Programs

Combined BS Premedical and Health Studies/Doctor of Physical Therapy with Simmons College (Professional Pathway)

Boston

Overview

Through this combined program, students earn a bachelor of science degree from MCPHS and a doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT) from Simmons College in Boston. The Simmons program has a national reputation: U.S. News & World Report ranked the professional physical therapy program at Simmons among the top 25 in the country.

This six-year program includes three years of study at MCPHS and three years at Simmons. Upon successful completion of the fourth year (first year at Simmons), MCPHS will award the BS degree, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy will be awarded at the completion of all six years.

Prerequisites

  • Completion of all DPT prerequisites by the end of the third year. Prerequisites are marked with an asterisk [*] in the curriculum chart below. (Note: Exercise Physiology is a required course to be taken in lieu of an elective prior to the end of the third year.)
  • Completion of all core liberal arts and science courses required of the baccalaureate degree at MCPHS by the end of the third year
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in the science prerequisites; audited or pass/fall courses are not acceptable
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0, including any courses taken outside MCPHS
  • Completion of 30 hours of health-related paid or volunteer experience by the end of the third year
  • At least a score of 500 on each section of the SAT offered prior to March 2005; for the new SAT, scores of at least 500 in the Math, Critical Reading and Writing sections and a 4 in the Essay; if the ACT was taken, a composite score of at least 22 is required
  • For individuals whose first language is not English, submission of official TOEFL scores from within two years prior to applying; minimum required score is 570 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88 (internet-based); no other test will substitute for this exam; the TOEFL cannot be waived even though the student attended or graduated from an English-speaking institution and does not substitute for SAT
  • For non-U.S. citizens, submission of all official educational documents from abroad (in both the native language and an English translation completed by an authorized translator, someone other than the applicant or a family member) and certification of finances
  • Submission of all the required materials detailed in the application for admission by the January 1 application deadline

Students who complete their fourth (senior) year at Simmons College must earn a minimum of 3.0 and receive grades of B- or better in all courses in order to be in good academic standing in the physical therapy program. Students who receive a passing grade in these courses but do not meet these academic criteria will have earned sufficient credits at Simmons College to complete a baccalaureate degree from MCPHS.

*There is an option for students to complete four years at MCPHS and enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program following their senior year at MCPHS.

The Simmons College School for Health Studies offers these benefits:

  • Simmons College School for Health Studies graduate application fee will be waived for applicants in their third and fourth year at MCPHS
  • The GRE will be waived for applicants in their fourth year at MCPHS
  • Each accepted applicant will be offered a Dean’s scholarship, as follows:
    • Students admitted in their third year at MCPHS will receive a Dean’s scholarship in their second year at Simmons College if they earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 at Simmons College
    • Students admitted in their fourth year at MCPHS will receive a Dean’s scholarship upon entry in the first year at Simmons College if they earn a final overall GPA of 3.5 at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
    • The amount of the Dean’s scholarship awards for each entering class is variable each year. The individual scholarship will be renewable each year for the duration of the program (2 years for juniors and 3 years for seniors) for each student for the same amount as the initial award
    • To retain the Dean’s scholarship, the student must remain enrolled full-time, not take a leave of absence, and be in good academic standing, as defined in the Simmons College Student Handbook
    • Dean’s scholarships will not cover the full cost of tuition.