The program in physical therapy leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees is designed to educate graduates as generalists dedicated to promotion of health and rehabilitation of people disabled by injury or disease. Physical therapists are moving beyond traditional settings and are assuming more responsibility for examination, evaluation, and treatment, as well as for administration, supervision of a variety of health care workers, teaching, consultation, and clinical research. The program reflects these professional needs. The essential components of physical therapy education include the development of a strong foundation in the basic sciences, synthesis of a body of applied scientific knowledge, the adoption of a professional code of ethics, the demonstration of a commitment to professional values, and the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, and to administer and evaluate treatment effectively and efficiently.

An important component of the educational process is participation in supervised clinical experiences at selected facilities that give the student exposure to a range of physical therapy practices and settings. Affiliated institutions are located in the Greater Boston area, in most areas of the U.S., and at international sites. All students complete clinical experiences. Availability of clinical sites for any one clinical experience is determined by the PT program’s academic coordinators of clinical education and the individual clinical site. Students are advised that there will be additional costs associated with housing and transportation needs during each clinical experience.

The educational program in physical therapy is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education and prepares graduates to apply for physical therapy licensure in any state in the United States.

The American Physical Therapy Association recommends that all professional physical therapy education programs lead to a doctor of physical therapy degree. In accordance with this recommendation, the program offers a combined BS/DPT program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies after the fourth year and the Doctor of Physical Therapy after six years of coursework and supervised clinical practice.

Degree Requirements

Freshmen who enter the physical therapy program are in an accelerated Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Physical Therapy program. A minimum of 128 semester credits are required for the awarding of the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and a cumulative total of 194 credits for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Approximately 42 weeks of supervised clinical experience are required prior to program completion. The physical therapy program requires a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 by the end of the spring semester of sophomore year and by the end of the spring semester of junior year including summer courses. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements at the stipulated times may not continue matriculation in the professional physical therapy curriculum.

The following are prerequisite courses in which a minimum grade of C– must be achieved: CAS BI 105; CAS BI 106; CAS BI 211; CAS CH 171; CAS CH 172; CAS PY 105; CAS PY 106; CAS MA 118 or MA 121; CAS MA 113, 213 or PS 211; SAR HS 342; and SAR HP 412. Up to 8 credits of these prerequisite courses may be taken outside of Boston University.

A minimum grade of C is required in SAR HS 369.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and grades of C or better to include all courses taken in the professional portion of the program. It is assumed that students receiving a BS in health studies will continue on to complete requirements for the DPT degree. Students cannot use AP or transferred college credit to reduce the curriculum from six years to five years. BS degree recipients who do not complete all DPT degree requirements are not eligible to apply for physical therapy licensure. For more details, please refer to the DPT Student Handbook.

Matriculation into the Professional Portion of the Physical Therapy Program Continuation in the Physical Therapy Program after the first three years of pre-professional study requires completion of the following:

1. Biological science laboratory courses—human anatomy 4 cr; basic physiology 4 cr; exercise physiology 4 cr; biology 4 cr
2. Physical science laboratory courses—chemistry 8 cr; physics 8 cr
3. Psychology—includes general and abnormal 8 cr
4. Humanities—includes Composition (CAS WR 100) as well as the Writing and Research Seminar (CAS WR 150) plus electives 20 cr
5. Social science—4 cr
6. Statistics—4 cr
7. General electives—any University offering 4 cr
8. Specialty electives—4 cr. Pick at least 4 credits from the following list of professional electives:
   CAS BI 114 Human Infectious Diseases: AIDS to Tuberculosis
   CAS RN 106 Death and Immortality
   CAS PH 100 Introduction to Philosophy
   CAS PH 150 Ethics
   CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics
   COM CM 311 Oral Presentation
   SED SE 150 Disability, Education, and Public Policy
   SED CE 500 Introduction to Counseling
   SED HE 522 Community Health
   SPH PH 510 Introduction to Public Health
   SAR HS 201 Nutrition
   SAR HS 300 Epidemiology
   SAR HS 375 Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
   SAR HS 475 Disability, Advocacy, and the Law (junior or senior standing)
9. PDP activities (or evidence of participation in two semesters of a varsity-level sport)—1.5 cr
10. SAR HP 565 Biomechanics
11. SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions 2 cr, SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Life Span 4 cr, and SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S. 4 cr
12. By the end of the junior year, students are expected to observe for 30 hours in a clinical setting and submit a paper about the experience. Students register for SAR PT 341 (0 credit, P/F) to complete this requirement.

Curriculum

The following is a typical program for the six years of the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy. The most current curricula information can be found at www.bu.edu/sargent. All courses are four credits unless otherwise noted.

