The 3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an early decision accelerated program that allows students from SUNY Brockport to complete both their undergraduate degree and their physical therapy doctoral degree in just six years — rather than the traditional seven — through a combined degree program with SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.
Physical Therapy is the wave of the future, with job growth increasingly rapidly. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the DPT degree is considered the gold standard in physical therapy education and will drive the future of the profession. In many states physical therapists practice independently, without physician referral. Our program prepares students for this opportunity. SUNY Upstate graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as physical therapists throughout the United States.
About the Program
The 3+3 DPT program is a combined degree program between SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY Brockport. Students complete their first three years of study at Brockport. The first year at Upstate Medical University then counts as both the fourth year of undergraduate and the first year of graduate study. After completing their first year at SUNY Upstate, students receive a bachelor’s degree from Brockport. Upon successful completion of the two more years of graduate work at Upstate, students are awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Students are able to choose from three approved majors while at SUNY Brockport:
- Biology
- Exercise Science
- Health Science with a concentration in Exercise Science
Entry-level prerequisite college courses that students must complete at Brockport prior to starting at SUNY Upstate include:
| Course | |
| Anatomy and Physiology I and II or one semester each of Anatomy and Physiology | 8* |
| General Biology I, II | 8* |
| General Chemistry I and II | 8* |
| General Physics I and II ** | 8* |
| English (Composition recommended) | 3 |
| Psychology (Child or Developmental recommended) | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 |
*All science courses must include labs.
*May substitute PES 335 for Biology II.
**Pre-calculus is a prerequisite for Physics.
CPR and First Aid certification are required at the time of matriculation.
Admission to the Program
Admission to the 3+3 DPT program is highly competitive. To be considered student must have:
- A 90 percent or higher unweighted high school grade point average.
- Four years of Regents or honors level courses in both math and science.
- Applicants must submit the ACT and/or the SAT:
ACT - Minimum composite score of 26.
SAT’s - For applicants that took the SAT prior to March 2016, we will require a minimum score of 1200 (math/critical reading) to be considered. If the SAT was taken more than once prior to March 2016, we will accept the highest math and the highest critical reading scores, even if from separate exams. For applicants that took the SAT in March 2016 or later, we will require a minimum score of 1270 (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) to be considered. If the SAT was taken more than once starting March 2016, we will accept the best Math and the best Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, even if from separate exams.
We will not take a best score from one section of the “Old SAT” (taken prior to March 2016) and combine that with a best score from another section of the “New SAT” (March 2016 and later) as the scoring scales are different. - Commitment to pursuing a career in physical therapy through volunteer or observational experience or by participation in a Health Explores Post or New Visions Program.
- An overall 3.3 GPA with a 3.0 prerequisite GPA during their first three years of college.
To apply, high school seniors must apply to the Early Admission Program at SUNY Upstate at the same time they apply to SUNY Brockport:
Applications for admission to SUNY Upstate may be downloaded from the Upstate website. The application deadline for the 3+3 DPT application for SUNY Upstate is February 1.
To apply for admission to SUNY Brockport, use the regular SUNY application.
Upon acceptance to both SUNY Upstate and SUNY Brockport, students will be guaranteed acceptance into the 3+3 Doctorate of Physical Therapy program provided they maintain performance criteria. Early Admission 3+3 students are NOT required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
For more information about Brockport’s 3+3 DPT Program:
Dr. Eileen Daniel
Associate Vice Provost
Division of Academic Affairs
SUNY Brockport
350 New Campus Drive
Brockport, NY 14420
(585) 395-5505
edaniel@brockport.edu