College of Healthcare Professions

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

DeSales’ accelerated DPT program helps you reach your goals faster. Our curriculum will prepare you for a successful career in physical therapy. Develop expert skills to work in a clinic, hospital, or rehabilitation center.

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Program Details

Official Degree Name: Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Format: In Class-Day Online Blended

Program Start: Fall Semester

Application Deadline: Apply Anytime
Average Time to Degree: 3+3 Years

Why Get Your Health Science Degree at DeSales University?

DeSales’ Health Science program provides a seamless path to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Take courses in the region’s only gross anatomy laboratory, our huge medical simulation center, and our standardized patient care suites. If you're looking for a dynamic program that will allow you to get your DPT in as little as six years, choose DeSales!

Program Highlights

Learn More in Less Time

Reach your goal of working as a licensed DPT faster— without sacrificing quality. Our Health Science program grants you entry into the DPT program after three years of accelerated undergraduate studies. Plus, the coursework is designed to give you a foundation for success in the DPT program.

Proven Outcomes

The DeSales Health Sciences program and DPT are top notch, and we have the numbers and outcomes to back it up. 100% of DeSales DPT grads from the classes of 2022 and 2023 successfully completed the program. In 2021-2022, 100% of DPT students passed the National Physical Therapy Examination. Better yet, DeSales has seen a 100% employment rate for DPT graduates since 2021.

Leadership and Character Development

You’ll find community and connection in the Health Science to DPT program. Learn to innovate in state-of-the-art facilities from experts in the field. Collaborate with other health science students, preparing you to work on clinical care teams. Practice our Salesian roots by sharing your expertise with the community.

What Will You Study?

Health Science to DPT is a truly comprehensive learning experience. Our curriculum includes starting year one in our gross anatomy lab to community outreach and clinical work.

Advance to Doctorate level courses in year four of your Health Science program.

Human Structure and Function I and II
Fundamentals of General Chemistry
Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry
Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
Research and Statistics in Exercise Physiology
Personality: Theory and Research

Outcomes & Careers

Students who graduate will have:

Specialized competence in physical therapy practice to provide leadership and make significant contributions in the physical therapy profession
The knowledge and skills necessary to apply and contribute to advanced research in physical therapy practice
A deepened understanding of Christian conscience as it is applied to ethical problems in healthcare and physical therapy practice

DeSales’ DPT grads have gone on to be gainfully employed in the field of Physical Therapy medicine. DPT outcomes include:

High Graduation Rate – DeSales students continually surpass the program goal of 95%.
Strong Employment Rate – Defined by CAPTE as the percentage of graduates who sought employment that were employed (full-time or part-time) as a physical therapist within one year following graduation. DeSales consistently meets the program goal of 100%.
High National Physical Therapy Examination Pass Rate – defined in two ways: (1) first-time pass rate as compared with the national average and (2) ultimate pass rate. DeSales meets its program goals of a 95% first-time pass rate and a 100% ultimate pass rate.

Admission Requirements

The Health Science (3+3 DPT) Program requires a two-step admissions process which includes academic acceptance to the University followed by an interview with the Health Science program for qualified applicants.
If applying test optional, a 3.7 cumulative, unweighted GPA is required.
If a student chooses to apply using test scores, a 1270 SAT or 26 ACT score is required to qualify for the Health Science interview process. If applying with test scores, they will be used to determine eligibility for the interview.

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Program Support

Student-Run PT Clinic

Our student run, faculty and alumni supervised clinic provides integrated experiential learning for students and pro bono care for the under-insured and uninsured members of DeSales University and the Lehigh Valley.

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Stress-Free Financial Aid

In our 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.

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Science with a Salesian Flair

At DeSales, learning goes deeper than textbooks and tests. You’ll learn with our core values in mind; gentleness, humility, gratitude, hospitality, and wisdom. Our Health Science to DPT program is centered on the values of respect for the individual, of gentleness and humility, and of treating each other with dignity and honesty.

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

Program Details

Why Get Your Health Science Degree at DeSales University?