Freshman Year

First Semester

• CAS BI 105 Introductory Biology for Health Sciences
• CAS CH 171 Life Science Chemistry I
• CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar
• CAS PS 101 General Psychology
• SAR HP 150 Freshman Year Experience (0)
• SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2)

Second Semester

• CAS BI 106 Human Anatomy
• CAS CH 172 Life Science Chemistry II
• CAS MA 118 College Algebra and Trigonometry or
• CAS MA 121 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences
• CAS WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar
• PDP activity (½–1)

Sophomore Year

First Semester

• CAS BI 211 Human Physiology
• CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics
• Humanities elective
• Specialty elective

Second Semester

• CAS PY 106 Elementary Physics
• SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Life Span
• SAR HP 565 Biomechanics of Human Movement
• Humanities elective

Junior Year

First Semester

• CAS MA 113, MA 213 Statistics or
• CAS PS 211 Introduction to Experimental Design in Psychology
• SAR HP 412 Abnormal Behavior in Rehabilitation
• SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology
• Humanities elective
• PDP activity (½–1)

Second Semester

• SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy
• SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S.
• SAR PT 341 Preclinical Experience (0)
• Social science elective
• General elective

Professional Curriculum: DPT

Summer Term II

• SAR PT 515 Physical Therapy Examination
• SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy

First Professional Year (Senior Year)

First Semester

• SAR HP 531 Clinical Medicine I: Physical Agents
• SAR PT 511 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems (6)
• SAR PT 521 Musculoskeletal Systems I (6)
• SAR PT 555 Integrated Clinical Experience I (2)

Second Semester

• SAR HP 561 Evidence-Based Practice I (1)
• SAR PT 512 Cardiopulmonary Systems II (2)
• SAR PT 522 Musculoskeletal Systems II (6)
• SAR HP 532 Clinical Medicine II (2)
• SAR PT 551 Neuroscience for the Physical Therapist
• SAR PT 565 Integrated Clinical Experience II (2)
• SAR PT 791 Clinical Experience I (6 weeks: July–August) (0) Fee

Second Professional Year

First Semester

• SAR PT 550 Scientific Basis of Human Movement (2)
• SAR HP 662 Evidence-Based Practice II (2)
• SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation Professionals
• SAR PT 652 Neurological Systems I (6)
• SAR PT 691 Clinical Education Seminar I (1)

Second Semester

• SAR PT 623 Musculoskeletal Systems III (6)
• SAR PT 653 Neurological Systems II (6)
• SAR PT 692 Clinical Education Seminar II (1)
• SAR PT 780 Academic Practicum I: Research, Management, or Education (2)

Summer

• SAR PT 792 Clinical Education Experience II (10 weeks: June–Aug) (0) Fee

Third Professional Year

First Semester

• SAR HP 725 Foundations of Education and Health Promotion (2)
• SAR HP 770 Health Care Management
• SAR PT 756 Pediatrics (2)
• SAR PT 773 Comprehensive Clinical Reasoning
• SAR PT 781 Academic Practicum: Research, Management, or Education (2)
• SAR PT 794 Clinical Education Seminar III (1)

Second Semester

• SAR PT 793 Clinical Internship (January–June, 6 months) (0) Fee

Professional Program

The entry-level professional physical therapy program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy is designed for those students already possessing a baccalaureate degree who wish to become qualified as physical therapists. Students have the opportunity to acquire basic competencies of physical therapy, participate in supervised clinical experiences, and develop skills in education, health promotion, management, and research.

Those who are already physical therapists may pursue the tDPT as a post-professional degree. See Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy below.

Application Deadline

The review of applications begins on December 15.

Admission Requirements

Applications received by the December deadline will be assured consideration. Applications received after that date will be considered on a space-available basis. Applicants are responsible for the gathering and simultaneous submission of all required materials by the deadline. Accepted applicants will be notified and invited to attend an information session during February.

A completed application and official transcript(s) showing evidence of completion of a baccalaureate degree and prerequisite coursework are required for admission. The following courses must be completed at the college level:

1. Biology: 3–4 credits (one course with lab)
2. Human anatomy: 3–4 credits (one course with lab) (Note: When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined course, two semesters are necessary to meet the requirements.)
3. Human physiology: 3–4 credits (one course with lab)
4. Chemistry: 6–8 credits (two-semester sequence with lab)
5. Physics: 6–8 credits (two-semester sequence with lab)
6. Statistics: 3–4 credits (one course to include descriptive statistics, correlation, and introduction to inferential statistics)
7. Developmental psychology: 3–4 credits (one course, which must include the childhood portion of development)
8. Exercise physiology: 3–4 credits (one course)

Courses taken to fulfill prerequisites must be completed with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in order for the application to be considered. An applicant may have courses still in progress by the December deadline, but all prerequisites must be completed by the start of the program. If you have questions about whether a course fulfills one of the above requirements, please submit a course description from the appropriate college catalog to Steven Brady, Program Coordinator, Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, Boston University Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

Applicants Must Submit:

1. A completed application to the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), www.ptcas.org.
2. Three letters of reference (one must be from a course instructor or academic advisor, and two from a supervisor in professional a professor or other work capacity) via PTCAS.
3. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (institution code 3028). Scores of 500 or more on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE are strongly recommended. Analytic writing scores are also evaluated. Applicants with one or more subtest scores below 400 will not be considered.
4. Official transcripts showing evidence of completion of your bachelor’s degree will need to be sent to the following office by our program’s start date in May:
   Boston University
   Academic Services Center
   College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
   635 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 207
   Boston, MA 02215

Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete a minimum of 94 credits, including a minimum of 40 weeks of clinical experience, to fulfill degree requirements. All requirements must be completed within six years of initial acceptance. The curriculum is designed for full-time study; part-time enrollment is not an option. Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No grade below a C is acceptable for credit. For further details, please refer to the DPT Policy and Procedure Manual or visit http://www.bu.edu/sargent/files/2009/09/DPT-PP-2011.pdf.

