King’s College and Misericordia University Announce New Pathway to Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree

Articulation Agreement Creates Streamlined 3½+3 Pathway for King’s Exercise Science Students to Pursue Doctoral Education at Misericordia 

WILKES-BARRE/DALLAS, Pa. — King’s College and Misericordia University have entered into a new articulation agreement that will provide qualified King’s College exercise science students with a streamlined pathway to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Misericordia University. 

Through the new 3½+3 pathway, participating students will complete three and a half years of undergraduate coursework at King’s College. After successfully completing the required undergraduate coursework and meeting program requirements, students will earn their bachelor’s degree from King’s before continuing into Misericordia University’s three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

The agreement is designed to create a clear academic pathway for students interested in pursuing careers in physical therapy while building upon the strengths of both institutions. 

“This partnership reflects King’s commitment to preparing students for lives of purpose and service while creating new opportunities for them to achieve their professional goals,” said Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., president of King’s College. “By combining the strong foundation of a King’s education with Misericordia University’s respected Doctor of Physical Therapy program, we are helping students pursue meaningful careers through which they can improve the health and well-being of others.” 

Under the agreement, Misericordia University will reserve five seats annually in its Doctor of Physical Therapy program for qualified King’s College students. Students must meet Misericordia’s DPT program prerequisites and admissions requirements, including a minimum 3.2 overall GPA and a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite science courses. 

“Partnerships like this reflect our commitment to creating meaningful educational pathways that put students and their future success first,” said Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., president of Misericordia University. “King’s College and Misericordia University share a longstanding commitment to providing students with transformative educational experiences. By working together, we are giving students a clear path from their undergraduate studies to an advanced professional degree and preparing them to serve their communities as highly skilled health care professionals.” 

The partnership also provides King’s students with intentional academic planning throughout their undergraduate education. King’s will maintain a curriculum aligned with the prerequisites for admission to Misericordia’s DPT program and will identify and recommend qualified students for the pathway. 

“This pathway allows our students to move confidently from a strong undergraduate foundation in exercise science into doctoral-level physical therapy education. With dedicated advising, an aligned curriculum, and reserved seats at Misericordia, students will have a clear path toward a career in physical therapy,” said Jan Kretzschmar, Ph.D., program director of Exercise Science and associate professor. 

Students who transition to Misericordia will complete the graduate portion of their education through the university’s accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

“This agreement gives students an opportunity to begin their undergraduate education with a clear understanding of the path ahead of them,” said Kristen Karnish, PT, DEd, MPH, department chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Misericordia University. “By aligning the King’s exercise science curriculum with the prerequisites for our DPT program, we can help students make purposeful academic choices and prepare for the rigor of doctoral-level physical therapy education. We are excited to welcome qualified King’s students to Misericordia and support them as they prepare to enter the physical therapy profession.” 

The articulation agreement strengthens the relationship between the two northeastern Pennsylvania institutions while expanding opportunities for students interested in careers in physical therapy. By coordinating undergraduate preparation with graduate professional education, King’s and Misericordia aim to provide students with a seamless transition between the two programs.