Colleges with 3+3, direct freshman entry, accelerated program for Physical Therapy?

Parents Forum
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Hi everyone,
I am a high school junior starting to look at colleges, I am very interested in Physical Therapy and planning to major in it. Im trying to find colleges that have a 3+3 year program, direct freshman entry or an accelerated program. Right now im looking at Temple University and Slippery Rock University because they both have a 3 year +3 year program. Is there a website out there that lists all the school with one? I know the APTA website has some schools listed on it but not all of them are on there! Thank You, PS if anyone has had any experiences with any colleges like this preferably on the East Coast please let me know !

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Not on the East coast but it fits some of your other criteria: https://www.slu.edu/programs/undergraduate/physical-therapy.php

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Lebanon Valley College has a 6 years. DPT program.

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The APTA website has all the accredited schools and you can filter by state and freshman entry, which should help narrow your search.

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Okay thank you!I was looking at the APTA online, but what really is the difference between the accredited school and non accredited schools? I know of a couple schools that offer accelerated dpt programs but they don’t come up when I go on the APTA website.

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The University of Evansville in Indiana (I realize not on the east coast) has 3+3 and 4+3 options. The advantage to their program is that any scholarships you receive as a freshmen stay with you for the entire program not just the undergrad portion like many other programs operate.

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If a school is not accredited by CAPTE, I believe you can’t sit for the board exam. Which programs are you looking at that aren’t accredited? Are they in the process of getting accredited? I would be very cautious in enrolling in an unaccredited program.

I’ll also agree with @Ivvcsf that even though Evansville is in the midwest, it’s worth a look for the great merit scholarships that you can use for all 6 or 7 years.

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You want to go to an accredited program.

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Maybe Quinnipiac?

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Thank You, I am looking at Slippery Rock in PA and Temple University in PA

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Check out Northeastern http://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/physical-therapy/programs/entry-level-dpt/

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Just make sure the college works for you in case you change your mind about PT.

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I’m the mom of a 2017 kiddo who has just gone through this process. A few things:

  1. They are ALL at private schools, so expect to spend more $$$.
  2. They are all in the north, so forget any southern warmth :-(

The ones we know of offhand are: Shenandoah U (VA), Duquesne (PA), St. Louis University (MO), Drexel (PA), St. Francis (PA), Marquette (WI), Boston University (MA). I have a full list at home that I can send later if you want it.

My daughter has just gone through this process including internships/ volunteer hours, applications, and campus visits and has been accepted to 3 programs and has decided on enrolling in one. If you have any specific questions about the process, we’d be happy to help out.

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My D got accepted to Marquette DPT program. Which school did your daughter chose to go?

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Springfield college and Simmons college (if you are female) both have the 3 plus 3. Simmons let’s you use your scholarship during the graduate time as well. Springfield considers you an undergrad during your 4th year for use of any scholarship monies. Also as somebody mentioned above Northeastern. While Quinnapiac says they are, they really aren’t as you need to take courses online (or elsewhere) during the summer undergrad (so you need to factor in those costs as well).

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UF Has a PT program. You still have to apply, but they accept many of their own. (I asked my PT today). She chose to finish at Nova, where she had a scholarship and is closer to home.

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@2017mdmom Thank You! If you could I would love the full list you have.

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Duquesne. Marquette was WAAAy too cold to even apply!

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I have gotten several messages requesting a list of programs. The best way to find a program is this link http://aptaapps.apta.org/accreditedschoolsdirectory/AllPrograms.aspx?UniqueKey=
and filter for Key Code A2. You may need to look them up state by state.

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I know someone who went to a pt program at Northeastern. Idk the details but they definitely have a program