Program Overview

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Pre-Physical Therapy Program

The Pre-Physical Therapy Program is a 4+2.3 program that allows students to earn a Bachelor's degree from Westminster College and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Chatham University.

Program Overview

Up to two currently enrolled Westminster students in the Pre-Physical Therapy Program will be guaranteed acceptance into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Chatham University upon the attainment of their bachelor's degree, if certain criteria are met. The Chatham DPT program requires seven terms of study (or 2.3 years), which includes 36 weeks of supervised clinical practice.

Admission Requirements for Chatham's DPT Program

To be admitted to the DPT program, students must satisfactorily complete the following criteria at Westminster:

• A minimum of a grade of C in each pre-requisite course (C- not accepted), with the exception of Anatomy, which requires a minimum of a grade of B-.
• Pre-requisite courses include:
  • Biology with lab, two courses
  • Chemistry with lab, two courses
  • Physics with lab, two courses
  • Anatomy and Physiology with lab, two courses
  • Statistics or Research Methods
  • One course in Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development
• A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better on a scale of 4.0.
• A cumulative pre-requisite GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 with at least 60% (24 credits) of the ten pre-requisite courses completed by the interview date.
• Successful campus interview and writing sample.
• Successful completion of all Chatham University DPT admission requirements, which include:
  • Completion of the online application through Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), submitted by the admissions deadline
  • Volunteer or work experience in a minimum of two different physical therapy locations OR two different physical therapy settings
  • Three letters of reference (two professors and one licensed physical therapist OR one professor and two licensed physical therapists)

Suggested Westminster Curriculum for the 4+2.3 Physical Therapy Program

The suggested curriculum for the Pre-Physical Therapy Program is as follows:

First Year (Fall)

• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Principles of Chemistry
• Inquiry
• Speech or Writing
• Westminster 101

First Year (Spring)

• Organismal Biology and Ecology
• Calculus I
• Speech or Writing
• Foreign Language at 201-level

Sophomore Year (Fall)

• Biostatistics
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Organic Chemistry I
• Visual or Performing Arts Elective

Sophomore Year (Spring)

• Ecology
• Organic Chemistry II
• Humanity or Culture Elective
• Religion or Philosophy Elective

Junior Year (Fall)

• Physiology
• Foundations of Physics I
• Biochemistry
• Principles of Sociology

Junior Year (Spring)

• Microbiology
• Foundations of Physics II
• Biology Capstone I
• Lifespan Development

Senior Year (Fall)

• Anatomy and Physiology I
• Biology Capstone II
• Cluster Course Elective
• Cluster Course Elective

Senior Year (Spring)

• Anatomy and Physiology II
• Chemistry Elective
• Elective Course
• Elective Course

Additional Information

Students who are not participating in the articulation agreement will be guaranteed an interview for consideration of acceptance into Chatham's Doctor of Physical Therapy program if they meet certain criteria.