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Jefferson University Partnership

Discover the benefits of the exciting partnership between University of the Arts and Thomas Jefferson University.

University of the Arts is committed to providing a well-rounded education and preparing students for success in an evolving modern economy. Our partnership with Thomas Jefferson University opens the door for UArts students to extend their arts education into master’s and doctoral programs in medical and scientific fields. 

Thomas Jefferson University is known for many historic scientific and medical breakthroughs and is recognized as a professional university dedicated to collaborative, transdisciplinary and interprofessional learning. 

UArts students who meet several conditions can access Jefferson undergraduate courses at no additional cost. Students that are admitted into the accelerated graduate programs at Jefferson can take introductory graduate courses in those programs at no additional cost.

Exploring the intersections among art, science and the human experience benefits student artists and students of medicine and science, and enriches the communities we all serve.

About the partnership

University of the Arts and Thomas Jefferson University established their initial academic partnerships in 2020, announcing that they would jointly present new course offerings for undergraduate students. Additional partnerships were announced in 2021 that allow students to pursue master and doctoral degrees. 

In order to further creativity-focused curricula, undergraduate students from either university are able to take select courses at the other institution at no additional cost and are additionally eligible to proceed into advanced degree programs. 

Coursework requirements and credit limits apply, depending on the chosen path and specialization. For example, students in the Pathway Program are limited to six graduate credits per semester. School- and program-specific details might apply for individual preferred curricula. Contact either school’s partnership coordinator for more information. 

UArts students will be able to take courses such as Neuroscience Foundations of Occupational Therapy, Principles and Methodologies of Sustainable Design, and many others. Students can also delve into extensive fieldwork while they pursue medical training. 

The partnerships allow for unique curricular experiences for students, and provide a pathway for deep exploration of the intersection of art, medicine and science, and foster collaboration among UArts and Jefferson faculty members.

Read the partnership announcement.

Guaranteed admission opportunities for UArts students

The partnership between UArts and Jefferson opens several guaranteed opportunities to UArts senior- and rising senior-level students. Eligible UArts students are offered 

  • guaranteed admission interview for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy or the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences.
  • guaranteed admission for the MS program in Community and Trauma Counselor with an Art Therapy academic concentration in Jefferson College of Health Professionals.
  • guaranteed admission for the MS program in Nutrition and Dietetic Practice in Jefferson College of Health Professions
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Guaranteed admission interview requirements: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

The guaranteed interview program provides students from UArts with a clear path to earn an admission interview for their preferred Jefferson program. The program is offered at MSOT East Falls and OTD Center City. The following criteria are required to be met to earn a guaranteed admission interview.

  • Full-time status since matriculation at the partner school 
  • Rising senior/senior-year standing and will have earned a bachelor’s degree from the partner school before enrollment in their program at Jefferson 
  • First-time applicant to the program 
  • Meet the program’s minimum admissions criteria for the application year the student is applying
    • Degree requirement: any bachelor’s degree program 
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and a prerequisite coursework GPA of 3.0
    • 30 semester credits from the following specific course areas with a grade of a B− or better

 

COURSE SEMESTER CREDITS 

Anatomy & Physiology I with lab*: 4 credits 

Anatomy & Physiology II with lab*: 4 credits

Biomechanics with lab**: 4 credits

Statistics: 3 credits 

Abnormal Psychology: 3 credits

Developmental or Lifespan Psychology: 3 credits

Sociology or Cultural Anthropology***: 3 credits

English/Writing****: 6 credits

 

*8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology I and II or 4 credits of Human Anatomy and 4 credits of Human Physiology are required. Labs must be included. 

