Earn a BS in Exercise Science and move straight into our Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Gain hands-on experience, work with UHart’s athletic teams, and train in state-of-the-art labs. An optional accelerated program is available.
Accelerated
Full Time
Rolling AdmissionBachelor of Science
120
Doctorate
105
Your Passion, Put into Purpose.
Love movement and helping others? Our direct-entry BS in Exercise Science/DPT program gives you the science foundation and hands-on experience to succeed.
Why Physical Therapy?
Make a real difference in patients’ lives
Median salary: $98,101 (2022)
Jobs expected to grow 15% by 2032
Work in hospitals, clinics, schools, sports facilities, or patients’ homes
100% of our DPT graduates secure jobs and advance into leadership roles
Our Hursey Center provides over 2,800 square feet of combined classroom/lab space for physical therapy students.
Gain hands-on experience in sports medicine, personal training, and strength and conditioning, with expert faculty guidance every step of the way.
In the accelerated 3+3 option, complete your BS and DPT in six years—taking summer courses after freshman and sophomore years to start your career sooner.
The undergraduate phase of the combined BS/DPT program is a minimum of 120 credits. A sample of courses is listed below, see the course catalog for the full degree requirements.
Exercise Science courses total 45 credits and include:
Introduction to Exercise Science
Public Health
Strength and Conditioning
Exercise Physiology
Injury Care and Prevention
Exercise Prescription for Special Populations
Career Readiness Internships I and II
Science courses total 35-36 credits and include:
Introductory Biology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Medical Microbiology
College Chemistry
Mechanics, Heat and the Body
Electives - 12 credits
General education requirements total 28 credits and can include:
Academic Writing
Precalculus with Trigonometry
Business and Professional Communication
Introduction to Psychology
Ethics in the Professions
Employment rate within 1 year of graduation
Two-year average ultimate pass rate on the national PT licensure exam (2022, 2023)
Student-faculty ratio
Freshman applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in late September. If you are a high school student interested in the physical therapy program, you should complete courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics with an A or B grade point average.
The University of Hartford implemented a test optional policy in 2018 for applicants who believe that their SAT or ACT scores are not representative of their academic achievements and potential. All students are welcome to apply as test optional and should indicate so on their application. Our test optional policy is consistent with the goal of reviewing each application for admission in a holistic manner.
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
800.947.4303
admission@hartford.edu
If you are a full-time undergraduate student applying to the combined BS in Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, you will be considered for financial aid programs that the University administers. In addition to our own funds, the University of Hartford participates in all Federal Title IV Programs and Federal Family Education Loan programs. Residents of Connecticut and those states with reciprocal agreements with the State of Connecticut may also be eligible to receive state scholarships or grants.
The following links provide information on tuition and financial aid related to the undergraduate accelerated 3-year or 4-year program of study in Exercise Science.
To discuss ways to finance your program of study, call the financial aid officer for the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions at 860.768.4296 or email finaid@hartford.edu.
In the accelerated 3+3 option, you can complete the bachelor's degree in three years and the DPT degree in three years, enabling you to start your career sooner. To complete this accelerated option, students take classes in the summers after freshman and sophomore years.
Students who choose the traditional 4+3 model will earn the bachelor's degree in four years and the DPT degree in three years.
The University of Hartford, including the Exercise Science program within the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, is accredited by the Board of Higher Education of the State of Connecticut and by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Hartford is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (APTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085, tel: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Matt Austin at 860.768.5304 or email maaustin@hartford.edu.
We're ready to help!
Linda Yamamoto
Exercise Science Program Director
Department of Health Sciences
860.768.4390
lyamamoto@hartford.edu
The bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science will prepare you for a variety of exciting careers in sports medicine, personal training, and strength and conditioning coaching. You'll also be prepared for graduate study in areas such as physical therapy, athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology, and public health.
Build a career that moves people through one of the top physical therapy programs in Connecticut. Our clinically-focused DPT program is hands-on and affordable, giving you the confidence to thrive in any healthcare setting.
The Health Sciences program prepares you for professional or graduate study in health-related fields such as occupational therapy, speech pathology, or public health. The program is also available as a minor.