Programs

Overview

This pathway allows third-year Premedical and Health Studies students to apply to the MCPHS-Worcester Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

Program Highlights

• Faculty mentors with years of expertise in both teaching and advising pre-health professions students
• A strong peer support network of pre-health students, including a Premedical Society and Minority Association of Health Professions Students Chapter 
• Research fellowships, clinical internships, and volunteer and shadowing opportunities in the Longwood Medical area and Greater Boston

Program Details 

Physical Therapy (BS/DPT; MCPHS University) 

During the third year of the Bachelor of Science in Premedical and Health Studies program, students are eligible to apply to the MCPHS University-Worcester Doctor of Physical Therapy program. If accepted, students move into the DPT program and earn the bachelor of science degree in Premedical and Health Studies at the end of the first professional year (their fourth year at the University) and the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) three years later.

This entry-level DPT program will prepare students for evidence-based practice that is needed for contemporary and autonomous physical therapy clinical practice. The curriculum is designed to include the elements of:

• Foundational sciences
• Clinical sciences
• Evidence-based practice
• Professional roles and practice issues
• Health care systems
• Management competencies in the educational preparation of physical therapists.

The coursework is designed to reinforce and build on each element so students can synthesize and apply the learned material to a variety of clinical, research and management situations.

One of the highlights of this graduate program is the focus on building meaningful clinical experiences and service learning from early in the program to the full time clinical education experiences at the end. Students will participate in integrated clinical experiences that build on didactic information; and each semester will reflect the course content. For instance, when the students are in the acute care courses, they will be assigned to area acute care settings to see specialty clinics, post surgical management and intensive care.

For more information, please see our Premed FAQs.

Admission Requirements

The following requirements apply to all avenues of application for the DPT Program, including the MCPHS University Premedical and Health Studies physical therapy progression pathway.

• Minimum overall GPA and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum grade of B- in all prerequisite courses
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Three letters of recommendation; at least one professional and one academic preferred
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with minimum scores of 550 per section
• Personal statement (500-1,000 words)
• On-campus faculty interview (by invitation only)
• Minimum 10 hours of physical therapy exposure/experience documented from the clinical setting, not time as a patient
• Official TOEFL (minimum of 213 computer based or 79 iBT) or ILETS (minimum 6.5) scores for all applicants whose primary language is not English
• Official transcripts from international colleges or universities must be submitted to CED, ECE, or WES for a course-by-course evaluation. MCPHS University requires both the official international transcript(s) and an evaluated copy.

Prospective students may apply to the program with outstanding prerequisites. Applicants should include a plan for the completion of the outstanding coursework with their application. All prerequisites must be completed and confirmed prior to matriculation in the DPT program.

In order to qualify for admission to the DPT program, students majoring in Premedical and Health Sciences at MCPHS University should take an Introduction to Public Health course before matriculating to the DPT program. Faculty mentors will assist students with the placement of this course in their curriculum.

Premed Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I keep my scholarships after I transition into the professional phase of the Premedical and Health Studies Professional Pathways?

A: Yes, provided the professional phase is taught here at MCPHS University and you must maintain the minimum GPA requirement of the scholarship.

Q: If I decide not to pursue the Professional Pathways, what can I do with a Bachelor of Science in Premedical & Health Studies?

A: You can go on to do research, work in a lab, or go to school to teach. By adding a minor, your B.S. in Premedical & Health Studies becomes a very flexible degree.

Q: Does the University provide research opportunities to Premedical & Health Studies students?

A: MCPHS University has a SURF program, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), which affords research opportunities with our own faculty to qualified students. In addition, there are many opportunities in the area hospitals and research facilities, some of which are Harvard Affiliates.

Curriculum

Year I - Fall

COURSE	TITLE	SEMESTER HOURS
BIO 150L	Biology I Laboratory	1
BIO 151	Biology I: Cell and Molecular Biology	3
CHE 131	Chemical Principles I (w/lab)	4
FYS 101	First Year Seminar	1
LIB 111	Expository Writing I	3
MAT 151	Calculus I	3
TOTAL		15

Year I - Spring

COURSE	TITLE	SEMESTER HOURS
BIO 152	Biology II: Biology of Organisms (w/lab)	4
CHE 132	Chemical Principles II (w/lab)	4
LIB 112	Expository Writing II	3
LIB 120	Introduction to Psychology	3
MAT 152	Calculus II	3
TOTAL		17

