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The University of Wisconsin
Physical Therapy Consortium
Frequently Asked Questions
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The DPT Degree
Why the DPT and why now?
The body of knowledge associated with Physical
Therapy has significantly expanded and continues to grow as PT becomes
a doctoring profession. The tenants of Vision 2020 require that new
graduates be prepared to utilize knowledge and skills related to differential
diagnosis, pharmacology, medical imaging and apply evidence in their
clinical decision making. More time is needed in clinical internships
to be proficient in this more complex practice culture when the students
graduate. Historically, the credits and time used in MSPT programs have
greatly exceeded most master degree program expectations. The DPT degree
recognizes all the classroom and clinical education preparation needed
to educate an entry level physical therapy professional for them to
meet contemporary practice expectations.
Can a student still get a MSPT degree?
UW-L and UW-M will only offer the DPT degree
for entry level students. The last MSPT class from UW-L will graduate
in December, 2006. Most PT Programs throughout the country have either
converted to the DPT degree or are in the process of doing so. Currently
all Wisconsin PT Programs offer the DPT, except UW-Madison who is seeking
approval to do so at this time.
How long is the UW DPT Program curriculum?
After students obtain an undergraduate degree
(BS) they study 34 months to receive a DPT degree. The final 10 months
of the DPT curriculum are spent in clinical internships.
Won’t prospective students seek other
degrees/ professions when it takes longer to become a PT?
Recent admission trends reveal that students
are selecting physical therapy as a profession and the DPT degree in
increasing numbers. It is predicted that based on consumer choices and
favorable market forces, this trend will likely continue.
How has the curriculum changed in the conversion
from the MSPT to the DPT degree?
Additional didactic coursework has been included
to address differential diagnosis, pharmacology, medical imaging, evidence
based practice and clinical decision making. More time has been dedicated
to clinical education and courses completed on line during internships.
Clinical education courses now represent approximately 50% of the time
students invest in their PT education.
Does the DPT diminish my own BS or MSPT
degree as an experienced clinician?
Absolutely not. The DPT remains an entry level
degree. It does not take into account your years of clinical practice
and the expertise you have continued to develop since graduating. DPT
students are depending on your mentoring regardless of your degree.
How can experienced PT
professionals obtain a transitional DPT Degree?
Some skills and content being taught today were not part of most BS
and MSPT degrees awarded years ago. The transitional DPT degree provides
degree parity with the entry level DPT degree. A variety of programs
exist for an experienced PT professional to obtain a DPT. Programs range
from all on line to all on site or combinations of both. Please refer
to APTA’s website (http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Post_Professional_Degree&CONTENTID=34756&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm
for more information.
Does the the University of Wisconsin Physical
Therapy Consortium offer a transitional DPT degree?
Yes! UW-Milwaukee, under the direction of Kathryn
Zalewski, PT, PhD currently offers a transitional DPT degree. The curriculum
is designed for learning to take place both on line and on site.
For more information, please consult:
www.dpt.uwm.edu
Physical Therapy Program, Pavilion 350
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413
Phone: 414/229-3360
Fax: 414/229-3366
pt-program@uwm.edu
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The University of Wisconsin Physical Therapy Consortium
Who are the parties in this consortium?
UW La Crosse (UW-L) and UW Milwaukee (UW-M)
Why a consortial DPT?
The UW Board of Regents requires that any new
degree (i.e. the DPT) be offered collaboratively. UW-Milwaukee and UW-La
Crosse have created such collaboration (UW DPT Program). This model
allows faculties from both campuses to collaborate on research, curricular
design, instructional methods, sharing faculty expertise and whenever
possible other resources. Clinical education contracts and sites will
be shared. Common admission processes will be utilized.
Is the curriculum the same between UW-L
and UW-M?
Yes, both programs will teach the same courses
at the same time using common objectives. Faculty members on each campus
independently design how they will teach to these common objectives
using the expertise and preferred teaching methods unique to each campus
and instructor.
Who is the degree granting institution?
DPT students will receive a diploma stating that
the UW System Board of Regents upon recommendation of the University
of Wisconsin [La Crosse OR Milwaukee] confers the DPT degree. The campus
where the student studied will be recognized on their diploma.
What about accreditation?
Each program be responsible for satisfying the
Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapist Education’s
(CAPTE) accreditation standards.
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Clinical Education and the DPT
Will clinical instructors be required to
have a DPT to supervise DPT students?
No, your current degree and clinical expertise
are sufficient to supervise an entry level DPT student. Accreditation
standards do however require that PT Programs demonstrate evidence of
the quality of clinical education sites including the credentials of
clinical instructors. Such credentials may include APTA CI Credentialing,
board certification, transitional DPT, other certifications or evidence
of life long learning.
How are internships organized in the DPT
curriculum?
All students complete 5 internships beginning
in the second semester of the curriculum. The first internship is a
two week experience to practice basic skills such as patient interviewing,
muscle testing, documentation, etc. The second experience occurs at
the end of the first year and lasts 4 weeks. Emphasis Is on rural/ primary
care hospitals, home health, SNF, subacute settings. The program concludes
with 3 twelve weeks internships – inpatient rehab or acute care,
outpatient general orthopedics and a niche setting of the student’s
choice (rural medicine, peds, sports, schools, research) which models
the values characterized by autonomous practitioners.
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