student and faculty in lab discussing skeleton

3+2.5 Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Pathways

Students interested in a career in physical therapy can choose a number of undergraduate majors to prepare for admission to a graduate program.

Many students choose majors in biology or kinesiology and work closely with their academic advisor and the pre-health advisor to select courses that meet pre-admission requirements, identify local clinics to complete observation hours, and prepare for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Learn about Loras full-time health advisor and why advising matters.

For More

American Physical therapy association
explore health care careers

St. Ambrose University’s

3+2.5 ACCELERATED DUAL DEGREE

Loras students have an option for a shortened pathway into the accredited St. Ambrose University Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

This collaboration creates an opportunity for you to complete a bachelor’s degree and a doctor of physical therapy degree in five and a half years instead of the typical seven.

  • Top five Loras applicants guaranteed interviews.
  • Degree earned: BS/BA Loras College
  • Degree earned: DPT St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose DPT

How does it work?

Students who pursue this pathway complete three years of undergraduate study at Loras College and apply to for admission to the St. Ambrose DPT program during the third year.

If accepted into the DPT program, you will transition to the St. Ambrose campus in your fourth year to begin the DPT program. The credits earned during the fourth year transfer back to Loras College to complete your bachelor’s degree. The DPT degree is awarded by St. Ambrose University upon successful completion of the DPT program after an additional year and a half of coursework.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students are not excluded from the DPT pathway; however, you should work closely with your advisor to ensure you meet all requirements for graduation, particularly those related to the number of transfer credits that can be applied to the undergraduate degree and the number of transfer credits that can be applied to the major.

Credits from the St. Ambrose DPT program are accepted via reverse transfer in accordance with the Loras College transfer policies.

Advising Matters

The Loras Pre-Health Advising Office is here to support our students in exploring health careers and preparing our students for a competitive health professional school application. Pre-health tracks are not majors, but a sequence of courses to help prepare students for the application to specific health professional graduate programs after earning a bachelor’s degree at Loras College.

You may choose a major in any field and take the required prerequisite courses for your desired health professional track. Our pre-health advisor and faculty advisors guide students on course sequencing and work with them to develop a plan of study for each student depending on their major and desired health professional pathway.

Additionally, we encourage and guide you to work in the healthcare field, shadow healthcare professionals in a variety of settings, as well as help them find volunteer and leadership experiences during their time with us. This provides an opportunity for our students to confirm their calling, to develop into well-rounded healthcare professionals and leaders in the future, and to develop a competitive health professional school application.

Loras staff and faculty have a decades-long record in preparing students for competitive health professional programs locally and nationally with acceptance rates that well exceed the national average. Our pre-health advisor is a member of the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions) which provides comprehensive guidance and resources to prepare students for health care careers.

Academic Guidance

  • Regular advising sessions with the pre-health advisor and faculty advisors
  • Campus visits from local health science professionals
  • Opportunities to investigate the health profession of choice
  • Resources on career choice, schools, and admissions requirements
  • Opportunity to join the Student Health Science Association
  • Personal statement and interview guidance

Get the right experience

We encourage and guide you to work in the healthcare field, shadow healthcare professionals in a variety of settings, and help you find volunteer and leadership experiences during your time with us.