to beginning courses with clinically related experiences. This independent study will emphasize continued mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills. Permission of the department chairperson is required.

The DPT program is a full-time lock-step program; i.e., students must follow the prescribed sequence of courses. Dual degree students in their fourth/senior year (first year of graduate professional study when taking PTFY courses) are subject to SHMS grading policies. Successful completion of each course taken in SHMS in the fourth/senior year with a passing grade of C or higher is mandatory, along with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Any grade below this standard is an automatic failure (F grade) and will result in academic probation with suspension. Students on academic probation with suspension will be given the following two options:

1. Wait for the course to be offered again (typically the following year) and repeat the PTFY course to earn a B or higher, while still maintaining the required cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Choosing this option will result in the student being placed on program suspension, and no other SHMS courses may be taken until the student has successfully repeated the failed course to earn a B or higher, otherwise the student may be dismissed from the program. The F grade will remain on the student’s undergraduate transcript however the repeated grade will be used in all GPAs. Students who have interrupted enrollment will be required to register for a one- credit Independent Study course; permission of the department chairperson is required. Please consult with Financial Aid to determine if student loans will go into repayment during this period.
2. Close out the undergraduate degree by completing all remaining baccalaureate requirements before entering the graduate professional program. Choosing this option will result in the F grade remaining on the student’s undergraduate transcript, with no ability to modify GPAs. The student will be required to repeat the failed course at the graduate level (GDPT) the next time it is offered, paying the graduate tuition rate, and must earn a B or higher and still maintain the required cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, otherwise the student may be dismissed from the program. No other SHMS courses may be taken until the student has successfully repeated the failed course. Students who have interrupted enrollment will be required to register for a one-credit Independent Study course; permission of the department chairperson is required. Please consult with Financial Aid to determine if student loans will go into repayment during this period.

Students will only have one opportunity to repeat a failed course, and failure to earn a B or higher could result in the recommendation of dismissal from the program. Students earning a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 will also be placed on academic probation, without suspension, and shall be given up to two successive semesters in which to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher. Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher could result in a recommendation of dismissal from the program.

For a complete list of these policies and procedures, refer to the “Academic Performance Standards Policy and Student Performance Review Committee Procedures” document issued by the School of Health and Medical Sciences. 

Program Requirements

Students who maintain the required GPAs, both overall and in prerequisite courses (listed below), with no grades less than “C” in prerequisite courses through the end of junior year, and complete the course requirements within the Department of Biological Sciences, will enter the graduate professional phase of the program after the spring term of their junior year. Students are required to complete the specific prerequisite courses listed below. Course substitutions are not permitted. Note that College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits cannot substitute for any science prerequisite course requirements for admission. We do not accept AP for the science courses, but we allow for MATH 1401 Calculus I,  ENGL 1201 Core English I,ENGL 1202 Core English II, PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology.

*Students must achieve the required minimum Mathematics Placement Examination score enabling them to enroll in Pre-calculus or a higher level of Mathematics in their Fall semester of their freshman year. Students who fail to do so will be out of sequence in their dual degree program’s curriculum and off track with their ability to complete the undergraduate portion of their dual degree program in the required timeframe. This will disqualify the student from transitioning to the graduate portion of their dual degree program in the School of Health and Medical Sciences. 

Pre-requisite Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
BIOL 1211	General Biology- Organisms	3
BIOL 1212	General Biology-Organisms Lab	1
BIOL 1222	General Biology-Cell	3
BIOL 1223	General Biology-Cell Lab	1
BIOL 2221	Genetics	3
BIOL 2222	Genetics Lab	1
BIOL 3334	Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIOL 3335	Anatomy and Physiology I lab	1
BIOL 3336	Human Anatomy and Physio II	3
BIOL 3337	Human Anatomy and Phys II Lab	1
CHEM 1123	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 1125	General Chemistry Lab I	1
CHEM 1124	General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 1126	General Chemistry II Lab	1
ENGL 1201	Core English I	3
ENGL 1202	Core English II	3
MATH 1401	Calculus I	4
PHYS 1701	General Physics I	3
PHYS 1811	Physics Laboratory I	1
PHYS 1702	General Physics II	3
PHYS 1812	Physics Laboratory II	1
PSYC 1101	Introduction to Psychology	3

Students need to maintain “C-” or better grades in all non- prerequisite science and math courses. Students can only repeat individual courses once. A course withdrawal is considered one attempt; a student may repeat the course only once. Students enrolled in this undergraduate dual degree program must declare their intent to continue matriculation in their B.S./D.P.T major no later than September 1 at the start of their junior year.

