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Physical Therapy and Health Science

FACULTY Professor Tippett (chair); Associate Professors Peterson, Strubhar; Assistant Professors S. Bertram, Durr, Kelly, Pratt, Reynolds, Way, Weaver.

Coordinator of Health Science Advising and Academic Experiences: R. Bertram

The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a health science major in addition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. For more information regarding the D.P.T. degree, please refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science is to develop versatile individuals in a student-centered and collaborative environment that prepares our graduates to lead, educate, advocate, and serve in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Health Science Major

The Health Science major provides students with an excellent preparation for post graduate study in a variety of health care fields as well as opportunities for entry-level positions in the health care industry. Bradley Health Science graduates have successfully gone on to complete graduate work in accelerated nursing, athletic training, chiropractic, medicine, occupational therapy, physician assistant, physical therapy, as well as other areas.

The Health Science major is a collaborate program with classes taught by all Departments within the College of Education and Health Sciences, as well as courses taught by faculty members in the Slane College of Fine Arts, the Foster College of Business, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The curriculum is designed to assist students in developing skills in communications and problem solving, acquiring knowledge and experiences as health care consumers, and accepting responsibility for pursuing learning over a lifetime.

Students also select a minor or a concentration prior to the end of their sophomore year. Minors that Health Science majors pursue include, but are not limited to biology, business, chemistry, health, leadership, foreign language, neuroscience, and sociology.

Admission Requirements

In addition to University and College of Education and Health Sciences requirements, the following are recommended for students to receive full consideration for admission to the Health Science major as a freshman:

  1. a minimum of three years of high school mathematics and high school science (biology/physiology, chemistry, and physics are recommended);
  2. SAT minimum score of 1100 composite or ACT minimum score of 22.

Focused Course Work in the Health Science Curriculum

Required course work in the Health Science major as well as courses chosen to satisfy the student’s required minor provides flexibility for the student to satisfy prerequisites for graduate study or to enter the work force following graduation. Students are encouraged to explore the various options for their required minor and discuss their plans with their academic advisor before declaring a minor prior to the end of the sophomore year.

Students with plans to pursue graduate study should be aware of courses offered at Bradley that will satisfy admission requirements for their specific field of study. Required courses for the Health Science major include the following:

  • BIO 111/113 Introduction to Cell Biology - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 112/114 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 230/231 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab) - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 232/233 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab) - 4 hrs.
  • CHM 110/111; CHM 116/117 General Chemistry I, II - 9 hrs.
  • CHM 302 or NUR 391 Medical Terminology -1 hr.
  • ENC 310 Statistical Procedures in Health Science or PSY 205 Quantitative Methods - 3 hrs.*
  • ENC 370 Human Relations Development Techniques - 2 hrs.
  • ENC 375 Human Relations Development Laboratory - 1 hr.
  • ETE 402 Educational Methods, Strategies and Evaluation Techniques - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 303 Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • HS 110 Introduction to Health Science - 1 hr.
  • HS 320 Exercise Physiology - 3 hrs.
  • HS 460 Kinesiology - 3 hrs.
  • HS 480 Motion Analysis - 3 hrs.
  • ML 250 Interpersonal Effectiveness in Organizations - 2 hrs. or ML 350 Managing for Results in Organizations - 2 hrs.
  • MTH 115 or 121 Calculus I - 4 hrs.
  • PHY 107 General Physics I - 4 hrs.
  • PHY 108 General Physics II - 4 hrs.
  • PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.

Plus two of the following:

  • HS/FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
  • NUR 217 Men’s Health Issues - 2 hrs.
  • NUR 219 Women’s Health Issues - 3 hrs.

Total Hours 72–73

At least 124 credit hours are required for the bachelor’s degree, with at least 40 credit hours at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet Bradley University Core Curriculum requirements. Health Science majors are required to take a minor, chosen in consultation with advisors in the Physical Therapy Department and in the minor department.

* Health Science students will take ENC 310 unless they are pursuing a neuroscience minor.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Post-baccalaureate educational programs and future employers seek well rounded students who are involved in activities outside of the classroom. Bradley offers more than 200 student organizations that provide opportunities for Health Science students to become engaged on campus and in the local community. The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science sponsor two organizations that include the Health Science Organization and a service dog training program called “Wags for Mags.” Health Science students have also served as tutors for local grade school and high school students who are patients at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, have assisted in the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run, have volunteered side by side with Department faculty for Special Olympics, and have participated in other community programs as well. Health Science students have also taken advantage of unique opportunities to study in London, Dublin, and other foreign cities associated with Bradley’s Study Abroad Program and in doing so have successfully completed the College of Education and Health Science Global Scholars Program. Students have also accompanied Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Department faculty on mission trips to the Dominican Republic.

The Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Freshmen admitted to the undergraduate program in Health Science have the opportunity for early assurance (formerly known as direct admission) into Bradley’s graduate program if they meet the following main criteria:

  • all math and science courses must be taken at Bradley

students must attain a math, science and overall GPA of 3.4 at the end of freshman year, 3.4 at the end of the sophomore year and 3.5 at the end of the junior year.

In addition to the GPA requirements – student must meet the following criteria to remain eligible for the early assurance (formerly known as direct admission) option:

Criteria ti maintain the Early Assurance Option.

  1. Freshman must claim their early assurance with the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science by the end of the third week in the fall of their freshman year.
  2. After matriculation, all required math/science courses must be taken at Bradley. Advanced placement credit in the required math/science courses posted to their Bradley transcript will be accepted.
  3. Students must attain a math, science and overall GPA of 3.4 at the end of the sophomore year and 3.5 end of the junior year. Students must have a minimum of a B average in Anatomy and Physiology I & II including the lab.
  4. The following courses must be completed by the beginning of the senior year: BIO I & II, CHM I & II, PHY I & II, A&P I & II, Math.
  5. A student must have a minimum of 40 hours of observation in a physical therapy clinic with a minimum of 8 hours in an inpatient, skilled nursing or acute care setting. These will be verified through PTCAS and so must be completed before the beginning of the senior year. Time observing in the Department clinic does not count toward these observation hours.
  6. Early assurance cannot be deferred to the next application cycle.
  7. Students who have early assurance and will be graduating in 3 years must let the department know of their early graduation in the fall of their sophomore year. In addition, students graduating in 3 years must have a math, science and overall GPA 3.5 at the end of their sophomore year (second year) and apply through PTCAS in the fall of their final year (3rd year).
  8. Student MUST complete the application process to the DPT program through PTCAS. This includes submitting GRE scores, completing all the items in the application and submitting all fees before the published deadlines.
  9. Early assurance can be denied for the following reasons: not following the procedures above, not maintaining the required GPA, not completing the application through PTCAS, not meeting the required observation hours, demonstrating egregious behavior while a student at Bradley, demonstrating unprofessional behavior in classes taken at Bradley.

This is the official catalog for the 2017-2018 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.