Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences – Doctor of Physical Therapy (BSBS–DPT) Program Accelerated Pathway

• BSBS Undergraduate Curriculum

• Faculty

Program description

The BSBS–DPT 3+3 Program offers a streamlined, rigorous pathway for students pursuing a career in physical therapy. Building on the strong academic foundation of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BSBS) program, this accelerated program allows highly motivated students to complete both their undergraduate degree and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in six years instead of the traditional seven.

During the first three years, students complete the BSBS curriculum, gaining essential scientific preparation in areas such as anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics and other foundational subjects that support advanced study in the health professions. The BSBS degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of professional and graduate programs in medical and biomedical sciences, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, nutrition science, and public health. Within this rigorous yet flexible curriculum, students in the 3+3 program select core courses that best support their goal of entering the physical therapy profession.

Qualified students who meet progression standards matriculate into the DPT program in their fourth year. Their first-year DPT coursework simultaneously fulfills the remaining requirements for the BSBS degree, allowing them to transition seamlessly into the graduate phase of their training. The final two years focus entirely on advanced physical therapy education, clinical practice, and professional development.

The BSBS–DPT 3+3 Program is designed for students seeking an efficient, focused, and academically robust route to becoming licensed physical therapists, combining foundational biomedical sciences with early immersion in professional training.

BSBS-DPT Advising

Students interested in the BSBS-DPT accelerated program must be assigned to a BSBS faculty advisor. Students enrolled in the accelerated program will be assigned to an advisor in both BSBS and DPT to facilitate program progression and completion. See the Academic Advising section in the catalog.

Program Application Deadline

Fall Intake – July 1

BSBS-DPT Admission

To be accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences- Doctor of Physical Therapy (BSBS-DPT) program, a student must: 

1. Submit an application online and a nonrefundable $20 application fee.

2. Have a minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.50, or a minimum GPA of 3.50 on at least 12 college credits if credits were earned through a dual enrollment program while in high school.

3. AHU strongly encourages applicants who have ACT and/or SAT scores to submit them during the application process, but submission is not required. If submitted, the scores will be used in the interview process, similar to other student achievements that are evaluated. Applicants are reviewed holistically, and ACT/SAT scores may be considered as one measure of academic performance.

4. The BSBS-DPT program is intended for first-time college students. This includes students currently enrolled in high school who are taking college courses through dual enrollment.

5. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee an invitation for an interview.  Every applicant who wishes to be accepted to the program must complete the interview process.

6. Transition to DPT Catalog Governance

   Upon progression into the DPT program, students are governed exclusively by the current DPT Program Catalog and all associated academic, clinical, and professional policies, including the DPT program’s completion requirements, for the remainder of their studies.

   This governance applies beginning with the first two trimesters of the DPT program (32 graduate credits), even though these credits are also applied toward completion of the BSBS degree. All graduate-level coursework (500-level and above) is considered part of the DPT program and is therefore subject to DPT policies, standards, and progression requirements.

BSBS-DPT Progression

Progression in the undergraduate portion of the BSBS-DPT program

Students may progress toward a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences-Doctor of  Physical Therapy degrees  when they:

1. Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.50.

2. Earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in all BSBS required courses and electives for the degree, while maintaining a 3.5 overall GPA.  Students must note that the DPT catalog states that only one C can be earned during the DPT curriculum for progression, or the student may be subject to dismissal.

3. Successfully repeat courses in which a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) was not achieved. Students can only repeat the same courses one time.

BSBS-DPT Dismissal

1. Dismissal from the BSBS–DPT Program
   Students may be dismissed from the BSBS portion of the BSBS–DPT 3+3 Program for academic deficiencies, violations of academic and/or professionalism standards, or breaches of student conduct policies as outlined in the Catalog and Student Handbook. Once dismissed from the BSBS–DPT Program, students are not eligible for re-entry into the 3+3 pathway.  Once dismissed from the BSBS-DPT program, DPT faculty will no longer advise the student.

