Health Sciences BS and Physical Therapy DPT Bridge Program

Major: Health Sciences and Physical Therapy
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 271.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Six years)

 

About the Program

Drexel’s undergraduate Health Sciences program and graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program have partnered to offer a BS/DPT Bridge program option available to high-achieving students enrolled in the Health Sciences program. The BS/DPT Bridge program is a linked academic track that enables students to complete their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees in six years.

Students pursue a BS degree in Health Sciences during their first three years of study and a DPT degree during their final two and a half years of study. The bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences is awarded following completion of year four (first year of graduate study), and the doctoral degree is awarded following completion of the Physical Therapy program.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the Health Sciences Department.

Degree Requirements

General Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
HSCI 111Introduction to Health Professions1.0
UNIV NH101The Drexel Experience1.0
English Sequence **
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
Biology Sequence **
BIO 131
BIO 134
Cells and Biomolecules
and Cells and Biomolecules Lab
1.0-5.0
BIO 132
BIO 135
Genetics and Evolution
and Genetics and Evolution Lab
1.0-5.0
BIO 133
BIO 136
Physiology and Ecology
and Anatomy and Ecology Lab
1.0-5.0
BIO 226Microbiology for Health Professionals5.0
Chemistry Sequence **
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.5
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
CHEM 103General Chemistry III4.5
Mathematics Sequence **
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
MATH 102Introduction to Analysis II4.0
Physics for Life Sciences
PHYS 152Introductory Physics I4.0
PHYS 153Introductory Physics II4.0
Communications
COM 320Science Writing3.0
Health Systems
HSAD 210Health-Care Ethics I3.0
Select one of the following courses:3.0
Advanced Health-Care Ethics
Introduction to Health-Systems Administration
Ethics in Health Care Management
Psychology
PSY 101General Psychology I3.0
Select one of the following courses:3.0
Any BACS (Behavioral Health Counseling) 100-499 course
Any PSY (Psychology) 100-499 course
Sociology
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3.0
Select one SOC (Sociology) 100-499 course4.0
Public Health
PBHL 101Public Health 1013.0
Select one PBHL (Public Health) 100-499 course3.0
Anatomy & Physiology Courses
HSCI 206Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences I5.0
HSCI 207Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences II5.0
