Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science

The BSRS Accelerated Program offers a focused education that meets the prerequisites for entering our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Occupational Therapy Doctorate entry-level (OTDe), or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. In the BSRS Accelerated Program, you will get the skills and knowledge that will prepare you for a successful transition from undergraduate to graduate studies at CUW.

Pre-OT Students

The accelerated admission option will allow students to complete the Master of OT degree in 4.5 years or the OTDe in 5 years. The option will be open to students who matriculate as freshmen at the Concordia University Mequon campus who have a high school GPA of 3.2 and an ACT score of 21 or higher. Those who apply and submit the tuition deposit prior to December 1 during their senior year in high school will be reviewed and ranked according to GPA and ACT scores.  

Learn more about our OT program here.

Pre-PT Students

The accelerated admission option will allow students to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in six rather than 7 years. The option will be open to students who matriculate as freshmen at the Concordia University Mequon campus and who take all their science prerequisite coursework on the Mequon campus.

If you decide to pursue admission through the accelerated process, you will receive a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) following completion of your fourth year of academic study at Concordia University (completion of year one in the DPT Program).

Learn more about our DPT program here.

For first-time freshmen and transfer students:

• Submit your online application
• Send Official High School Transcripts (College Transcripts if Applicable).
• Send your official ACT or SAT scores

For those that would like to be considered as test optional in the admissions process, please contact your Admission Counselor. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an ACT/SAT. You will receive an email and a phone call from your dedicated Admission Counselor. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions regarding the application process. We review each application on an individual basis using a holistic approach.

Concordia offers two options for students to obtain their DPT depending on the education level they have before coming into the program.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) approved Concordia University DPT program's application for substantive change and continued accreditation for a Bridge DPT cohort. Effective date of this approval was November 2, 2021.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Applicants with an associate degree can earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in 4.5 years.

• BSRS Bridge (1.5 years to complete major and foundational science prerequisites):
  • 22 credits at CUW;
  • Students may need additional courses to satisfy the CUW liberal arts core and BSRS major if not taken during PTA school or other college experience; these credits can be transferred to CUW
• Bridge DPT = 3 years (105 credits in Bridge DPT program)

BSRS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Courses are offered in a fully on-line format and can be completed in three semesters; the program begins in the summer and ends after spring semester
• The on-line format allows students to work toward their BSRS degree with no additional costs related to travel and lodging for in-person classes
• Small class sizes allow for more student/faculty interaction and personalization
• Prerequisite foundational science courses including Anatomy & Physiology II, General Chemistry I and II, and General Physics I and II are no longer part of the BSRS Bridge curriculum. Students will need to take these courses independently and transfer the credits to CUW. These courses must be taken in a face-to-face format; they cannot be on-line.
• As a CUW undergraduate student, you will be given priority admission status to the Bridge DPT program if you maintain at least the minimal grade point average for admission (and meet admission requirements) and you will not have to take the GRE for admission to the Bridge DPT program
• Any courses transferred in to meet the BSRS major or Concordia University transfer core must be completed prior to matriculation into the DPT Program.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

All students applying for admission to the BSRS Bridge program must:

• Be a licensed physical therapist assistant working at least 80 hours per month as a PTA
• Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in PTA education and C or above in foundational science courses
• 1 letter of recommendation from a current employer
• Resume including proof of current license to practice

Admission requirements

Upon completion of the BSRS Bridge Program, applicants applying to the Bridge DPT program, must have:

• C or above in foundational science courses (biology, chemistry, physics)
• 3.0 GPA in foundational science courses
• 3.0 cumulative in the BSRS program

In the Bridge DPT program, you’ll receive in-depth training for the entry-level practice of physical therapy as a generalist clinician. You’ll explore the scientific underpinnings of this profession and the professional characteristics of a leader in healthcare.

For more information on the PTA with bachelor to DPT click here.

BSRS TO DPT

Go to cuw.edu/apply . Select the ADULT ACCELERATED online application. The “Academic Program'' will be Bridge BSRS - Physical Therapy. Fill out the form and submit your online undergraduate application.

PTA (WITH BACHELORS) TO DPT

Applicants to the Bridge Doctor of Physical Therapy program apply through an online service called Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). To learn more about the PTCAS application process, prerequisites, CUW’s admission requirements, and admission deadlines, please visit  www.ptcas.org.

Please submit your official GRE scores to code 7697; they will automatically be sent to PTCAS. Do not send your GRE scores to the main university or graduate admissions code.

Concordia offers two options for students to obtain their MOT or OTD depending on the education level they have before coming into the program.

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program - Bridge track is designed for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with at least one year of experience.

Program Details

Applicants with an associate degree can earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree in 4 years.

• BSRS Bridge (1 year to complete major):
  • 22 credits at CUW;
  • Students may need additional courses to satisfy the CUW liberal arts core and BSRS major if not taken during OTA school or other college experience; these credits can be transferred to CUW
• Bridge MOT (2.75 years), Bridge OTD = 3 years

BSRS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Courses are offered in a fully on-line format and can be completed in three semesters; the program begins in the summer and ends after spring semester
• The program format of online/weekend allows students to earn a BSRS degree and prepare for the Bridge OT program
• Small class sizes allow for more student/faculty interaction and personalization
• As a CUW undergraduate student, you will be given priority admission status to the Bridge OT program if you maintain at least the minimal grade point average for admission (and meet admission requirements) and you will not have to take the GRE for admission to the Bridge OT program
• Any courses transferred in to meet the BSRS major or Concordia University transfer core must be completed prior to matriculation into the MOT/OTDe Program

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Below are the admission requirements for the BSRS Bridge program:

• Licensed OTA with at least 1 year of work experience as an OTA or currently working at least 80 hours per month
• 4 credits of Anatomy & Physiology (with lab) with a C or better
• Evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better from an OTA educational program
• 1 letter of recommendation from a current employer
• Current resume including proof of current license to practice

Admission Requirements for the MOT/OTDe Program

• Achieve a grade of B or higher in Anatomy & Physiology I and RSC 302 (Advanced Anatomy)
• Achieve a grade of B or higher in RSC 205 (Evidence Based Practice and Basic Statistics)
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better across all BSRS Bridge courses
• Applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student; click this link to read about the essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student
• Complete required essays (found on the link provided by the CUW Admissions Department)
• Provide letters of recommendation (found on the link provided by the Admissions Department)
• No GRE is required

How to apply to the BSRS TO MOT/OTDe 

Go to  cuw.edu/apply. Select the ADULT ACCELERATED online application. The "Academic Program" will be Bridge BSRS - Occupational Therapy. Fill out the form and submit your online undergraduate application.

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program - Bridge track is designed for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience. 

For more information on our OTA with Bachelor’s program click here.

OTDE option for all students

Students in the MOT program will have the opportunity to explore the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree while in the Personal Advocacy & Leadership course. Upon completion of the second semester, students will be given the choice to continue in the MOT program or apply to the OTD program. Entrance requirements for the OTD program include the following: 

Cumulative OT GPA of 3.0 or better

• Semester GPA of 3.0 or better in all completed semesters
• Current enrollment in the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program
• No current or past professional or academic probation (students may still apply if they have received a warning)

Students who apply to the OTD program will be evaluated by OTD faculty to determine eligibility and appropriate fit for the OTD program. If accepted to the OTD program, students will be notified and should anticipate completing additional coursework and a 14-week capstone project after completing the Level II Fieldwork placements.