 Year II - Fall

COURSE	TITLE	SEMESTER HOURS
BEH 250	Health Psychology	3
LIB 220	Intro to Interpersonal Communication for Health Professionals	3
CHE 231	Organic Chemistry I w/lab	4
LIB 133	American Culture, Identity, and Public Life	3
LIB 205	Health Professions Orientation Seminar	1
MAT 261	Statistics	3
TOTAL		17

Year II - Spring

COURSE	TITLE	SEMESTER HOURS
BIO 255	Medical Microbiology (w/lab)	4
CHE 232	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHE 234L	Organic Chemistry II Lab	1
BEH 350	Abnormal Psychology	3
BEH 352	Human Development	3
SSC 230	Cultural Anthropology   - or	3
SSC 495	Evolution of the Health Professions	3
TOTAL		17

 

Year III - Fall

COURSE	TITLE	SEMESTER HOURS
BIO 110	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BEH 451	Research Methods	3
PHY 270	Foundations of Physics I	3
PHY 272L	Foundations of Physics I Lab	1
	Humanities Elective	3
	Exercise Physiology (available at Simmons College or online)	3
TOTAL		17

Year III - Spring

COURSE	TITLE	SEMESTER HOURS
	Behavioral Sciences *	3
BIO 210	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
LIB 512	Health Care Ethics	3
PHY 274	Foundations of Physics II (w/lab)	4
	General Elective	3
TOTAL		17

*Third year BEH requirement: students take BEH 260 Behavioral Health, BEH 405 Mind/Body Medicine,  BEH 454 Stress and Illness, or BEH 457 Drugs and Behavior.

Accreditation

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is authorized to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences and related fields. MCPHS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. 

Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee exists to support students who are seeking admission to medical school or other health professional schools. When it is determined that a committee letter is warranted, the committee composes an evaluative letter that incorporates the student's reference letters, academic credentials, community service and extracurricular activities, research accomplishments, and other relevant personal data. The Committee may also coordinate mock interviews for students who are completing secondary applications.

The Committee members pursue liaison or working relationships with medical and professional school representatives and admissions committees. They attend national or regional meetings of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) and share pertinent materials and knowledge acquired at these meetings with colleagues and students. The Committee also periodically reviews and updates the Premedical and Health Studies degree program requirements, embedded minor concentrations, and affiliated professional school pathways.

The Committee is composed of the Premedical and Health Studies Program Director, Assistant Director, and faculty program mentors and is chaired by the Program Director or Assistant Director. Faculty program mentors hold office hours for advising, serve as contacts for specific pathways, write letters of recommendation, and participate in pre-health professions events in addition to their teaching, service and research responsibilities.

Graduates of the College have been accepted at a number of medical and dental schools, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Boston University, Dartmouth School of Medicine, Duke University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Medical College of Virginia, Michigan State University, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, the State University of New York at Brooklyn, the State University of New York at Buffalo, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Syracuse University, Tulane University, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts, and the University of Vermont.

Recently, Premedical & Health Studies majors have had acceptances to the following programs:

• Masters of Physician Assistant studies program at MCPHS
• M.D./M.P.H. programs at Tufts Univ. School of Medicine and Tulane Univ. School of Medicine
• M.D. programs at Univ. of Vermont, Univ. of Massachusetts, Commonwealth Medical College, Ross Univ. & St. Georges Univ.
• D.P.M. program at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
• D.V.M. program at Tufts University and Colorado State Univ.
• D.M.D. programs at Tufts University and Boston University Schools of Dentistry
• accelerated BSN program at MCPHS, Nurse Practitioner track
• clinical research internships with the National Institutes of Health IRT program and Harvard Medical School
• O.D. degree program at Pennsylvania College of Optometry & accelerated O.D. degree at the New England College of Optometry
• and many others 
  

For Transfers

MCPHS welcomes students from other institutions. Any applicant to MCPHS who has completed at least one semester of college coursework (12 credits or more) is considered to be a transfer applicant. Students who have been out of high school for more than two years are strongly encouraged to take math and science courses at another accredited college or university and then to apply for transfer to MCPHS.

The transfer requirements may be different for different MCPHS programs. To find the requirements for transferring into this program, please click the link below.

Transfer Requirements for Premedical and Health Studies (BS) (Boston)