Entry-Level Dual-Degree
Physical therapists do more than help people rehabilitate from injuries; they help clients young and old regain the flexibility, strength, and endurance they need to live fuller, more active lives through enhanced movement.
If you want a career that will enable you to help people recuperate from surgery, painful injuries or life-altering health conditions, Quinnipiac’s doctor of physical therapy program will put you on a clear path to your goal from day one. Our Entry-Level Dual-Degree Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Studies/Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is one of only a few offered in the country where qualified applicants are admitted as first-year students.
Our undergraduate curriculum, which can be completed in 3 or 4 years, is specifically designed to prepare you for the graduate physical therapy program. You will study human movement and explore methods of maintaining healthy movement, preventing disability and assessment of movement.
Upon successful completion of your Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies and after meeting specific program requirements, you are guaranteed admission to the graduate DPT program, where you’ll learn to examine individuals across the lifespan and create treatment plans using various therapeutic interventions that promote mobility, reduce pain, and improve functioning. You’ll also understand how to work as part of a healthcare team that may include doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
U.S. News & World Report
College Factual
College Factual
The health science studies major allows you to take specific courses in your choice of a concentration.
For students in the Entry-Level Dual-Degree BS in Health Science Studies/Doctor of Physical Therapy program, you will choose from Human Movement or Sports Medicine to best prepare you for your graduate studies in these tracks.
Both the Human Movement and Sports Medicine tracks require the following core courses:
Evidence-Based Practice
Introduction to Kinesiology
Clinical Physiology
Health Science Education
Nutrition
Biology of Aging
Experiential Learning
This track explores movement across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics, with the intent to provide a foundational understanding of normal 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 track involves application of human movement in clinical practice, through research in motion analysis, or in the community through promotion of healthy living.
Required:
Intro to Movement Assessment
Biomechanics
Electives:
Advanced Kinesiology
Movement Across the Lifespan
Population Health
Function Neuroanatomy
Adaptive Movement
Healthcare Management
This track 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.).
Required:
Emergency Management
Strength and Conditioning
Intro to Movement Assessment
Biomechanics
Electives:
Care and Prevention
Nutrition for Sports and Fitness
Clinical Pharmacology
Wellness and Sports Performance
As a Health Science Studies undergraduate, you will have opportunities to participate in the Physical Therapy Club activities and earn observation hours at our pro-bono, on-campus EQUIP Rehabilitation Clinic.
Below are some examples where our students have gained hands-on experience in Connecticut:
Amity Physical Therapy, Hamden
Cheshire Fitness Zone, Cheshire
Collette PT, Yalesville
Connecticut Orthopedic Specialists, Hamden and Branford
Orthopedic Specialty Group, Fairfield & Shelton
FYZICAL Spine, Sport and Balance, Wallingford
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, Wallingford
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers, New London
Quinnipiac Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, Hamden and North Haven
Rockwell Dance Center, Trumbull
STAR Physical Therapy, Hamden and Wallingford
Yale School of Medicine - Orthopedics, New Haven
Building upon your strong undergraduate foundation of human movement or sports medicine, you will seamlessly transition to your graduate portion of study for your next three years to earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Our PT faculty members are experts in their field and will ensure that you receive the knowledge and hands-on training you’ll need at clinical sites across the state and throughout the country. Other distinctive, real-world experiences include participating in EQUIP, a student-run pro-bono rehabilitation clinic for local residents, and volunteering at Camp No Limits, a summer camp for children with limb loss held at Quinnipiac.
Examples of our graduate students’ internships and clinical placements:
Anaheim Angels – Major League Baseball
Boston Children’s Hospital
Carolina Panthers – National Football League
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Eduglobal Associates
EXOS
Hartford Healthcare
Hospital for Special Surgery
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
NYU Langone Health
Northwell Health
Ohio State University Hospital
Professional Physical Therapy
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Yale New Haven Health
First-time pass rate on the PT Licensure exam 2018 to 2021 (FSBPT)
Percentage of our graduates who are employed 6 months after graduation (2020 survey)
The median salary for physical therapy graduates is $91,010 (bls.gov).
US News and World Report recognizes our programs as one of distinction (2020).
Quinnipiac is one of roughly 34 programs under CAPTE accreditation that admit students at an early assurance first-year level.
Quinnipiac’s DPT program is one of 34 programs in the nation that offers an entry-level BS/DPT program (combined undergrad/grad program with admission first-year).
Our 3+3 or 4+3 BS in Health Science Studies pre-professional tracks allow students to customize their undergraduate experience to meet their financial, co-curricular and educational needs.
Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure clinical reasoning and competency across all areas of clinical practice and research, including our Human Anatomy Lab, Standardized Patient Assessment Center, Clinical Practice Labs, Pro-Bono Clinic and Motion Analysis Laboratory.
Vast alumni network leading to clinical placements and professional opportunities across the country and internationally. More than 1,000 clinical sites are available because of Quinnipiac alumni and long-term clinical relationships that value the quality of our programs.
Our DPT program develops students into clinicians through a clinical reasoning-based curriculum, integrated clinical experiences, community advocacy both locally and internationally through strategic partnerships, and evidence-based practice through research opportunities in established scholarly tracks of clinical outcomes, teaching and learning, and community service.
We continue to advance the physical therapy profession by emphasizing community advocacy, directing scholarship through clinical and educational outcomes, and building an innovative curriculum that maximizes technology, immersive learning, and flexibility.
We deliver a reasoning-based curriculum that provides students with the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviors to become clinicians who will guide all individuals to maximize their mobility
We demonstrate compassion through our student-centeredness, service to others and engagement with our community.
We promote evidence in practice through scholarship related to teaching, community engagement and basic science to clinical outcomes.
We ensure enhanced clinical experience through a vast network of clinical partnerships - locally, nationally, and globally.
To enhance the physical mobility of society by educating the PTs of tomorrow.
Compassionate individuals seeking to improve the human experience through movement.
The well-being of society relies on movement experts to optimize health and function.
The physical therapy program at Quinnipiac fosters a close-knit community of learners who use their profession to enhance wellness in the local community through clubs, clinics and organizations that provide pro-bono PT services and programs.
The physical therapy program at Quinnipiac 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 To contact the program/institution directly, please call 203-582-8212 or email tracy.wall@qu.edu
| Graduation Year | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 98.6% |
| 2019 | 92.2% |
| 2018 | 96.7% |
| Graduation Year | First-time Pass Rate | Ultimate Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100% | 100% |
| 2020 | 94% | 100% |
| 2019 | 100% | 100% |
| Graduation Year | Employment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 94% |
| 2019 | 92% |
| 2018 | 100% |
| 2017 | 100% |
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.