Curriculum

Additional Program Information

The Dual Degree B.S. in Health Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Mercy College is an accredited 3 year BS in Health Sciences plus 3.5-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program designed to prepare graduates to practice with entry-level proficiency and to obtain licensure in Physical Therapy.

The Accelerated Pre-Physical Therapy Track is a rigorous and condensed 98 credit course of study for exceptional students which prepares students for application to Mercy College’s Dual Degree Program in Bachelors of Science in Health Science plus the Doctor of Physical Therapy. Students are required to complete 60 General Education credits, a minor concentration (15 credits of upper level coursework in a designated area), the Physical Therapy Prerequisites and the Physical Therapy curriculum (96 credits). Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are only required to complete the Prerequisite courses and the Physical Therapy curriculum.

After successful completion of the first year of the Physical Therapy Doctoral program, students are able to apply for a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree. After successful completion of the final Physical Therapy Doctoral program coursework, students will be awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Program Requirements

Requirements for matriculation, admission, and progression in the combined B.S. in Health Sciences / D.P.T. in Physical Therapy:

Undergraduate Requirements:

1. Students who have selected the pre-physical therapy health sciences track must maintain a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 3.0. If a student’s cumulative and/or Health Science major GPA falls below a 3.0, they will be placed on pre-professional track probation and will have one semester to restore their matriculating track status by raising their cumulative and/or major GPA to a 3.0.
2. Pre-professional track students must achieve a grade of B or better in ENGL 112 or equivalent and MATH 116 or equivalent.
3. Any student who receives a grade below a C in a major course will be required to retake the course. Health Science Major courses may be retaken once.
4. Any exceptions to program guidelines require approval by the Program Head.
 

Please note, successful completion of the Accelerated Track B.S. in Health Sciences does NOT guarantee acceptance into the Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy Program.

Graduate Program Admission:

1. Students are required to complete a minimum of 90 undergraduate credits to be considered for acceptance to the physical therapy doctoral program. These credits must include the 60 credits of required general education courses, a minor concentration (15 credits of upper level coursework), and the Prerequisites for Physical Therapy.
2. Students who have successfully completed at least eight Prerequisite health science concentration courses listed above with a minimum Prerequisite and cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply to the program. All Prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to entry into the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program. No more than one Prerequisite science courses can be taken during the summer before entering the program.
3. Volunteer or work-related experience in physical therapy is required. A maximum of thirty students will be accepted into each Physical Therapy Doctoral Program class.
4. Students with foreign credentials and whose first language is not English are required to complete six credits of college-level English composition to satisfy the dual degree requirements and complete the TOEFL (as per College policy).

Physical Therapy Doctoral Program Admission Requirements:

General information regarding eligibility for the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy may be obtained from the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) at www.ptcas.org. Information may also be obtained by contacting the Physical Therapy Program Office at 914-674-7828.

The following is required of all applicants (all documentation must be received by PTCAS no later than January 15th):

1. Completion of an application packet on PTCAS (www.ptcas.org). Candidates with GPA of 3.6 or higher can submit applications by October 15 for consideration for early decision.
2. Have a minimum science Prerequisite GPA of 3.0, which includes the eight most recent science Prerequisite courses.
3. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
4. Official Transcripts of all colleges attended sent to PTCAS (baccalaureate degree transcript if achieved).
5. GRE scores sent to PTCAS. The Mercy College GRE Physical Therapy Code is 0656. This is different than Mercy College’s general GRE code. Mercy’s required minimum for the GRE analytical writing section is a 3.0.
6. Volunteer/work experience forms demonstrating at least eighty hours of volunteer or work-related experience. The volunteer hours must be in a minimum of two different settings.
7. Two references on the Mercy College Physical Therapy Recommendation Form (one letter should be from a registered physical therapist or a work supervisor and one letter should be from an instructor of a Prerequisite course). The recommendations should give evidence of academic and professional qualifications for graduate study, and should be no more than one-year-old.
8. Students with foreign credentials and whose first language is not English are required to complete six credits of college-level English composition to satisfy the dual degree requirements and complete the TOEFL (as per college policy).
9. On site Interview.

Please see the 2020-2021 Graduate Catalog for additional information on the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program policies, progression criteria, and academic regulations.