Physical Therapy

Application process

Application process

Applications open in mid-July, and admissions are conducted on a rolling basis. Beginning September 15, completed applications are reviewed as they are received, and interview invitations and admission offers are extended throughout the cycle until the class is full.

Because seats are filled on an ongoing basis, early application is strongly encouraged. While the final application deadline is November 1, the class may reach capacity before that date.

Notification of acceptance

Applicants will be notified of admission on an ongoing basis beginning in late September.

Admission requirements

This program has a competitive admissions process admitting 49 students annually. Prospective students should review admission requirements prior application. Historical admission data is available. It may also be helpful to evaluate the selection criteria considered by the application review committee when choosing applicants for interview and program admission.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements and do not request special consideration will not be considered for admission.

Please be aware that a felony charge may affect your ability to obtain fieldwork placements and/or sit for the board examination.

Professional licensure disclosure

If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Wisconsin after completion of this program, you should contact that state's appropriate licensing board and refer to the Professional Licensure Disclosure to determine whether this UWL program meets licensure requirements in a specific state.

How to apply

Submit a PTCAS application and reference contacts

The UWL PT program participates in the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants use PTCAS to submit all official college transcripts, program-specific narrative statements, and contact information for two individuals to provide recommendations.

Evaluators will complete the recommendation process electronically via PTCAS. Only references submitted via PTCAS will be accepted.

It is not advisable to have a physical therapist who you shadowed for a short period of time write you a letter of recommendation. Please visit PTCAS References to learn more about completing the process.

PTCAS is scheduled to open on approximately June 14. For an applicant to be considered, all required application materials must be submitted to PTCAS by November 1. However, the UW-La Crosse Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis after August 15, when the admission cycle opens, and continue until the class is full.

Program Application Fee

A non-refundable $50 program application fee is required of all applicants. Please include a completed copy of the PT Program Application Fee Form with your payment. Payment instructions are included on the form.

Interview

Beginning in mid-September, applicants who have submitted a "Verified" PTCAS application, official GRE results, and the $50 program application fee will receive an email with instructions to access interview questions via Canvas.

Applicants will have approximately one week to review and record responses using the video-based platform
Please consider this as a professional interview. Appropriate attire and surroundings are strongly recommended. Eliminating any background distractions (audio and visual) is also recommended.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

Transcript information - Official, certified or attested transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted. Additionally, documents issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Course-by-Course Evaluations – This program requires a WES or ECE evaluation to be submitted as part of the application process.
Proof of English language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must submit evidence of one the following language proficiency requirements for admission (Institution code: 1914):
- TOEFL score (within last 2 years) of at least 100 iBT
- IELTS score of at least 7.5
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) score of at least 68
- Duolingo English Test (DET) score of at least 135
Proof of funding: Submit a bank statement and completed Affidavit of Support form.
- Applicants who require F-2 visas for dependents (spouse and/or children) must submit additional proof of funding and passport copies for each dependent.
Passport information: Submit a photocopy of the photo page of your passport.

Please contact International Admissions at intladmissions@uwlax.edu if you have questions. Each of the items listed in this section "Additional requirements for international applicants" can be sent directly to the UWL Admissions Office.

UWL Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
USA

Dates & deadlines (2025-26)

PTCAS application cycle opens: June 16

Candidates may begin the online application process via PTCAS.

Admissions Committee begins review: August 15

Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting August 15, continuing until the class is full. We recommend applying early.

An application will only be considered when all of the following have been met:

Verified PTCAS application (this includes having all official transcripts submitted to PTCAS)
Official GRE scores
UW-La Crosse Program Fee Form and application fee paid
Asynchronous interview

If an applicant's application is considered before the November 1 deadline, admission may be offered or denied, or deferred for consideration at a later date.

First admissions letters sent: late September

Applicants will be notified of admission into the program on an ongoing basis beginning in late September.

If the applicant accepts admission, they must complete and submit the UW System application and the associated application fee by a date specified in their admission offer.

Firm application deadline: November 1

If the applicant's application, transcripts, or fee arrive after the deadline, PTCAS will automatically consider the application incomplete. The applicant is also responsible for completing and submitting the UWL program fee by this date.

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