Upstate Medical, SUNY Canton sign agreement for 4+3 doctor of physical therapy degree

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and SUNY Canton in St. Lawrence County have a new affiliation agreement for students who want to earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree. The new 4+3 DPT early-assurance program allows qualified high-school seniors the chance to complete their undergraduate education at SUNY Canton and “guarantees placement in Upstate’s competitive curriculum,” per the Upstate announcement. “The agreement strengthens our commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers in healthcare fields,” Michele Snyder, dean of science, health and criminal justice at SUNY Canton, said in the Upstate announcement. “It builds on the established advantages of our career-focused programs while offering students a defined trajectory to earn their advanced degree.” Under the pact, students accepted into the program will first earn an associate in applied science in the physical therapist assistant (PTA) program, followed by the bachelor of technology in health and fitness promotion program at SUNY Canton. Qualified students will then continue with their graduate studies at Upstate, culminating in earning their DPT. Representatives from both campuses indicated that “high-paying, in-demand” careers await graduates. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists median pay for physical therapists at $101,020 per year, and the job outlook is “growing at a much faster-than-average pace.” To secure an interview for admission into the selective program, students should have a high-school GPA of 90 percent or higher (recommended); four years of science and math; and eight hours of observational experience with a physical therapist. To join the program, high-school seniors must simultaneously apply to both SUNY Canton and Upstate. Upstate’s enrollment for the new the 4+3 DPT early-assurance program will run from Sept. 1 to Feb. 1, 2026. To apply, visit the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy - 4+3 Early Assurance Program website. SUNY Canton’s admission process uses the SUNY application, Upstate said.