If a student’s GPA falls below the GPA requirements stated below, the student will lose his or her guaranteed seat as a B.S./D.P.T. dual degree student and their major code will automatically be changed from BIOT to USCI. The student must then consult with his/her advisor to select a new major code. GPA requirements are exact and will not be rounded to determine eligibility. No exceptions will be made to any dual degree admission requirements.

• Students are required to achieve and maintain at least a 2.7 cumulative GPA by the end of Spring semester of the freshman year. ***Beginning with the incoming Fall 2024 class, the required minimum GPA by the end of Spring semester Freshman year is a 3.0. 
• Students are required to achieve and maintain at least 3.0 cumulative and prerequisite GPAs by the end of Spring semester of sophomore year.
• Students are required to achieve and maintain at least 3.2 cumulative and prerequisite GPAs by the end of each semester (fall/spring) of junior year. ***Beginning with the Fall 2025 class, there will be no Fall GPA requirement to meet. Students will however remain required to achieve at least a 3.2 cumulative and prerequisite GPA by the end of spring semester junior year.

Note that BIOT dual degree students should consult with the Assistant Director of Advising for Dual Degree Programs in SHMS for academic advising.

The students in the B.S./D.P.T. program are required to take a biology elective at the 3000-level in their junior year (please see the list below). Furthermore, all prerequisite and B.S. degree requirements must be successfully completed no later than May 15 of the junior year prior to beginning the professional/graduate D.P.T. courses in July. 

Elective Courses for the Biology – Physical Therapy Undergraduate Phase

The following biology electives are suitable to meet the Biology requirement. Students can complete a 4-credit biology elective with a laboratory component, or 3 credits of an approved biology elective plus a 1-credit approved Independent Study project.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
BIOL 3199	Histology	4
BIOL 3231	Molecular Biology	3
BIOL 3233	Biochemistry of Metabolism	3
BIOL 3241	Introduction to Immunology	4
BIOL 3333	Embryology	4
BIOL 3341	Environmental Toxicology	3
BIOL 3433	Forensic Biology	3
BIOL 3434	Med Terminology-Physio App	3
BIOL 3999	Junior Biology Seminar	1
BIOL 4412	Molecular Virology	3

Prior to admission into the fourth year (the graduate professional phase) of the DPT program, students must also complete 25 hours of volunteer work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. This volunteer experience allows students to strengthen interpersonal skills and to develop an understanding of the role of the physical therapist in meeting the functional needs of patients and clients of all ages. 

Verification forms or letters signed by the supervising physical therapist must be submitted no later than March 15 of the junior year.

