College of Healthcare Professions
Bachelor of Science in Health Science
DeSales’ accelerated DPT program helps you reach your goals faster. Our curriculum will prepare you for a successful career in physical therapy. Develop expert skills to work in a clinic, hospital, or rehabilitation center.
Program Details
- Official Degree Name
- Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Format
-
In Class-Day
Online
Blended
- Program Start
- Fall Semester
- Application Deadline
- Apply Anytime
- Average Time to Degree
- 3+3 Years
Why Get Your Health Science Degree at DeSales University?
DeSales’ Health Science program provides a seamless path to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Take courses in the region’s only gross anatomy laboratory, our huge medical simulation center, and our standardized patient care suites. If you're looking for a dynamic program that will allow you to get your DPT in as little as six years, choose DeSales!
Program Highlights
Learn More in Less Time
- Reach your goal of working as a licensed DPT faster— without sacrificing quality. Our Health Science program grants you entry into the DPT program after three years of accelerated undergraduate studies. Plus, the coursework is designed to give you a foundation for success in the DPT program.
Proven Outcomes
- The DeSales Health Sciences program and DPT are top notch, and we have the numbers and outcomes to back it up. 100% of DeSales DPT grads from the classes of 2022 and 2023 successfully completed the program. In 2021-2022, 100% of DPT students passed the National Physical Therapy Examination. Better yet, DeSales has seen a 100% employment rate for DPT graduates since 2021.
Leadership and Character Development
- You’ll find community and connection in the Health Science to DPT program. Learn to innovate in state-of-the-art facilities from experts in the field. Collaborate with other health science students, preparing you to work on clinical care teams. Practice our Salesian roots by sharing your expertise with the community.
What Will You Study?
Health Science to DPT is a truly comprehensive learning experience. Our curriculum includes starting year one in our gross anatomy lab to community outreach and clinical work.
Advance to Doctorate level courses in year four of your Health Science program.
- Human Structure and Function I and II
- Fundamentals of General Chemistry
- Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry
- Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
- Research and Statistics in Exercise Physiology
- Personality: Theory and Research
Meet the Faculty
Outcomes & Careers
Students who graduate will have:
- Specialized competence in physical therapy practice to provide leadership and make significant contributions in the physical therapy profession
- The knowledge and skills necessary to apply and contribute to advanced research in physical therapy practice
- A deepened understanding of Christian conscience as it is applied to ethical problems in healthcare and physical therapy practice
DeSales’ DPT grads have gone on to be gainfully employed in the field of Physical Therapy medicine. DPT outcomes include:
- High Graduation Rate – DeSales students continually surpass the program goal of 95%.
- Strong Employment Rate – Defined by CAPTE as the percentage of graduates who sought employment that were employed (full-time or part-time) as a physical therapist within one year following graduation. DeSales consistently meets the program goal of 100%.
- High National Physical Therapy Examination Pass Rate – defined in two ways: (1) first-time pass rate as compared with the national average and (2) ultimate pass rate. DeSales meets its program goals of a 95% first-time pass rate and a 100% ultimate pass rate.
Admission Requirements
- The Health Science (3+3 DPT) Program requires a two-step admissions process which includes academic acceptance to the University followed by an interview with the Health Science program for qualified applicants.
- If applying test optional, a 3.7 cumulative, unweighted GPA is required.
- If a student chooses to apply using test scores, a 1270 SAT or 26 ACT score is required to qualify for the Health Science interview process. If applying with test scores, they will be used to determine eligibility for the interview.
Program Support
Program FAQs
Yes. Any of our admissions counselors can answer your questions about the 3+3 DPT program; undergraduate or graduate level.
DeSales has a student-run, no-cost pro bono clinic that provides a full range of screening, evaluation and therapy services to our local community.
Clinic hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at DeSales University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 610-282-1100 extension 1898 or email dpt@desales.edu.
At DeSales, replicating authentic healthcare delivery environments is critical to successful learning and skills application. Some of our state-of-the-art features include:
- The Area's Only Gross Anatomy Lab
- Classroom Lab in Wills Hall
- The Community Wellness and PT Clinic
- Our Simulation Lab, which includes a standardized patient lab
The Gambet Center
Our newest academic building, The Gambet Center, has some of the most exciting and cutting-edge technology available in healthcare education. The Center is also a showcase of green architecture featuring environmentally advanced design consistent with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.
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