4-3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Pathway

a physical therapy patient stretches using a resistance band

The 4-3 Doctor of Physical Therapy pathway offers Occidental students the opportunity to streamline their admission process to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Through the pathway, qualified students complete their bachelor’s degree in designated majors at �鶹��ý before entering the three-year DPT program at the Worcester campus of (MCPHS).

The 4-3 pathway provides Occidental students with a liberal arts education, leadership opportunities, and built-in physical therapy observation hours to prepare students for the DPT program at MCPHS. Occidental students have the flexibility to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, kinesiology, physics, or any other degree program that is approved in writing by �鶹��ý and MCPHS University.

Occidental students aspiring to become physical therapists will be guaranteed an interview and have priority consideration in the admission process to the DPT program at MCPHS, Worcester campus. Applicants must complete the DPT pathway prerequisites, fill out an intent to apply form through the MCPHS online form before October 15 of their senior year, and apply to MCPHS through (PTCAS) no later than December 1 of their senior year.

Adviser: Kat Wang, Director of Pre-health Advising

MCPHS admission requirements for Occidental students

Complete an advising meeting with the Occidental’s office of pre-health advising.
Complete the . Students are encouraged to review for up-to-date admission requirements.
Declare intent to apply to MCPHS no later than October 15 of the student’s fourth/senior year (the year preceding the intended enrollment year) by completing the .
Complete a transfer application through no later than December 1 of the student’s fourth/senior year (the year preceding the intended enrollment year).

Program FAQs

To qualify for the 4-3 Articulation Agreement with MCPHS, students must complete the DPT program admission requirements and obtain a bachelor’s degree from �鶹��ý. No specific GPA is required. No standardized exam is required to apply to the 4-3 DPT pathway with MCPHS.

Reach out to prehealthadvising@oxy.edu to review any majors not listed on this webpage. Alternative majors will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

At MCPHS, physical therapy students begin working with patients during their first semester and progressively increase their time in clinics, hospitals, or community-based settings. The DPT clinical affiliations at MCPHS include in Boston, one of the largest inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the U.S. and consistently ranked as one of the country's top rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. In their third year, students will undertake full-time, off-campus clinical experience at approved sites. In California, this includes sites in Los Angeles, Burbank, San Diego, Carlsbad, Albany, Bakersfield, and Modesto.

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