Additionally, prior to admission into the DPT program, students must read, understand, meet and sign the Essential Functions of the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the DPT program.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Semester		Hours
BIOL 1211	General Biology- Organisms	3
BIOL 1212	General Biology-Organisms Lab	1
CHEM 1123	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 1125	General Chemistry Lab I	1
CORE 1001	University Life	1
CORE 1101	Journey of Transformation	3
MATH 1401	Calculus I	4
	Hours	16
Second Semester
BIOL 1222	General Biology-Cell	3
BIOL 1223	General Biology-Cell Lab	1
CHEM 1124	General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 1126	General Chemistry II Lab	1
ENGL 1201	Core English I	3
MATH 2111	Statistics for Science Majors	4
Arts and Sciences Diversity Requirement *		3
Arts and Sciences Communication Requirement *
	Hours	18
Second Year
First Semester
BIOL 2221	Genetics	3
BIOL 2222	Genetics Lab	1
CHEM 2321	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 2315	Organic Chemistry I-Lab	1
ENGL 1202	Core English II	3
PSYC 1101	Introduction to Psychology	3
Arts & Sciences Core **		3
	Hours	17
Second Semester
BIOL 2238	Cell Biology	3
BIOL 2239	Cell Biology Lab	1
CHEM 2322	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 2316	Organic Chemistry II-Lab	1
CORE 2101	Christianity and Cult in Dial.	3
Arts & Sciences Core **		6
	Hours	17
Third Year
First Semester
BIOL 3334	Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIOL 3335	Anatomy and Physiology I lab	1
PHYS 1701	General Physics I	3
PHYS 1811	Physics Laboratory I	1
Arts & Sciences Core **		9
	Hours	17
Second Semester
BIOL 3336	Human Anatomy and Physio II	3
BIOL 3337	Human Anatomy and Phys II Lab	1
BIOL xxxx	BIOL PT Elective	4
CORE 3XXX: Engaging the World		3
PHYS 1702	General Physics II	3
PHYS 1812	Physics Laboratory II	1
Arts & Sciences Core **		3
	Hours	18
Fourth Year
Summer
Session II
PTFY 4150	Physiology I - Fnd Hum Physio	2
PTFY 4160	Kinesiology I - Bio Hum Motion	2
PTFY 4170	Crit Think - Clin Reason Proc	1
PTFY 4180	Prof Roles in Physical Therapy	3
	Hours	8
First Semester
PTFY 4240	Therapeutic Interventions I	2
PTFY 4250	Human Physiology II	2
PTFY 4260	Kinesiology II	3
PTFY 4270	Human Anatomy	5
PTFY 4280	Clin Assessment - Diag Skl I	3
PTFY 4290	Critical Inquiry I	2
	Hours	17
Second Semester
PTFY 4330	Neuroscience	3
PTFY 4340	Therapeutic Interventions II	3
PTFY 4350	Physiology III - Bioenergetics	2
PTFY 4360	Kinesiology III - Posture Gait	3
PTFY 4370	Comm Htlh-Wellness Outreach I	1
PTFY 4380	Clin Assessment Diag Skl II	3
PTFY 4390	Critical Inquiry II	2
	Hours	17
Fifth Year
Summer
Session I
GDPT 7140	Therapeutic Interventions III	3
GDPT 7180	Clin Assess Diagnos Skills III	2
GDPT 7190
Session II
GDPT 7150	Movement Dev Across Life Span	3
GDPT 7170	Clin Diagnosis and Mgmt I	4
	Hours	12
First Semester
GDPT 7240	Therapeutic Interventions IV	4
GDPT 7250	Psychosocial - Ethical Issues	3
GDPT 7270	Clinc Diagnosis-Management II	4
GDPT 7280	Clin Diagnosis Management III	4
GDPT 7230	Clinical Research Experence I	1
	Hours	16
Second Semester
GDPT 7340	Mgmt Regulatoryv Iss Heathcare	3
GDPT 7350	Comm Hlth Wellness Outreach II	1
GDPT 7370	Clin Diagnosis Mgmt IV	4
GDPT 7380	Clin Diagnosis Mgmt V	4
GDPT 7390	Clin Diagnosis Mgmt VI	2
GDPT 7330	Clinical Research Experence II	1
	Hours	15
Sixth Year
Summer
Session I
GDPT 8150	Clinical Educ Seminar	0
GDPT 8170	Clin Diag Mgmt VII - Multi-Sys	4
GDPT 8180	Clin Diag Mgmt VIII Urogenital	1
Session II
GDPT 8160	Clinical Reason Capstone Prj I (online)	1
GDPT 8190	Clinical Internship I (8 weeks)	4
	Hours	10
First Semester
GDPT 8260	Clin Reasoning Capstone Prj II (online)	1
GDPT 8290	Clinical Internship II (12 weeks)	6
	Hours	7
Second Semester
GDPT 8360	ClinReasoning Capstone Prj III (online)	1
GDPT 8370	Prof Devel and Leadership Sem (final 3 weeks)	2
GDPT 8390	Clinical Internship III (12 weeks)	6
	Hours	9
	Total Hours	214

*

See SHMS adviser. Fulfilling some of the requirements may lead to a need for some students to take overload or summer courses at additional cost. Consult with your advisors frequently to effectively manage your requirements.

**

Consult the College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum for information regarding these courses.