Physical Therapy Affiliation Programs
Elizabethtown College offers preferred admission pathways to physical therapy programs, providing qualified students with streamlined access to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degrees.
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Widener University
3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Program Structure: Earn a Bachelor of Science from Elizabethtown College and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Widener University. Spend three years at Etown completing Core, Pre-Physical Therapy curriculum, and Biology major requirements, then three years at Widener University.
Process: Eligible students apply to Widener University's 3+3 DPT program during the fall semester of their junior year. After four years total (three at Etown and one at Widener) and earning at least 125 credits, students receive a B.S. in Biology from Elizabethtown College. The DPT is awarded by Widener University after completing remaining clinical experience.
Requirements:
- Major: Biology
- Cumulative GPA: Minimum 3.3 by the end of fall semester of junior year, maintained through the program
- Prerequisite Courses: Grade of "B" or higher in all required prerequisite coursework (a "B-" is not accepted), completed at Elizabethtown College
- Application Timing: Apply during fall semester of junior year
- Additional Requirements: This program has specific course requirements, so consult the Health Professions Advising Committee before scheduling your first-year fall classes
Thomas Jefferson University
4+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Program Structure: Elizabethtown College has a guaranteed interview agreement with Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) for preferred admission to their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Process: Students can apply for an interview and preferred admission with Thomas Jefferson University after their third year at Elizabethtown College, provided they meet the program's entrance requirements.
Requirements:
- Enrollment: Full-time student at Elizabethtown College since matriculation
- Class Standing: Senior student status
- Application Status: First-time applicant to the Interview Program
- Admissions Criteria: Meet the program's minimum admissions criteria for the application year
- GPA: Minimum 3.0 in science courses, prerequisite courses, and overall GPA by end of junior year
- Prerequisite Courses: Grade of "C" or higher in all required prerequisite coursework (a "C-" is not accepted)
- Additional Requirements: For further details and admissions requirements, contact the Health Professions Advising Committee
Messiah University
4+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Program Structure: Elizabethtown College has an agreement for preferred admission to Messiah University's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program following completion of a bachelor's degree at Elizabethtown College.
Process: The Exercise Science Program Director pre-screens interested students as early as the spring of their junior year. Students then submit their application to Messiah University's DPT program by October 1. Messiah University works with the Exercise Science Program Director to schedule interviews and determine provisional acceptance.
Requirements:
- Degree Completion: Complete a bachelor's degree from Elizabethtown College
- Advising: Meet with the Exercise Science Program Director
- Science GPA: Minimum 3.5 by end of junior year
- Prerequisite GPA: Minimum 3.5 by end of junior year
- Overall GPA: Minimum 3.5 by end of junior year
- Prerequisite Courses: Grade of "C" or higher in all required prerequisite coursework (a "C-" is not accepted)
- Application Deadline: October 1
- Additional Requirements: For further details and admissions requirements, contact the Exercise Science Program Director
Contact the Health Professions Advising Committee at hpac@etown.edu for details and admissions requirements.
Suggested Coursework
The following courses fulfill minimum requirements for most physical therapy programs.
| Subject Area | Etown Courses | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Biology (16 hours) (including anatomy and physiology) |
BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 201, BIO 202 | First & Third Year |
| Chemistry (8 hours) | CH 105, CH 113* | First Year |
| Physics (8 hours) | PHY 101, PHY 102 | Third Year |
| English (8 hours) | EN 100 & Second EN Course | First-Third Year |
| Psychology (8 hours) | PSY 105 & Second PSY course | First Year or Later |
| Mathematics (4 hours) | MA 251 | Second Year or Later |
* Pre-requisites exist for some courses. Consult the Etown College Catalog for details.
For school-specific requirements, visit PTCAS (Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service).