**Algebra- or calculus-based physics courses will be accepted. 

***Any sociology course or cultural anthropology will meet this prerequisite. 

****This covers any English or officially designated writing-intensive course. 

 

Other requirements

  • Shadowing/professional hours requirement: Students must observe licensed occupational therapists or occupational therapist assistants for a total of 8 hours.
  • Résumé/experiences: Submit documentation of all experiences gained through volunteerism, civic engagement, club/intramural participation, employment, advanced academic experiences (including research), etc. Candidates can refer to the Occupational Therapy Department for more details regarding the application requirements.
  • Apply via the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System by Jan. 15.  
Guaranteed admission requirements: Master of Science

The guaranteed admission program provides UArts students with a way to earn a Master of Science degree in Community and Trauma Counseling with an Art Therapy academic concentration at Jefferson. In order to be eligible, UArts students must meet the following criteria. 

  • Rising senior/senior-year student status 
  • Rising senior/senior-year standing and will have earned a bachelor’s degree from the partner school before enrollment in their program at Jefferson  
  • First-time applicant to the program
  • GPA requirement: A minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Prerequisite coursework requirement: 30 semester credits form the following specific course areas with a grade of C or better 
    • Successful completion of nine credits of behavioral science, social science or healthcare-related courses (e.g., psychology, human development and family science, sociology, anthropology, early childhood studies, social work, nursing, public health) 
    • Successful completion of 18 credits of studio art, which should include both 2-D and 3-D work across various media and techniques. At least 12 credit hours must be completed before beginning art therapy coursework. The remaining six hours can be completed after starting art therapy coursework but within the first year. (Courses cannot include art history, introduction to art therapy or studio courses in an Art Therapy program.) 
  • Submit a portfolio including the following requirements. 
    • 20–25 pieces representing a variety of media should be submitted.
    • Pieces should demonstrate personal expression and technical skills in a range of styles and subject matter. Film, video and new media pieces can be no longer than 30 minutes, cued to a five-minute section for review. These can be submitted through a link to an online video.
  • Candidates can refer to the applying website for more details.
  • Candidates can apply via Jefferson’s online application. 
Guaranteed admission requirements: Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Practice

The guaranteed admission program provides UArts students with a way to earn a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetic Practice in Jefferson College of Health Professions. In order to be eligible, UArts students must meet the following criteria. 

  • Rising senior/senior-year student status 
  • Rising senior/senior-year standing and will have earned a bachelor’s degree from the partner school before enrollment in their program at Jefferson  
  • First-time applicant to the program
  • GPA requirement: A minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Prerequisite coursework requirement: 21 semester credits form the following specific course areas with a grade of C or better:

COURSE SEMESTER CREDITS 

Physiology (or Anatomy & Physiology I): 3 credits 

Biochemistry: 3 credits

Organic Chemistry: 3 credits

Microbiology: 3 credits 

Introduction to Nutrition: 3 credits

Psychology or Sociology (Introduction to Psychology recommended; other Psychology or Sociology courses will meet requirement): 3 credits

Introduction to Statistics: 3 credits

 

Other requirements

  • Three letters of recommendation

Candidates can apply via Jefferson’s online application by Oct. 15

Guaranteed admission opportunities for UArts Dance BFA students

The partnership between UArts and Jefferson opens the door for UArts Dance BFA students to pursue advanced degrees in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Eligible UArts Dance BFA students are offered

  • guaranteed admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
  • guaranteed admission to the Master of Science in Athletic Training program.

UArts Dance BFA students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for guaranteed admission to advanced degree programs at the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

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Guaranteed admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program

Jefferson provides UArts Dance BFA students with a clear path to earn admissions into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Up to two applicants each cycle will receive guaranteed admission into the program. The following criteria are required to be admitted.

