Accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
for USF Students
First-time freshman USF students who are interested in attending physical therapy school have an opportunity to receive admission to USF's College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences and complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in six years, provided that the student continues to meet all the requirements of the program. The first three years of study will be done in the USF College of Arts & Sciences and the fourth year will be done in the USF College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitations Sciences as part of the first year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. A Bachelor's Degree will be conferred following successful completion of the undergraduate requirements (typically after the fourth year of study). The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree will be conferred after the successful completion of the program.
USF College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences will provide oversight of the 3-year physical therapy curricular component of the program.
Students do not officially apply for this program until the junior year. However, since this program requires specific course scheduling, it is strongly recommended that interested students meet with one of the Pre-Admission Advisors as soon as possible to express their intent in pursuing this track. Pre-Admission and departmental advisors will collaborate to ensure all major requirements and prerequisites are met in a timely manner. An undergraduate major in Biomedical Sciences is most closely aligned with the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program prerequisite and recommended coursework. However, Pre-Admission advisors will work closely with students to determine the most appropriate major and academic plan.
USF Program Requirements (first three years)
USF Program Requirements (first three years)
The following list of courses must be completed for admission to the USF College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences in addition to any other GEP or Upper Division requirements for the student's major.
USF Program Requirements (first three years)
The following list of courses must be completed for admission to the USF College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences in addition to any other GEP or Upper Division requirements for the student's major.
Prerequisite Courses Required: Variable Credit Hours
• Biological Science w/lab, 4 credit hours. BSC 2010, Biology I – Cellular Processes, 3 credit hours, BSC 2010L, Biology I Laboratory, 1 credit hour
It is the preference of the USF DPT Student Selection Committee that students complete BSC 2093/94 course sequence.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BSC 2093C, 4 credit hours, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, BSC 2094C, 4credit hours
However, we will accept BSC 2085/86 course sequence.
• Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals I with Lab, BSC 2085/L, 4 credit hours, Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals II with Lab, BSC 2086/L, 4 credit hours
• Chemistry w/lab – 1 year. CHM 2045, General Chemistry I, 3 credit hours, CHM 2045L, General Chemistry I Laboratory, 1 credit hour, CHM 2046, General Chemistry II, 3 credit hours and CHM 2046L, General Chemistry II Laboratory, 1 credit hour
• Physics w/lab - 1 year. PHY 2053, Physics I, 3 credit hours; PHY 2053L Physics Laboratory I, 1 credit hour; PHY 2054, Physics II, 3 credit hours; PHY 2054L, Physics Laboratory II, 1 credit hour.
• STA 2023, Statistical Methods, 4 credit hours
• PSY 2012, Psychological Science I, 3 credit hours
• DEP 2004, The Life Cycle, 3 credit hours, or DEP 4053, Developmental Psychology, 3 credit hours
Please note: Level of courses must be appropriate for science majors, and must have been completed within five (5) years of application.
Strongly Recommended Courses:
• CHM 2210, Organic Chemistry I and CHM 2211, Organic Chemistry II, 3 credit hours each
• CHM 2210L, Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and CHM 2211L, Organic Chemistry Laboratory II, 2 credit hours each – optional, based on undergraduate major
• BCH 3023, Introductory Biochemistry, 3 credit hours
• HSC 4531, Medical Terminology, 3 credit hours
• CLP 4143, Abnormal Psychology, 3 credit hours
GPA Required: At the end of the junior year, all students must present a 3.5 USF GPA (and overall GPA) and a 3.5 GPA in all prerequisite coursework.
Clinical Experience Required: Completion of a minimum of 40 contact hours of approved physical therapy clinical experience. Examples of acceptable experience include volunteer service in the USF Physical Therapy Center, a local hospital physical therapy department, or out-patient clinic. Prior approval by student's Pre-professional advisor is required. Students are encouraged to join the USF Pre-Physical Therapy Organization to learn of other clinical experience opportunities. Clinical hours are normally completed in the third year.
Application: Eligible accelerated program students should submit their application to the USF DPT Program on September 1st of their third year of USF attendance and may have no more than two (2) prerequisite courses (maximum of eight credits) pending completion at the time of application.
Senior status (90 earned credit hours) is required to enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. Students interested in the program who will have accumulated an excess of 90 credit hours prior to the start of the fourth year must meet with a Pre-Admission advisor to determine academic and financial aid eligibility for the program.
USF Program Requirements (fourth USF year to complete degree; first year of Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program in residence at USF)
Students must successfully complete all academic and clinical requirements of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum to graduate from the College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences. Successful completion of the academic program of study contained within the first year physical therapy curriculum is required for the completion of the Bachelor's Degree in the accelerated (3+3) program and to continue in the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program at USF. Curricular revision is an ongoing process in the USF College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, so the courses listed may change.
The first year program of study for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in the College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences includes the following courses:
• BMS 5005, The Professions of Medicine : Foundations of Doctoring, 4 Credit Hours
• BMS 6206, Molecular Medicine, 7 Credit Hours
• BMS 6100, Human Anatomy, 10 Credit Hours
• PHT 6174, Movement Science 1, 2 Credit Hours
• PHT 6284, Scientific & Professional Foundations of Physical Therapy 1, 4 Credit Hours
• PHT 6285, Scientific & Professional Foundations of Physical Therapy 2, 4 Credit Hours
• BMS 6500, Physiology, 4 Credit Hours
• BMS 6830, Physical Diagnosis, 4 Credit Hours
• BMS 6020, Medical Neuroscience, 4 Credit Hours
• PHT 6841, Clinical Education 1, 2 Credit Hours
For Additional Information:
Pre-Admission Undergraduate Advisor, Mr. Brandon Kroll 813-974-6957 healthprofadvise@cas.usf.edu
Pre-Admission Undergraduate Advisor, Amy Sturrock 813-974-3087 (Honors College Students Only) asturrock@honors.usf.edu
DPT Academic Recruiter and Advisor, Ellen Almeida 813-974-3255 or dpt-admissions@health.usf.edu
Websites:
College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences http://health.usf.edu/medicine/dpt/index.htm
USF College of Arts & Sciences,
http://web1.cas.usf.edu/MAIN/