TJU Partners with Villanova, St. Joe's and Elizabethtown
3+2 ½ Entry-Level Master's of Occupational Therapy and
3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy
Transfer Agreements

Thomas Jefferson University has partnered with Villanova University and St. Joseph's University to offer Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy students an opportunity to earn both a baccalaureate and an advanced degree in an accelerated format. A similar partnership agreement with Elizabethtown College is limited to Physical Therapy students. All three partnerships, effective immediately, continue the tradition of articulated programs first established between JCHP and Penn State Abington in September 2003.

Students can earn both the Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS) degrees in 5 ½ years after graduation from high school. Physical Therapy students can earn Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degrees in six years after graduation from high school.

Students apply for admission to the OT or PT programs using the regular Villanova, St. Joseph's or Elizabethtown undergraduate application. A joint admissions committee will make all admissions decisions collaboratively.

Once admitted, students will spend three years at Villanova, St. Joseph's or Elizabethtown and then proceed to JCHP to complete their respective graduate programs. After successful completion of the first year at JCHP, Villanova will award Occupational Therapy students a BS in Biology or Psychology and Physical Therapy students a BS in Biology. Concurrently. St. Joe's will confer the BS in Biology or Interdisciplinary Health Services to its students. Elizabethtown will award Physical Therapy students a BS in Biology. Jefferson will confer graduate Master's OT or Doctoral PT degrees after 2 ½ and 3 years respectively.

“These partnerships are very exciting for JCHP,” says Dr. James B. Erdmann, JCHP Dean. “Collaborating with Villanova and St. Joseph's offers our students a chance to plan their college education from high school through to entry level in the career they choose. This accelerated pathway also assures students that they will not be faced with unanticipated prerequisites that must be satisfied were they to seek acceptance into the program at a later date. We expect that the students coming to us from these prestigious institutions will reinforce JCHP's strong reputation.”

“From Villanova's perspective, the opportunity to partner with a great institution like Jefferson is something we value highly,” shares John R. Johannes, Villanova's Vice President for Academic Affairs. “It offers opportunities that students wouldn't otherwise have.”

Media Contact:

Jane Clinton
Jefferson College of Health Professions
215-503-9865

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