Widener undergraduate students who enroll in a pre-physical therapy pathway are at an advantage when applying for admission into the university’s competitive physical therapy doctoral program. Students have several options that lead to admission to the Widener doctoral program.
Undergraduates entering a pre-physical therapy pathway must choose one of 11 academic majors offered in the College of Arts and Sciences. While pursuing their undergraduate degree, students also take courses that are pre-requisites for the graduate physical therapy program via one of two pathways.
Pathway One: Accelerated Reserved Seat 3+3
Incoming freshmen with exceptional high school transcripts who have performed well in science courses may be offered the accelerated reserved seat 3+3 program. This reserves a spot for the student in Widener’s graduate physical therapy program. To hold their reserved seat, students must follow the program, meet the minimum GPA requirement, receive the minimum required grades in all pre-requisite courses, and meet all other requirements for admission to the graduate physical therapy program—including completing all prerequisite courses at Widener University— during their first three years of undergraduate study. Students must also provide documentation of at least 40 hours of observation in a physical therapy facility under a licensed physical therapist. 3+3 students who have retained their reserved seat will submit their documents for matriculation into the graduate program in the fall of their junior year.
Undergraduate 3+3 students effectively complete their senior year in their first year of graduate school. After successfully completing three years of undergraduate school and three years of graduate school, they earn their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Pathway Two: Reserved Seat 4+3
Most incoming freshmen accepted into a pre-physical therapy pathway receive the reserved seat 4+3 admission. This reserves them a spot in Widener’s graduate physical therapy program and includes all of the same requirements and benefits as the 3+3 reserved seat admission program. The 4+3 option allows students to complete all required courses for their academic major and all pre-requisite courses for the graduate program in four years. It provides a less intense class schedule for students as they finish undergraduate study in the traditional four-year span. Students will submit their documents for matriculation to the graduate program in the fall of their senior year.