Doctor of Physical Therapy/B.S. 3+3 Program with Thomas Jefferson University

The Cooperative 3+3 Program with Thomas Jefferson University leads to a Bachelor of Science degree from Elizabethtown College and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Thomas Jefferson University. In this program, students spend three years at Elizabethtown College fulfilling general education Core, the Pre-Physical Therapy curriculum, and the requirements of the Biology major. If accepted by the cooperating institution, students spend three more years at Thomas Jefferson University. Thomas Jefferson University’s 3+3 DPT program accepts applications during the fall of the senior year of high school or during the first year at Elizabethtown College. Interested students should consult with Dr. Aaron Cecala before organizing their first-year fall class schedule as this program has specific additional requirements. After completing four years – three at Elizabethtown and one at Thomas Jefferson University – and acquiring at least 125 credits, the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Elizabethtown College. After the student fulfills the remainder of the professional upper division program of clinical experience, the cooperative institution awards the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Cooperative programs are offered with Thomas Jefferson University in other Allied Health areas, including cardiovascular technology, cytotechnology, cytogenetics technology, diagnostic imaging, laboratory sciences, nursing, and occupational therapy. Students are not limited to the cooperative schools. Other allied health programs at other institutions of higher education may be used by the student to transfer credits back to Elizabethtown College. However, these programs need to be approved by the Department of Biology  and by the Registrar prior to the transfer of credit. All Allied Health majors should consult closely with Dr. Aaron Cecala to ensure that courses being taken fulfill other specific requirements of the institution to which the student plans to transfer.