  • Full-time student status since matriculation at Uarts 
  • Rising senior/senior-year standing and will have earned a bachelor’s degree from UArts prior to enrollment in the program at Jefferson 
  • First-time applicant to the program 
  • Meet the program’s minimum admissions criteria, for the application year the student is applying.
    • Degree requirement: Dance BFA 
    • GPA requirement: A minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and a science GPA of 3.0
    • Prerequisite coursework requirement: 41 semester credits with a grade of a C or better in the following course areas

 

Course semester credits

Anatomy & Physiology I with lab*: 4 credits

Anatomy and Physiology II with lab*: 4 credits

General Biology I with lab: 4 credits

General Biology II with lab: 4 credits

General Chemistry I with lab: 4 credits

General Chemistry II with lab: 4 credits

Physics I with Lab**: 4 credits

Physics II withLab**: 4 credits

Statistics***: 3 credits 

Psychology****: 3 credits

English Composition/Writing: 3 credits

 

*8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology I and II or 4 credits of Human Anatomy and 4 credits of Human Physiology are required. Labs must be included. 

** Algebra or calculus-based courses will be accepted. 

***Any Statistics course will be accepted. 

****Any Psychology course will be accepted.

 

  • Shadowing/Professional Hours Requirement: Observe licensed PTs for a total of 50 hours in at least two different settings 
  • Resume/Experiences: Submit documentation of all experiences gained through volunteerism, civic engagement, club/intramural participation, employment, advanced academic experiences (including research), etc., candidates can refer to the applying website for more details on Jefferson's website.  
  • Successful completion of an admissions interview with the DPT Admissions Committee. 
  • Complete all matriculation requirements which include a criminal background check, child abuse history clearance, drug screening, and demonstrate compliance with the CDC’s guidelines for vaccination for healthcare providers. 
  • Meet the program's cognitive, affective, and psychomotor Performance Requirements. Jefferson will provide reasonable accommodations as long as they do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program offered and/or do not impose an undue hardship.

 

Guaranteed admission to the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program

Jefferson provides UArts Dance BFA students with a clear path to earn admissions into the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program.

All UArts Dance BFA applicants who meet the following requirements will be admitted:

 

  • The following criteria are required to be met to earn guaranteed admission: 
  • Be a full-time student since matriculation at the partner school 
  • Be a rising senior/senior year student who will have earned a bachelor’s degree from the partner school prior to enrollment in the program at Jefferson
  • Be a first time applicant to apply to the Admission Program 
  • Meet the program’s minimum admissions criteria, for the application year the student is applying: 
    • Degree requirement: Dance BFA 
    • GPA requirement: A minimum 3.0 overall GPA 
    • Prerequisite coursework requirement*: 23 semester credits from the following specific course areas with a grade of a B or better. 

 

Course semester credits

Anatomy & Physiology I with lab or Anatomy with lab: 4 credits

Anatomy & Physiology II with lab or Physiology with lab: 4 credits

Biology with lab: 4 credits

Chemistry with lab: 4 credits

Physics with lab or Biomechanics with lab**: 4 credits

Psychology: 3 credits

*Though not required, the following courses are recommended: Pre-Calculus, Nutrition, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Biostatistics and Research Methods. 

  • Shadowing/professional hours requirement: 50 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of a licensed rehabilitation professional (preferably a certified athletic trainer) are required. Applicants have until the beginning of the program to complete all 50 hours; not all need to be completed at time of application submission.
  • Apply via the Athletic Training Centralized Application System by the October 15 deadline.

Pathway Program opportunities for UArts students 

UArts students can apply for early conditional acceptance to three graduate programs at Jefferson University. Through the Pathway Program, students can take foundational graduate coursework in junior or senior year to earn their graduate degrees sooner.

Eligible programs include Jefferson’s Master of Architecture, Master of Science in Interior Architecture or Master of Science in Historic Preservation through the Jefferson College of Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). 

Students must submit a written application during sophomore or junior year (depending on their desired graduate program). To be eligible to participate in the Pathway Program, students must achieve all of the following criteria. 

  • Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing
  • Application by Oct. 1 to start the Pathway Program in the spring semester or March 1 to start the Pathway Program in the fall semester, or by any applicable alternate deadline dates
  • Pass application review by UArts faculty
  • 75 undergraduate credits and a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the time of application 

Students will be admitted to their chosen CABE program upon successful completion of Pathway Program requirements. UArts students will proceed with their graduate studies at Jefferson with the following requirements.

