Physical Therapy

Nazareth College offers a physical therapy program leading to the degree of Master of Science. Students may enter as freshmen and pursue a combined degree of B.S. in Health Science and M.S. in Physical Therapy, or may enter the professional program directly if they meet all prerequisite course requirements or their equivalents.

The M.S. degree in Physical Therapy builds on the health sciences with the necessary professional education in physical therapy. Course work is combined with clinical experience where students practice their skills under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Students who have completed the Bachelor of Science degree and who plan on matriculating in the Master of Science in Physical Therapy program will spend three years in full-time study. Part-time study is not an option.

The Physical Therapy Program at Nazareth College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). In addition to CAPTE, the New York State Education Department is a federally registered accrediting agency for professional programs and it has approved Nazareth College’s program in physical therapy. Graduates of the program have the privilege of sitting for the licensure examination for practicing in New York State.

Program Director
Jennifer Collins, Ed.D., P.T.

Entry Requirements

Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 2.75 and a 3.0 average in the major field. Please note: while the minimum required cumulative index is 2.75, in most cases graduate level students enter this program of study with 3.0 or above.
Presentation of official transcripts.
Two letters of recommendation.
Application and fee.
Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.
The Physical Therapy Department will directly contact an applicant following review of his or her application materials to arrange an interview.

Application Deadlines

For Fall Term only:
The application deadline is the first of every month, except in the months of January, August, and December when no admissions decisions are made.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants whose undergraduate/graduate preparation in health sciences is deficient will be required to complete pre-requisite courses in an extended program. The following course work, or equivalents, is required before a student may begin Master of Science in Physical Therapy coursework: general biology with laboratory; inorganic chemistry with laboratory; anatomy and physiology with laboratory; physics with laboratory; human gross anatomy with laboratory.

Since Gross Anatomy (HSC306) is only offered in the summer term, graduate students may be admitted to the Master of Science in Physical Therapy program without having completed this pre-requisite requirement, but must successfully pass Gross Anatomy before taking additional program coursework.

Preparatory Physical Therapy Coursework

Applicants must also have completed a minimum of 35 credit hours of undergraduate coursework in the areas of neuroscience I and II, pathophysiology, patient management I and II, ethics, professional seminar, kinesiology, management of child neuromus problems, management of adult neuromus problems, professional issues, and intro to reasearch methods. Students must obtain a grade of “B” or higher in all prerequisite courses to continue in the program. See the Nazareth Undergraduate Catalog for specific coursework requirements in the five-year Health Science/Physical Therapy program.