HSCI 208Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences III 5.0
Research Courses
HSCI 310Introduction to Research Methods4.0
HSCI 315Current Issues in Health Sciences4.0
or HSCI 450 Undergraduate Research Experience
Statistics and Assessment
HSCI 201Health Assessment through the Lifespan4.0
HSCI 345Statistics for Health Sciences4.5
Free Electives
Select any unrestricted 100-499 course3.0
Health Sciences Electives
Select 19.0 credits from the list below:19.0
Any HSCI (Health Sciences) 100-499 courses
Any NFS (Nutrition & Food Science) 100-499 courses
Up to two courses from the list below may be used as Health Sciences electives with advisor permission
Any BIO (Bioscience & Biotechnology) 299-499 course
Any CHEM (Chemistry) 200-499 course
Any PHYS (Physics) 200-499 course
Physical Therapy DPT Requirements ***
PTRS 507Neuroscience I3.0
PTRS 508Neuroscience II2.0
PTRS 530Kinesiology I4.0
PTRS 531Kinesiology II3.0
PTRS 532Human Gross Anatomy I4.0
PTRS 533Human Gross Anatomy II4.0
PTRS 534Physical Therapy Exam & Intervention I3.0
PTRS 535Physical Therapy Exam & Intervention II3.0
PTRS 600Clinical Reasoning4.0
PTRS 541Topics in Pathophysiology I3.0
PTRS 607Topics in Pathophysiology II3.0
PTRS 610Issues in Pharmacotherapy3.0
PTRS 613Integrated Clinical Experience I0.5
PTRS 614Integrated Clinical Experience II0.5
PTRS 615Integrated Clinical Experience III0.5
PTRS 616Integrated Clinical Experience IV0.5
PTRS 620Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Upper Extremity4.0
PTRS 621Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Lower Extremity4.0
PTRS 622Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Spine4.0
PTRS 623Physical Agents3.0
PTRS 624Functional Mobility3.0
PTRS 627Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy I4.0
PTRS 630Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy II3.0
PTRS 639Motor Learning2.0
PTRS 641Neurological Exam and Intervention I4.0
PTRS 642Neurological Exam and Intervention II5.0
PTRS 644Integumentary Physical Therapy1.5
PTRS 648Prosthetics and Orthotics3.0
PTRS 649Culture, Ethics and Interprofessionalism in Healthcare2.5
PTRS 654Topics in Health Policy & Services3.0
PTRS 655Health Administration2.5
PTRS 656Motor Control and Rehabilitation2.0
PTRS 663Pediatric Physical Therapy I3.5
PTRS 665Pediatric Physical Therapy II3.5
PTRS 680Geriatric Physical Therapy3.0
PTRS 733Advanced Clinical Reasoning2.0
PTRS 751Evidence-Based Practice3.0
PTRS 752Evidence-Based Practice II2.0
PTRS 791Clinical Experience I4.5
PTRS 792Terminal Clinical Experience II4.5
PTRS 793Terminal Clinical Experience III4.5
Electives
Select 6.0 credits of PTRS (Physical Therapy Rehab Science) 600 and 700 level 6.0
Total Credits259.0-271.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

