Daemen University and Defiance College have entered into articulation and memorandum of agreements to establish “3+3” and “4+3” education programs leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at Daemen. Both programs will accept up to five students annually. 

Accepted students in the 3+3 program will complete a three-year program in exercise science with a pre-physical therapy concentration at Defiance, after which they will complete the three-year professional phase of the DPT program at Daemen.

Students entering Defiance for the first phase of the 3+3 DPT program must meet the following minimum requirements: 

• Test optional (aggregate minimum of 88% high school average)
• Three years of high school science, including chemistry
• Three years of high school math, including trigonometry

Students entering Daemen for the second phase of the DPT program must have: 

• An overall cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0
• A minimum grade of C and a GPA of 2.8/4.0 on specified required science courses

Post-baccalaureate accepted students in the 4+3 program who successfully graduate from Defiance and meet Daemen’s DPT criteria will progress into the three-year professional phase of the DPT program at Daemen. 

These students must have: 

• An overall cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0
• A minimum grade of C and a GPA of 2.8/4.0 on specified required science courses, and a minimum grade of C on other specified courses

To qualify for the professional phase of both programs, students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of clinical exposure under direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist by volunteering/shadowing or being employed in a physical therapy setting. 

“This articulation agreement between Daemen University and Defiance College reflects a shared commitment to student success,” said Dr. Greg Ford, founding dean of the Scott Bieler College of Health Professions. “We recognize the strong preparation Defiance students receive in exercise science and foundational prerequisite science coursework. This will undoubtedly position them to ‘hit the ground running’ and thrive in our DPT program, which has been built on nearly 50 years of academic excellence and a legacy of preparing highly skilled leaders of physical therapy.”

“We are excited to partner with Daemen University to create a clear and supportive pathway for our students pursuing careers in physical therapy,” said Dr. Olivia Lozar, associate professor of exercise science. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to student success and ensures that Defiance College graduates are well-prepared to transition into Daemen’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.”