Overview of the SBU-Daemen Dual Admit Program in Physical Therapy

Students accepted into this program are jointly admitted by St. Bonaventure University and Daemen University's Department of Physical Therapy, and have a provisional seat for physical therapy graduate school at Daemen awaiting them after three years at SBU. There is an option to complete four years at SBU.

After three years at SBU, the student moves on to Daemen. The first year’s credit at Daemen transfers back to SBU to complete the B.S. degree.

Upon completion of the program at Daemen, the student receives the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy.

To keep the seat at Daemen, program requirements must be maintained. These requirements include both academic and comportment standards, as well as 60 hours of clinical exposure in physical therapy. 

Students must complete three pre-professional physical therapy courses and one 300 level "Advanced Level Composition for Health Professions" course offered each summer at Daemen prior to the start of the professional phase of the program.

Applicants must submit a single complete application to SBU. The application deadline is Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.  

A separate application for Daemen is NOT required to enter the program. Required application materials that do not fit into online applications should be mailed to the Office of Admissions (see address at bottom of page).

Qualified applicants will be interviewed at SBU by invitation in February. A second interview is conducted by Daemen by invitation in late February to early March.

Decisions on acceptance are made in mid to late March. Up to five students are accepted into the program each year.

Application Requirements

• SAT of 1080 (ERW+M) SAT or 22 or higher ACT composite
• High school average of 88% or higher as calculated by the St. Bonaventure Admissions Office
• Community service is evaluated and taken into consideration
• At least two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a science teacher.
• Two essays:
  • One essay (Personal Statement) that will be included with your Common App.
  • An additional essay titled “Applying to Physical Therapy School,” which details your interest in working in the profession of physical therapy and why you are interested in starting that process at SBU and then continuing at Daemen University Dept. of Physical Therapy.
• A resume that organizes all of your qualifications and extracurricular activities in one place (GPA, SAT/ACT, physical therapy exposure, other clinical exposure, other activities).

Maintenance Standards of Phase I of the Program

• Must be a full-time student
• Must major in biology or health science
• Minimum overall grade point average of 2.8 (A = 4.0)
• Minimum GPA of 2.8 or better in all major science courses
• Minimum grade of C or better in all courses 
• Maintain character/comportment requirements
• Complete 60 hours of clinical physical therapy exposure