Health and Exercise Science + Physical Therapy (4+3)

This accelerated 7-year program — a respected leader in physical therapy education for more than 75 years — combines a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Students in a physical therapy class

Meet the challenges of today's health-care system

You'll benefit from a problem-based, self-directed approach to learning, using case studies to integrate basic science and clinical knowledge and skills in conjunction with psychosocial, ethical and behavioral aspects of patient care.

In small group tutorials, students work closely with individual faculty to explore information and develop clinical insights and professional behaviors. Professional practice is a fundamental component of the curriculum accomplished through integrated clinical experiences and full-time clinical internships. Our graduates practice in a variety of health care settings with individuals of all ages. They're known for their excellent clinical skills, leadership and confidence.

Learn more about the Health and Exercise Science Program.

Students are required to complete 68 credits for the Health and Exercise Science major. Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a Senior Audit form to graduate.

All Students are required to complete a capstone before graduating.  Consult with your advisor on how best to fill this requirement.

You may declare a major in the beginning of the first year fall semester. You must declare a major prior to earning 80 credits.

There are 27 prerequisite courses for Simmons’ DPT program. It is recommended to take PSYC 101, NUTR 112 or STAT 118 during the first year, if possible.

All majors must submit CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of their senior year.

In order to proceed into the DPT portion of the curriculum, you must have a minimum of:

  • Prerequisite course grades must be a B or better, only 1 B- may stand
  • No Academic Integrity Violations
  • 3.5 Cumulative GPA and 3.5 Prerequisite GPA 

First Year

BIOL113 General Biology 4
CHEM111 Principles of General Chemistry 4
CHEM112 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4

BIOL 113, BIOL 115 , CHEM 111, CHEM 113, and CHEM 112 include labs.

BIOL 113 or BIOL 115, and STAT 118 or STAT 227: prereq. for BIOL 246

CHEM 111, CHEM 112: prereq. for BIOL 231

*Students may complete BIOL 113 or BIOL 115 to fulfill the Introductory Biology requirement.

*Students may complete CHEM 111 or CHEM 113 to fulfill General Chemistry requirement.

First or Sophomore Year

STAT118 Introductory Statistics 4
OR
STAT227 Intermediate Statistics: Design & Analysis 4
PSYC101 Introduction to Psychological Science 4
NUTR112 Introduction to Nutrition Science 4
EXSC100 Introduction to Exercise Science 2
EXSC110 Form and Function in Resistance Exercise 2

EXSC 100 and EXSC 110: Required for Class of 2023+. Counts as .5 ExSci elective for Class of 2022.

Sophomore Year

BIOL231 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
BIOL232 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BIOL246 Foundations of Exercise and Health 4
All courses include labs

Junior Year

BIOL332 Exercise Physiology 4
PHYS110 Introductory Physics I 4
PHYS111 Introductory Physics II 4
PSYC232 Health Psychology 4

PT Observation Hours: 30 hours of observation of a licensed physical therapist must be documented by May 1. See the DPT Handbook for details.

BIOL 332, PHYS 110, EXSC 361 include labs

BIOL 332: prereq. for EXSC 361

First Aid Certification offered during EXSC 361 lab at cost.

Senior Year

PHYS110 Introductory Physics I 4
BIOL362 Kinesiology 4
BIOL370 Internship 4

BIOL 362 includes lab 

BIOL 370: 8 credits (4 credits in Fall and 4 credits in Spring)

**Students in the 3+3 Exercise Science/DPT program require 2 semesters of physics prior to entering the grad program:

PHYS 110 Introductory Physics I

PHYS 111 Introductory Physics II

PHYS 110 & PHYS 111 include labs

You can apply to Simmons as an undergraduate transfer student and be considered for admission to the professional phase of the DPT program. You must complete five of the nine required prerequisite science courses at Simmons, and you must have a 3.25 GPA across the 9 science courses in order to be considered for matriculation into the profession program. Additionally, you will need to meet all the requirements for an undergraduate degree from Simmons as well as the requirement for health care experience before matriculation into the professional program.