Entry Level Program Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program Description

The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program is designed to train therapists who can enter the profession as generalists. Program graduates are able to competently evaluate patients/clients, critically analyze new information, solve complex patient problems and have developed the skills to be life-long learners.

The graduate program is nine semesters (34 months) long with clinical experiences dispersed throughout. These experiences include three twelve-week internships during the last three semesters.

A Doctor of Physical Therapy will be awarded after the successful completion of the curriculum.pdf. Grades below "C" earned in any required physical therapy course are unsatisfactory and cannot be used toward a major in physical therapy. Students not meeting this requirement will be asked to withdraw from the program. In addition, all students in UW-L graduate education must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Note: Students in the program should expect to incur additional expenses for books, lab fees, housing and travel during clinical internships and field trips for course work.

 Application and Selection Process

International Applicants must adhere to the following application instructions. All applicants should apply for the program. In addition to the Physical Therapy program application and the university application the following items are required: Test of Spoken English (TSE) - minimum score of 45; TOEFL - minimum score of 600 (250 CBT), review of degree/coursework from outside of the United States by a professional credential evaluation service such as Education Credential Evaluators, Inc. (www.ece.org). International Applicants must use the university application materials issued by the UW-L Office of International Education. These materials may be printed from the website at www.uwlax.edu/oie or both the physical therapy application packet and university paper application packets may be requested from uwlworld@uwlax.edu The physical therapy application packet, the university application materials, and the items listed above should be submitted to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Office of International Education (International Admissions), 116 Graff Main Hall, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 USA.

Due dates for International applicants are:

October 1st for early admission

December 15th for general admission

Admissions Criteria

Overview of the Admissions Process
  • Candidates must submit all of their application materials together at one time in hard copy.  A confirmation will be sent to the candidate within 2 working days of receiving the application.
  • Complete applications are due in the program office by November 1st for early admission and January 15 for general admission (US applicants).
  • Candidates will be selected and notified about their admission status approximately 3-4 weeks after the deadline.
  • Written acceptance and tuition deposit are due according to dated material in acceptance letter.
  • Orientation of the incoming class will be held the first week of summer school.
Prerequisite Requirements

  • Earned undergraduate degree or one of the two following exceptions:

    • degree will be completed by May 30th of  application year

    • applicant is enrolled in the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse:

      • Biology – Physical Therapy Dual Degree Program 

      • Physics – Physical Therapy Dual Degree Program

  • Completion of 10 prerequisite courses:

    • General Biology [4 credits – lab course]

    • Human Anatomy [3-4 credits – lab course]

    • Human Physiology [3-4 credits – lab course]

    • Chemistry I [4 credits – lab course]

    • Chemistry II [4 credits – lab course]

    • Physics I [4 credits – lab course]

    • Physics II [4 credits – lab course]

    • Statistics [3 credits]

    • Psychology [3 credits]

    • Sociology [3 credits]  

  • Complete the GRE [Graduate Record Examination – scores sent to UWL and copy included with application]

  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for undergraduate studies

  • No prerequisite coursework with a grade below C

  • Completed application for admission to UW-L graduate studies www.apply.wisconsin.edu.  Follow the links to the UW-La Crosse graduate application.

  • Two [20 hour] clinical observations with a physical therapist

  • Two letters of reference

Applicants should be aware that admission to the professional program is competitive (45 selected for admission) and not all that apply can be accommodated.

Request for Program Information

If you would like to receive UW-La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy program information or application materials, click here. Please include your name, address.

To receive a University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Graduate Catalog and an Application for Admission to Graduate Studies contact the admissions office below. Be sure to request specific information for the graduate program(s) in which you are interested.

Graduate Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State St.
115 Main Hall
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 785-8939
FAX (608) 785-6695
admissions@uwlax.edu