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Physical Therapy
Dual Degree
Degrees
BA or BS + Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Departments
At a Glance
Studying physical therapy will equip you with the skills to help individuals recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve mobility. You’ll learn to improve patients’ quality of life through everything from personalized treatment plans and prescribed exercise to hands-on care and patient education. The physical therapy field offers rewarding careers with diverse opportunities and job stability; the employment rate is projected to grow by 14% by 2033.
Dual-Degree Program Options
Get a jumpstart on your future through TCNJ’s formal articulation agreement with the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, which enables you to apply and be accepted to both TCNJ and Jefferson’s physical therapy doctoral program as a first-year student. Either of the two pathways below will put you on the fast track to a successful career.
Biology + Physical Therapy, BA/DPT or BS/DPT
First-year applicants can gain direct admission to the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences in this 7-year (4+3) dual-degree program.
Kinesiology and Health Sciences + Physical Therapy, BS/DPT
First-year applicants can gain direct admission to the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences in this 7-year (4+3) dual-degree program.
About the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences
The Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, located in Philadelphia, offers occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, athletic training, and exercise science programs. Jefferson is dedicated to enriching lives through research, education, and rehabilitation.
Application Process
- Follow the general admission process and submit the Common Application by December 1. The early decision option is not available due to the program’s specific timeline. You must also complete a supplemental application through TCNJ’s application portal. The supplemental application will be available only if you have a minimum 3.3 cumulative high-school GPA.
- Jefferson will review your supplemental application, with selections finalized by March 15.
- If you are not selected by Thomas Jefferson University, you will still be eligible for admission to TCNJ under the alternate program of study indicated in your Common Application.
Eligibility Requirements
Before enrolling at Thomas Jefferson University, you must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA at TCNJ.
- Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in science prerequisite courses, with no grade lower than a C+ in Biology I and II (with labs), Anatomy and Physiology I & II (with labs), Chemistry I and II (with labs), and Physics I and II (with labs).
- Earn a grade of C+ or higher in all other physical therapy prerequisite courses.
- Complete all prerequisite courses at TCNJ, except for non-science courses, which may be fulfilled through AP, IB, or dual-credit coursework from another college.
- Complete at least 50 hours of physical therapy observation in two different settings as a TCNJ student.
Contact Anne Farrell, chair, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, for more information about this program.