All 100-Level freshman course requirements in BIO, CHEM, ENGL, and MATH must be completed by the time a student reaches 135.0 credits.

***

Students receive their BS degree in Health Sciences after successful completion of the Fall, Winter, and Spring term courses in the first year of the DPT curriculum and fulfilling the undergraduate degree requirements.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

Fall-Winter Co-op

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 131
BIO 134
Cells and Biomolecules
and Cells and Biomolecules Lab
1.0-5.0
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 3.5
ENGL 101
Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
3.0
HSCI 111 Introduction to Health Professions 1.0
UNIV NH101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
 Credits9.5-13.5
Winter
BIO 132
BIO 135
Genetics and Evolution
and Genetics and Evolution Lab
1.0-5.0
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 4.5
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
ENGL 102
Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
3.0
MATH 101 Introduction to Analysis I 4.0
 Credits13.5-17.5
Spring
BIO 133
BIO 136
Physiology and Ecology
and Anatomy and Ecology Lab
1.0-5.0
CHEM 103 General Chemistry III 4.5
ENGL 103
Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
3.0
MATH 102 Introduction to Analysis II 4.0
 Credits12.5-16.5
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
BIO 226 Microbiology for Health Professionals 5.0
HSCI 206 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences I 5.0
HSCI 310 Introduction to Research Methods 4.0
Health Science Elective 3.0
 Credits17
Winter
COOP 101 Career Management and Professional Development * 1.0
HSCI 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences II 5.0
HSCI 345 Statistics for Health Sciences 4.5
Health Science Elective 4.0
Free Elective 3.0
 Credits17.5
Spring
COM 320 Science Writing 3.0
HSCI 208 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences III 5.0
HSCI 315
Current Issues in Health Sciences
or Undergraduate Research Experience
4.0
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3.0
 Credits15
Summer
HSAD 210 Health-Care Ethics I 3.0
PSY 101 General Psychology I 3.0
Health Sciences Elective 4.0
Public Health Elective 3.0
Sociology Elective 4.0
 Credits17
Third Year
Fall
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Winter
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Spring
PBHL 101 Public Health 101 3.0
PHYS 152 Introductory Physics I 4.0
One of the following: 3.0
Advanced Health-Care Ethics  
Introduction to Health-Systems Administration  
Ethics in Health Care Management  
Health Sciences Electives 4.0
 Credits14
Summer
HSCI 201 Health Assessment through the Lifespan 4.0
PHYS 153 Introductory Physics II 4.0
Health Sciences Elective 4.0
Psychology Elective 3.0
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
PTRS 530 Kinesiology I 4.0
PTRS 532 Human Gross Anatomy I 4.0
PTRS 534 Physical Therapy Exam & Intervention I 3.0
PTRS 600 Clinical Reasoning 4.0
PTRS 613 Integrated Clinical Experience I 0.5
 Credits15.5
Winter
PTRS 531 Kinesiology II 3.0
PTRS 533 Human Gross Anatomy II 4.0
PTRS 535 Physical Therapy Exam & Intervention II 3.0
PTRS 541 Topics in Pathophysiology I 3.0
PTRS 614 Integrated Clinical Experience II 0.5
PTRS 624 Functional Mobility 3.0
 Credits16.5
Spring
PTRS 507 Neuroscience I 3.0
PTRS 615 Integrated Clinical Experience III 0.5
PTRS 620 Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Upper Extremity 4.0
PTRS 623 Physical Agents 3.0
PTRS 639 Motor Learning 2.0
PTRS 751 Evidence-Based Practice 3.0
 Credits15.5
Summer
PTRS 508 Neuroscience II 2.0
PTRS 616 Integrated Clinical Experience IV 0.5
PTRS 621 Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Lower Extremity 4.0
PTRS 627 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy I 4.0
PTRS 641 Neurological Exam and Intervention I 4.0
PTRS 752 Evidence-Based Practice II 2.0
 Credits16.5
Fifth Year
Fall
PTRS 622 Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Spine 4.0
PTRS 630 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy II 3.0
PTRS 644 Integumentary Physical Therapy 1.5
PTRS 648 Prosthetics and Orthotics 3.0
PTRS 649 Culture, Ethics and Interprofessionalism in Healthcare 2.5
PTRS 656 Motor Control and Rehabilitation 2.0
 Credits16
Winter
PTRS 791 Clinical Experience I 4.5
 Credits4.5
Spring
PTRS 610 Issues in Pharmacotherapy 3.0
PTRS 642 Neurological Exam and Intervention II 5.0
PTRS 655 Health Administration 2.5
PTRS 663 Pediatric Physical Therapy I 3.5
Elective 3.0
 Credits17
Summer
PTRS 607 Topics in Pathophysiology II 3.0
PTRS 654 Topics in Health Policy & Services 3.0
PTRS 665 Pediatric Physical Therapy II 3.5
PTRS 680 Geriatric Physical Therapy 3.0
PTRS 733 Advanced Clinical Reasoning 2.0
Elective 3.0
 Credits17.5
Sixth Year
Fall
PTRS 792 Terminal Clinical Experience II 4.5
 Credits4.5
Winter
PTRS 793 Terminal Clinical Experience III 4.5
 Credits4.5
 Total Credits259-271
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

