Accelerated Programs

Sage has developed innovative 3+3 and 4 +3 programs where students can complete a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Russell Sage College and a Doctorate of in Physical Therapy.

Exceptionally prepared students entering Russell Sage College from high school or transferring students who are accepted into the accelerated 3+3 Program complete both a Bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in a total of six years.

Undergraduate transfer students who have completed courses at other institutions may be admitted to the accelerated program, with acceptance based on space availability, students’ qualifications, and previous college coursework.

Transfer students must complete a minimum of one academic year at Russell Sage College prior to entering the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, during which time college undergraduate major coursework, general education requirements and Doctor of Physical Therapy program course prerequisites must be completed.  In some cases this may take more than one year, and will be determined by advisement.

Students who are admitted to the accelerated 3+3 bachelor’s program are eligible to advance to the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program in their fourth year, providing they have completed a minimum of 90 undergraduate credits and meet the academic requirements for acceleration (listed below). Graduate-level Doctor of Physical Therapy courses begin in the summer following the third year. The bachelor’s degree is awarded in December of the fourth year, and students participate in the spring commencement ceremony.

 Undergraduate Major Options Leading to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy

These Russell Sage College undergraduate majors provide an excellent foundation for becoming a Physical Therapist and can be completed in a 3+3 or 4+3 format. Students choosing from among these majors will have faculty advisors in both undergraduate liberal arts and graduate PT departments.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy is awarded from the School of Health Sciences at the end of the sixth year. The first formal review for eligibility to accelerate into the professional program will occur at the end of the fall semester of the third year. Students not meeting the requirements for acceleration at that time will be re-reviewed at the end of the spring semester. If they meet the requirements at that time, they will be admitted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program on a space-available basis.

Students who are admitted to the pre-professional level of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program directly from high school are guaranteed continuation into the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program providing all Doctor of Physical Therapy prerequisite courses, academic requirements, and program requirements are met in a 3+3 accelerated program.  The successful high school applicant will demonstrate the following academic profile:

Transfer students who have completed courses at another institution may apply for admission to Russell Sage College for the Bachelor’s degree leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Transfer students who are admitted to the pre-professional level of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are guaranteed continuation into the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program providing all Doctor of Physical Therapy prerequisite courses, academic requirements and program requirements are met in a 3+3 accelerated program.  The successful transfer applicant will demonstrate the following academic profile:

Students who are admitted to the 4+3 program complete the bachelor’s degree in four years.  This program allows greater latitude for taking additional elective courses of interest to the student and may be more conducive to success.  Students who are admitted to the pre-professional level of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program are guaranteed continuation into the professional DPT program at the Sage Graduate Schools providing all prerequisite courses and academic/program requirements are met during completion of the 4+3 program.

Undergraduate transfer student who have completed courses at other institutions may progress into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, with acceptance based on space availability, students’ qualifications, and previous college coursework.  Transfer students must complete a minimum of 45 credits at RSC prior to entering the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, during which time undergraduate major coursework, general education requirements and Doctorate of Physical Therapy program course prerequisites must be completed.  In some cases it may take more than three terms to complete and this will be determined by advisement.

The baccalaureate degree is awarded in the spring of the fourth year. The Doctor of Physical Therapy is awarded from the School of Health Sciences at the end of the seventh year. The first formal review for eligibility to progress into the professional program will occur at the end of the fall semester of the fourth year at Russell Sage College.

Students not meeting the requirements for acceleration at that time will be re-reviewed at the end of the spring semester.  If they meet the requirements at that time, they will be admitted on a space-available basis.

High School Applicants
Students who are admitted to the pre-professional level of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy directly from high school are guaranteed continuation into the professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy providing all prerequisite courses, academic and program requirements are met in the 4+3 program. The successful high school applicant will meet admission requirements.

Transfer Applicants
Transfer students who have completed courses at another institution may apply for admission for the Bachelor’s degree leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Transfer students who are admitted to the pre-professional level of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy are guaranteed continuation into the professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy providing all prerequisite courses, academic and program requirements are met in the 4+3 program.  The successful transfer applicant will demonstrate the following academic profile:

Undergraduate Major Options Leading to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy