Fast-Track Doctor of Physical Therapy (BS/DPT)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

For those called to a career in physical therapy, the fast-track doctor of physical therapy program (BS/DPT) provides eligible students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor of science (BS) in exercise science and a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) in just six years.

Incoming freshmen may apply for the fast-track program and must meet specific progression standards in order to remain in it. Acceptance to the fast-track as a freshman guarantees admission into Samford’s DPT program as long as progression standards are met. The first three years of the program are dedicated to completion of all required undergraduate courses. In the fall of the fourth year, students begin the DPT program. A bachelor’s in exercise science is awarded at the end of spring in the fourth year, and a doctor of physical therapy at the end of the sixth year.

Admission into the fast-track program is highly competitive. Based on the application, a limited number of candidates will be interviewed for admission. If selected, students are assigned a faculty mentor in the Kinesiology and Physical Therapy Departments.

Undergraduate Courses (BS in Exercise Science): 96 Credits

Year 1, Fall: 16 Credits

Year 1, Spring: 18 Credits

UCS 102 - University Core: Seminar (4)
UCT 102 - University Core Texts II (4)
PSYC 101 - General Psychology (4)
UCHW 120 - Concepts of Health and Wellness (2)
Any Gen Ed Humanities Course (4)

Year 2, Fall: 16 Credits

Year 2, Spring: 14 Credits

Year 3, Fall: 18 Credits

Year 3, Spring: 14 Credits

Graduate Courses (Doctor of Physical Therapy): 122 Credits

Year 4, Fall: 18 Credits

PHTH 610 - Human Anatomy (5)
PHTH 620 - Physiology (3)
PHTH 671 - GOSPEL 1 - GO: Service, Practice, & Experiential Learning 1 (3)
PHTH 731 - Examination and Evaluation 1 (3)
PHTH 732 - Examination and Evaluation 2 (4)

Year 4, Spring: 17 Credits

PHTH 611 - Neuroscience (4)
PHTH 631 - Exercise Physiology (3)
PHTH 632 - Biomechanics (3)
PHTH 672 - GOSPEL 2 - GO: Service, Practice, & Experiential Learning 2 (3)
PHTH 733 - PT Interventions (4)

NOTE: After completion of Year 4, Spring, the BS in Exercise Science can be awarded.

Year 4, Summer: 15 Credits

PHTH 621 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4)
PHTH 673 - GOSPEL 3 - GO: Service, Practice, & Experiential Learning 3 (4)
PHTH 691 - Scholarly Inquiry 1 (3)
PHTH 710 - Clinical Decision-Making (1)
PHTH 760 - Lifespan (3)

Year 5, Fall: 16 Credits

PHTH 674 - GOSPEL 4 - GO: Service, Practice, and Experiential Learning 4 (2)
PHTH 692 - Scholarly Inquiry 2 (1)
PHTH 741 - Acute Care (2)
PHTH 761 - Pediatrics (2)
PHTH 764 - Neurorehabilitation 1 (4)
PHTH 771 - Spine (5)

Year 5, Spring: 17 Credits

PHTH 675 - GOSPEL 5 - GO: Service, Practice, and Experiential Learning 5 (2)
PHTH 693 - Scholarly Inquiry 3 (1)
PHTH 703 - PT Practice: Leadership, Administration, and Finance (3)
PHTH 742 - Cardiovascular and Pulmonary (3)
PHTH 765 - Neurorehabilitation 2 (4)
PHTH 772 - Lower Extremity (4)

Year 5, Summer: 12 Credits

PHTH 676 - GOSPEL 6 - GO: Service, Practice, and Experiential Learning 6 (1)
PHTH 694 - Scholarly Inquiry 4 (1)
PHTH 711 - Differential Diagnosis and Clinical Reasoning (2)
PHTH 773 - Upper Extremity (4)
PHTH 785 - Professional Internship 1A (3)
PHTH 800-level - Special Topic (1)

Year 6, Fall: 17 Credits

PHTH 786 - Professional Internship 1B (7)
PHTH 787 - Professional Internship 2 (10)

Year 6, Spring: 10 Credits

PHTH 788 - Professional Internship 3 (10)

Total Required Credits: 218

See the 2025-2026 Samford University Graduate Catalog for descriptions of PHTH courses.