  • Successful completion of undergraduate requirements for a UArts BFA degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Successful completion of necessary introductory, foundational graduate coursework for their chosen CABE program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in each of the three introductory foundational graduate courses 
  • Completion of all other admissions requirements for the chosen CABE program
  • Starting the designated Jefferson program within one year of graduation from UArts; upon full admission, the introductory foundational graduate course credits accrued during undergraduate studies will be applied toward the chosen CABE program
  • 30 discrete graduate credits when matriculated as a graduate student at CABE

Pathway Program opportunities for Jefferson students 

Jefferson students can apply for early conditional acceptance to one graduate program at University of the Arts. Through the Pathway Program, students can take foundational graduate coursework in their junior or senior year to earn their graduate degrees sooner.

UArts offers Jefferson students the opportunity to advance into the Master of Fine Arts in Museum Exhibition Planning and Design program.

Jefferson students must submit a written application no sooner than sophomore year. To be eligible to participate in the Pathway Program, students must achieve all of the following criteria.

  • Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing
  • Apply by Oct. 1 to start the Pathway Program in the spring semester or March 1 to start the Pathway Program in the fall semester or apply by any applicable alternate deadline dates
  • Pass application review by Jefferson faculty
  • 75 undergraduate credits and a minimum GPA of a 3.0 at the time of application 

Jefferson students will proceed with their graduate studies at UArts with the following conditions.

  • Full-time undergraduate students may register for a maximum of one undergraduate course at UArts per semester.
  • Students may take up to 18 credits of coursework at UArts over six semesters.
  • Students are responsible for transportation to and from UArts and should account for differences in academic schedules and calendars. 

Students will be admitted to the Museum Exhibition Planning and Design program upon successful completion of Pathway Program requirements. The following criteria are required to successfully begin the program. 

  • Successful completion of undergraduate requirements for a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 
  • Successful completion of introductory foundational graduate coursework in the Pathway Program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in each of the three introductory foundational graduate courses
  • Completion of all admissions requirements for the Museum Exhibition Planning and Design program
  • Starting the designated graduate program within a maximum of one year after graduation from Jefferson

Separate from the Pathway Program bridge into the Museum Exhibition Planning and Design program, Jefferson students are also able to enroll in the applied music program (private instruction) offered by the UArts School of Music each semester. These courses are for credit, and students will pay a fee to cover private instruction costs.

How to Cross-Register

UArts students who wish to register for a course at Jefferson can view the course offerings via Banner. You do not need to log in; simply click the "Class Schedule" button. If you are a UArts student who wishes to register for a course at Jefferson, please contact Mary Berman at maberman@uarts.edu. UArts students who have completed at least one year as a full-time student at UArts and are not on academic probation are eligible.

Jefferson students who wish to register for a course at UArts can view the course offerings via UArts Self Service. If you are a Jefferson student who wishes to take a class at UArts, please fill out this Visiting Student application. After that form has been processed, you will be asked to submit a Visiting Student Registration form for the course you want to take. Jefferson students who have completed at least one year as a full-time student at Jefferson and are not on academic probation are eligible.

For more information about eligibility for cross-registration, whether you are a UArts student or a Jefferson student, contact Mary Berman at maberman@uarts.edu.

 

Contact information 

UArts students can reach out to UArts Director of Academic Operations Mary Berman with questions regarding the UArts-Jefferson partnerships.

 

Mary Berman
Director of Academic Operations
Assistant Director, The PhD in Creativity
University of the Arts
maberman@uarts.edu

 

Jefferson students can connect with Jefferson’s Cross-Registration Coordinator Michael Brody for more information.

 

Michael J. Brody, PhD
Senior Advisor for Creativity and Art
Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Jefferson – East Falls
Michael.Brody@jefferson.edu