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

Program Contact: Michelle Broggi 203-582-8057 or Ken Kosior 203-582-3931

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 120 university credits to include the required University Curriculum (UC) courses, DPT required courses, and required courses in either the Human Movement or Sports Medicine track. Students must achieve a 3.20 cumulative GPA and a 3.20 average for 48 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 coursework 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.

The Department of Physical Therapy Graduate Admissions Committee is responsible for evaluating and ensuring that all early-assurance candidates meet the requirements of the preprofessional component of the program.

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 120 credits.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
BIO 103	Concepts in Human Biology	3
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
EN 101	Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing	3
MA 141 or MA 151	Calculus of a Single Variable or Calculus I	3
FYS 101	First-Year Seminar	3
	Credits	16
Spring Semester
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
EN 102	Academic Writing and Research	3
MA 275	Biostatistics	3
PS 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
UC Fine Arts/Humanities		3
	Credits	16
Summer Semester
UC Humanities Elective		3
UC Fine Arts 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
HSC 210	Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care	3
HSC 290	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
HSC 262	Nutrition in Health and Illness	3
	Credits	17
J-term
Open Elective		3
	Credits	3
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
BMS 200	Biomedical Basis and Experience of Human Aging (I course)	3
Open Elective		3
Open Elective		3
	Credits	17
Summer Semester
PS 272	Abnormal Psychology	3
UC Breadth Elective		3
	Credits	6
Third Year
Fall Semester
AT 440	Biomechanics	3
HSC 390	Introduction to Eval and Treatment I	3
HSC 354	Health Science Education	3
HSC 205 or HSC 207 or HSC 208	Age-Related Community Engagement Youth (HSC 505) or Interprofessional Community-Based Service Learning Seminar: Special Populations (HSC 507) or Community Engagement Veterans	1
Open Elective		3
Track Elective ¹		3
	Credits	16
Spring Semester
SHS 420	Integrative Capstone	3
BMS 301	Physiology of Human Performance II	3
UC Breadth Elective		3
Track Elective ¹		3
Track Elective		3
Open Elective		2
	Credits	17
Summer Semester
Open Elective		3
Open Elective		3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	120

¹ Sports Medicine Track includes two additional required emergency management electives.

The sequencing of coursework for the preprofessional track has some flexibility; however, some course sequences must be maintained. 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 Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Health Science Studies bachelor’s degree program is to facilitate and enrich students’ development into knowledgeable, proficient and culturally competent interprofessional collaborators, who are leaders and lifelong learners, equally prepared for advanced healthcare education or direct entry into a health science career.