Curriculum

The following is a typical three-year program for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise noted.

Professional Curriculum: DPT

Summer Term I

• SAR HS 581 Gross Human Anatomy

Summer Term II

• SAR PT 515 Physical Therapy Examination
• SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy

First Year (DPT I)

First Semester

• SAR HP 531 Clinical Medicine I: Physical Agents
• SAR PT 511 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems (6)
• SAR PT 521 Musculoskeletal Systems I (6)
• SAR PT 555 Integrated Clinic I (2)

Second Semester

• SAR HP 532 Clinical Medicine II (2)
• SAR HP 561 Evidence-Based Practice I (1)
• SAR PT 512 Cardiopulmonary Systems II (2)
• SAR PT 522 Musculoskeletal Systems II
• SAR PT 551 Neuroscience for the Physical Therapist
• SAR PT 565 Integrated Clinical Experience II (2)

Summer

• SAR PT 791 Clinical Experience I (0) (6 weeks: July–August) Fee

Second Year (DPT II)

First Semester

• SAR PT 550 Scientific Basis of Human Movement (2)
• SAR HP 662 Evidence-Based Practice II (2)
• SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation Professionals
• SAR PT 652 Neurological Systems I (6)
• SAR PT 691 Clinical Education Seminar I (1)

Second Semester

• SAR PT 623 Musculoskeletal Systems III (6)
• SAR PT 653 Neurological Systems II (6)
• SAR PT 681 Academic Practicum I (2)
• SAR PT 692 Clinical Education Seminar II (1)

Summer

SAR PT 792 Clinical Experience II (0) (10 weeks: June–Aug.) Fee

Third Year (DPT III)

First Semester

• SAR HP 725 Foundations of Education and Health Promotion
• SAR HP 770 Health Care Management
• SAR PT 756 Pediatrics (2)
• SAR PT 773 Comprehensive Clinical Reasoning
• SAR PT 781 Academic Practicum II (2)
• SAR PT 794 Clinical Education Seminar III (1)

Second Semester

• SAR PT 793 Clinical Internship (6 months January–June) (0) Fee

The transitional DPT program bridges the gap between current DPT entry-level practitioners and the current MSPT or BS practice expectations. As academic programs convert to an entry-level DPT degree and more graduates enter the workforce with doctoral degrees, BU is committed to meeting the needs of practicing clinicians by offering advanced content designed to promote a high level of competence and autonomy. The tDPT program is available to all qualified physical therapy graduates of accredited programs who are licensed physical therapists in the U.S.

The program is offered on campus, as well as in a distance format. Physical therapists interested in the distance education program should visit our website at http://dptdegree.com.

Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis allowing entry into the program six times during the academic year. If the applicant is a Boston University graduate from 1993 forward, a transcript is not required. All other applicants must submit a transcript(s) showing evidence of completion of an entry-level degree in physical therapy.

Applicants Must Submit:

1. Two references attesting to clinical experience, job responsibilities, and academic ability.
2. One personal essay on career goals, and educational and vocational interests; and one referenced essay detailing the impact of the tDPT degree on the physical therapy profession.
3. Evidence of a minimum 3.0 professional grade point average from an entry-level physical therapy program.
4. Evidence of six months of full-time clinical employment.
5. Assessment, via portfolio process, of prior coursework, experiential learning, and continuing education.
6. Current résumé.
7. Copy of your current U.S. professional license in physical therapy.
8. All applicants who have not graduated from a U.S.-accredited physical therapy program, or who did not receive a physical therapy degree from an English-speaking institution, must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The following minimum scores must be achieved:
   writing—22
   speaking—23
   reading—25
   listening—21

Degree Requirements

The program requires 22 credits, including a choice of academic practicum experience in education, management, or research. All requirements must be completed within three years from the time of initial acceptance. Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No grade below a C is acceptable for credit. For further details, please refer to the tDPT online policy and procedure manual.

Curriculum

The following courses are required of all students. Each course carries 3 credits unless otherwise noted.

• SAR HP 561 Evidence-Based Practice
• SAR HP 650 Health Care Management I
• SAR HP 720 Educational Theory and Practice
• SAR HP 770 Health Care Management II
• SAR PT 610 Health Promotion and Wellness
• SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation Professionals
• SAR PT 780 Academic Practicum (2)
• SAR PT 773 Case III: Comprehensive Case Management (2)

Up to two courses may be waived by petition. Recent BU graduates may waive up to three courses. SAR PT 780 and SAR PT 773 may not be waived by any student.