2. Continuation in the BSBS Degree
   Students dismissed from the BSBS–DPT Program must request approval from the BST Department Chair to continue pursuing the stand-alone BSBS degree. Students wishing to pursue admission to the DPT program after dismissal must apply as a graduate applicant through PTCAS and will be considered alongside the general applicant pool.

3. Course Enrollment Restrictions After Dismissal
   Students dismissed from the combined BSBS-DPT and BSBS stand-alone program are no longer considered in the major and fall under General Education and University enrollment guidelines. As a result, they may register only for 100- and 200-level courses. Enrollment in 300- and 400-level BSBS courses is restricted to students officially admitted into the BSBS major.

4. Right to Appeal
   Students have the right to appeal dismissal decisions in accordance with the University Academic Appeal Policy. Appeals must follow established University procedures and timelines.

Academic Performance Plan 

Depending on the needs of the student, faculty will refer the students to a particular staff member or service area that can include:  

• Meeting with Chaplains

• Meeting with Behavioral Health Counselor

• Meeting with relevant tutors

• Meeting with Academic Advisor(s)

• Meeting with Department or Institution administration. 

BSBS Undergraduate Portion Completion Policy

AdventHealth University will consider students for graduation and conferral of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BSBS) degree upon meeting all general University graduation requirements (see Graduation in the Academic Information section) and the following program-specific criteria:

1. Credit and GPA Requirements: Students must successfully complete all required courses as presented in the BSBS-DPT curriculum, totaling a minimum of 90 undergraduate trimester hours, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.

• BS Degree Conferral: The BSBS degree is awarded after successful completion of 2 terms of Year 1 in the DPT program, at which point students will have a minimum of 122 total credits (90 credits undergraduate + 32 credits graduate).

2. DPT Year-One Completion: Successful completion of the first 2 terms of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is required to fulfill the remaining upper-division requirements for the BSBS degree within the BSBS-DPT accelerated pathway.

3. Minimum Course Grades: Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” or above in all required BSBS and first-year DPT courses, as well as any electives applied toward the BSBS degree. Students must note that the DPT catalog only allows one earned C in any of the DPT curriculum courses, or the student may be subject to dismissal. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours in residence at AdventHealth University.

4. Service-Learning Requirement: Completion of the service-learning requirement embedded within designated BSBS courses.

5. Transition to DPT Catalog: After entering the DPT program, students will follow the DPT catalog and all associated policies, including the DPT program’s completion requirements, for the remainder of their professional studies.

Students who meet all University and program requirements will be eligible for graduation and conferral of the BSBS degree.

Professional Exposure, Recommendation Requirement, and Compliance Requirement for Progression to DPT

Students who successfully complete all academic and program requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (undergraduate portion of the BSBS–DPT program) will not be required to participate in a second interview, submit GRE scores, or submit an application through PTCAS to matriculate to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (graduate portion of the BSBS-DPT program) at AdventHealth University.

Admission to the graduate (DPT) portion of the BSBS-DPT pathway is guaranteed upon successful completion of all undergraduate program requirements, provided students meet all applicable academic, professional, and compliance standards. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Physical Therapy Exposure Requirement:
  To ensure appropriate exposure to the physical therapy profession, students must submit one letter of recommendation from a licensed Physical Therapist before entering the DPT portion of the program. This letter must attest to the student’s observation, shadowing, volunteering, or other professional engagement within a physical therapy setting and cannot be obtained from a PT that the student received care from.  The letter must be submitted to the DPT Department Chair during the final term of the undergraduate portion of the BSBS-DPT program, and prior to progression to the DPT curriculum phase.  
• DPT Program Compliance Requirements:
  Prior to progression into the DPT program, students transitioning from the BSBS to the DPT portion of the pathway must complete all DPT-specific compliance requirements as outlined in the DPT Program Catalog. These requirements follow the same timeline established for current DPT admissions and may include, but are not limited to, TB testing, criminal background checks, required immunizations, drug screening, and other applicable health, safety, or compliance requirements.