Dec 04, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Pre-Health Emphasis (PT 3 + 3 Program)


Belmont University provides an opportunity for high achieving students majoring in Biology to gain entry into one of the university’s doctoral program in Physical Therapy (DPT) after only 3 years of undergraduate study.

The DPT program can be completed after three additional years for a total of 6 years (3+3) at Belmont University. Students will earn the BS in Biology while completing a prescribed number of courses in the first year of the graduate program. Interested students should declare their intent to pursue the B.S./DPT 3+3 program before the end of the first semester of the Biology BS degree program.  Belmont students who want to enter the 3+ 3 program after the end of their first semester will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine their eligibility for the 3+ 3 program. The 3+3 program is an accelerated option that requires meeting a number of rigorous requirements while completing major and prerequisite coursework, BELL Core, and WELL Core requirements within the first 3 years of undergraduate study to be eligible for consideration for admission to the graduate program.

Course Requirements


Students will complete the following requirements for the pre-health emphasis in Biology:

  • At least 3 hours in group A courses.
  • At least 7 hours in group B courses.
  • At least 7 hours in group C courses.
  • Biology elective hours in any group (A,B or C) to complete 20 hours.
  • No more than12 hours of 2000-level courses.
  • No more than 3 hours total of BIO 4980  

Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program Track


1st & 2nd-Semester DPT Courses - see DPT curriculum *


Students receive their BS degree in Biology after successful completion of the all courses in the first semester and a portion of the courses in the second semester of the DPT curriculum and fulfilling the undergraduate degree requirements.  A total of 18 hours from the first semester and 5 hours minimum from the second semester will count toward the elective requirement for the BS in Biology degree.

Total Degree Hours (B.S.): 128 Hours


* Fourth Year


(if student does not meet doctoral 3+3 program admission requirements)

Complete minor requirements and any additional elective credits needed to graduate with a minimum of 128 hours.