 Spring-Summer Co-op

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 131
BIO 134
Cells and Biomolecules
and Cells and Biomolecules Lab
5.0
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 3.5
ENGL 101
Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
3.0
HSCI 111 Introduction to Health Professions 1.0
UNIV NH101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
 Credits13.5
Winter
BIO 132
BIO 135
Genetics and Evolution
and Genetics and Evolution Lab
5.0
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 4.5
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
ENGL 102
Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
3.0
MATH 101 Introduction to Analysis I 4.0
 Credits17.5
Spring
BIO 133
BIO 136
Physiology and Ecology
and Anatomy and Ecology Lab
5.0
CHEM 103 General Chemistry III 4.5
ENGL 103
Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
3.0
MATH 102 Introduction to Analysis II 4.0
 Credits16.5
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
BIO 226 Microbiology for Health Professionals 5.0
HSCI 206 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences I 5.0
HSCI 310 Introduction to Research Methods 4.0
Health Science Elective 3.0
 Credits17
Winter
HSCI 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences II 5.0
HSCI 345 Statistics for Health Sciences 4.5
Health Science Elective 4.0
Free Elective 3.0
 Credits16.5
Spring
COM 320 Science Writing 3.0
HSCI 208 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences III 5.0
HSCI 315
Current Issues in Health Sciences
or Undergraduate Research Experience
4.0
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3.0
 Credits15
Summer
COOP 101 Career Management and Professional Development * 1.0
HSAD 210 Health-Care Ethics I 3.0
PSY 101 General Psychology I 3.0
Health Science Elective 4.0
Public Health Elective 3.0
Sociology Elective 4.0
 Credits18
Third Year
Fall
PBHL 101 Public Health 101 3.0
PHYS 152 Introductory Physics I 4.0
One of the following: 3.0
Advanced Health-Care Ethics  
Introduction to Health-Systems Administration  
Ethics in Health Care Management  
Health Science Elective 4.0
 Credits14
Winter
HSCI 201 Health Assessment through the Lifespan 4.0
PHYS 153 Introductory Physics II 4.0
Health Science Elective 4.0
Psychology Elective 3.0
 Credits15
Spring
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Summer
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Fourth Year
Fall
PTRS 530 Kinesiology I 4.0
PTRS 532 Human Gross Anatomy I 4.0
PTRS 534 Physical Therapy Exam & Intervention I 3.0
PTRS 600 Clinical Reasoning 4.0
PTRS 613 Integrated Clinical Experience I 0.5
 Credits15.5
Winter
PTRS 531 Kinesiology II 3.0
PTRS 533 Human Gross Anatomy II 4.0
PTRS 535 Physical Therapy Exam & Intervention II 3.0
PTRS 541 Topics in Pathophysiology I 3.0
PTRS 614 Integrated Clinical Experience II 0.5
PTRS 624 Functional Mobility 3.0
 Credits16.5
Spring
PTRS 507 Neuroscience I 3.0
PTRS 615 Integrated Clinical Experience III 0.5
PTRS 620 Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Upper Extremity 4.0
PTRS 623 Physical Agents 3.0
PTRS 639 Motor Learning 2.0
PTRS 751 Evidence-Based Practice 3.0
 Credits15.5
Summer
PTRS 508 Neuroscience II 2.0
PTRS 616 Integrated Clinical Experience IV 0.5
PTRS 621 Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Lower Extremity 4.0
PTRS 627 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy I 4.0
PTRS 641 Neurological Exam and Intervention I 4.0
PTRS 752 Evidence-Based Practice II 2.0
 Credits16.5
Fifth Year
Fall
PTRS 622 Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Spine 4.0
PTRS 630 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy II 3.0
PTRS 644 Integumentary Physical Therapy 1.5
PTRS 648 Prosthetics and Orthotics 3.0
PTRS 649 Culture, Ethics and Interprofessionalism in Healthcare 2.5
PTRS 656 Motor Control and Rehabilitation 2.0
 Credits16
Winter
PTRS 791 Clinical Experience I 4.5
 Credits4.5
Spring
PTRS 610 Issues in Pharmacotherapy 3.0
PTRS 642 Neurological Exam and Intervention II 5.0
PTRS 655 Health Administration 2.5
PTRS 663 Pediatric Physical Therapy I 3.5
Elective 3.0
 Credits17
Summer
PTRS 607 Topics in Pathophysiology II 3.0
PTRS 654 Topics in Health Policy & Services 3.0
PTRS 665 Pediatric Physical Therapy II 3.5
PTRS 680 Geriatric Physical Therapy 3.0
PTRS 733 Advanced Clinical Reasoning 2.0
Elective 3.0
 Credits17.5
Sixth Year
Fall
PTRS 792 Terminal Clinical Experience II 4.5
 Credits4.5
Winter
PTRS 793 Terminal Clinical Experience III 4.5
 Credits4.5
 Total Credits271
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.