Doctor of Physical Therapy Program 3+3 Articulation Agreements

Based upon a mutual respect for the integrity of parallel academic programs and to better serve students pursuing the physical therapy profession, Clarke University has articulation agreements with

• Culver-Stockton College
• University of Northern Iowa
• University of Wisconsin–Platteville

These agreements allow students to complete three years of undergraduate coursework at their home institution before beginning Clarke’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. After successfully completing the first year of the DPT curriculum, students earn their bachelor’s degree from their home institution. They then continue through the remaining two years of Clarke’s DPT program, earning both a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy in a total of six years through the 3+3 pathway.  

Minimum Requirements for 3+3 Articulation Students  

• 3+3 articulation students must submit their application to Clarke University no later than November 1 of their junior year, before beginning the first year of the DPT program at Clarke. That first year of the DPT program also fulfills the final year of their bachelor’s degree requirements at their home institution.  

• Minimum of 90 credits completed by end of third year prior to starting DPT program classes, with 34 additional credits scheduled to be completed by end of the fourth year.  

• Cumulative GPA of 3.00, with no grades lower than a “C”.  

• Prerequisite Science GPA of 3.00 with no grades lower than a “C” in the following courses: 

• Cell Biology – 4 hours including lab  

• General Chemistry 1 & 2 – 8 hours including lab  

• Elements of Physics 1 & 2 – 8 hours including lab  

• Human Anatomy & Physiology – 8 total hours including lab  

• Psychology (Introductory plus one upper-level course – 6 hours  

• No more than 2 courses repeated for credit  

• Competitive GRE score  

FAQ for Articulation 3+3 Students 

What is the difference between a Clarke 3+3 student and an articulation school 3+3 student?  

The application admission timeline is virtually the same for all 3+3 students, though Articulation school applicants will not qualify for undergraduate institutional aid during their first year on Clarke’s campus. Articulation students still benefit from shortening their graduate studies by a full year.   

During the last year of undergrad and first year of graduate courses, will tuition be at the undergraduate price or the graduate price?  

All 3+3 students will be priced at the undergraduate tuition rate for their first year of DPT courses.  

Do students from articulation schools qualify for Clarke undergraduate aid?  

No, articulation 3+3 students do not qualify for Clarke’s institutional undergraduate aid, however, the condensed degree pathway eliminates a full year of tuition and fees.  

When will I receive my financial aid award letter?  

Once you accept your admission offer and submit your enrollment deposit, your expected credit load will be entered into our system. The Office of Financial Aid will then generate your financial aid award letter. Award letters can only be generated once Clarke receives your FAFSA.  

When do I officially become a graduate student?  

During your first year at Clarke, you are considered an undergraduate student. After your credits are applied toward your bachelor’s degree and your home institution confers your degree, your status changes to graduate student. The remaining two years of the DPT program are billed at the graduate tuition rate.