Skip to main content

Accessibility menu

Skip to main content Skip to footer
PT students celebrate at graduation PT students celebrate at graduation
A PT graduate student works on her research project in the lab. A PT graduate student works on her research project in the lab.
PT faculty and staff celebrate a 1-3 finish at the 2023 3 Minute Grad Project competition. PT faculty and staff celebrate a 1-3 finish at the 2023 3 Minute Grad Project competition.
PT students present original research at the UWL Research and Creativity Symposium. PT students present original research at the UWL Research and Creativity Symposium.
Even during COVID, the UWL PT program found ways to help students connect with patients as part of their training. Even during COVID, the UWL PT program found ways to help students connect with patients as part of their training.
Two PT students work together on a research project. Two PT students work together on a research project.
A PT grad student presents at the 3 Minute Grad Project Competition A PT grad student presents at the 3 Minute Grad Project Competition

Program profile

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; Telephone: 703-706-3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 608-785-6623 or email Patrick Grabowski, MPT, PhD at pgrabowski@uwlax.edu.

Complaints regarding the program can be submitted directly to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) using this link: CAPTE Testimony

Complaint Procedures From Clinical Sites, Students or Community Members 
 
Any person (e.g. prospective and currently enrolled students, clinical instructors, employers of graduates and the general public) can file a signed complaint about the Physical Therapy Program with the Program leadership, the Department of Health Professions Chair, or the University administration. The complaint must be in writing and must identify the complainant. The complaint must clearly identify and describe the specific nature of the complaint, provide supporting data, and specify the requested response to the complaint. 
 
In general, a formal complaint should be initiated with the person who is the next level higher than the target of the complaint. For example: a complaint against a faculty member should be addressed to the Program Director (pgrabowski@uwlax.edu 608-785-6623); a complaint against the program director should be addressed to the Department Chairperson (tkernozek@uwlax.edu 608-785-8468); and a complaint against the Department Chairperson should be addressed to the Dean of the College of Science and Health (msandheinrich@uwlax.edu 608-785-8218). Such complaints should be lodged either orally or in writing within 90 days of the last occurrence.
Mission

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

A. Vision Statement
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Physical Therapy Program will be a recognized leader in evidence-based, clinically integrated, physical therapy education through collaboration among uniquely specialized professionals and institutions, serving diverse student and community populations and the physical therapy profession.

B. Mission Statement
The mission of the DPT Program is to produce physical therapists who are autonomous practitioners and leaders in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of movement dysfunction, and who enhance the health and functional abilities of the Wisconsin public.

C. Philosophy
The faculty believes that the professional education of physical therapists is complex and multifaceted. It involves the student, the faculty, the academic institution and the professional community. The faculty further believes that the learning environment must be student-centered in order to maximize the learner performance. Faculty also recognizes students possess a wide array of desires, past experiences, and capability to learn. Therefore, the program promotes teaching styles that encourage students to be active learners and to take responsibility for their own learning.

Professionalism is central to the educational process and will be modeled for and developed in students as an integral part of their academic and clinical learning. Therefore, the program promotes inclusion of professional behaviors into the curriculum as a required component for many academic courses and all clinical courses.

Physical Therapists practicing in healthcare at this time must be able to provide direct-access to their clients and serve as expert practitioners throughout patient management. Therefore, the program uses a hybrid model whereby curricular content is centered on strong foundational sciences, and evidence-based clinical practices which promote the development of clinicians who are capable of managing patient/client care.

D. Program Goals
In order to execute the mission statement that is consistent with the faculty philosophy on physical therapy education, the following goals have been established:

DPT Education will allow:

1. Recruitment and matriculation of the most qualified and diverse students, challenging and supporting them to completion of the Program.
2. Development of generalist practitioners who are prepared to assume the roles of clinician, educator, administrator, and whose practice is shaped by research evidence.
3. Recruitment and retention of diverse faculty who exemplify excellence in teaching and who serve as professional role models.
4. Contribution to evidence-based practice through faculty and student scholarly activity.
5. Facilitation of life-long learning within the physical therapy community.
6. Development of physical therapists who display the core values of professionalism that include accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, and professional and social responsibility.

E. Expected DPT Student Outcomes (Student Learning Outcomes)

DPT graduates will:
1. practice professionalism as observed through their ethical, moral and legal actions.
2. displays cultural competence through words and actions (as defined by the CPI).
3. examine patients of all ages by obtaining a history, performing a systems review, and administering selected tests and measures.
4. evaluate data from the examination in order to render evidence based clinical decisions and determine a diagnosis that guides patient/client management.
5. prepare a patient plan of care that is safe, effective, considers available resources, and client centered.
6. perform physical therapy interventions and monitor patient outcomes.
7. promote prevention, health and wellness at the individual, community, and societal level.
8. display ability to utilize information technology to access scientific literature to support clinical decisions.

Outcomes

University of Wisconsin La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Outcomes

The University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy Program’s outcomes reflect the collective efforts of a diverse academic faculty and committed clinical educators who challenge and support our students through a rigorous 34 month curriculum.  The following tables reflect a sample of objective outcome measures which describe our graduates for the Classes of 2012 - 2023.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Physical Therapy Graduation Rates

(does not include students who elected to withdraw for personal reasons)

Class of Students Enrolled Graduation Rates
Recent Two-Year Average: 100% (Class of 2022 & 2023)
2023 42 100%
2022 44 100%
2021 43 96%
2020 44 98%
2019   91%
2018   98%
2017   93.3%
2016   97.8%
2015   100%
2014   100%
2013   100%
2012   97.8%

First Time NPTE Pass Rate for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Graduates

Year Graduates UWL Pass Rate National Pass Rate
Recent Two-Year Average: 92% (Class of 2022 & 2023)
2023 42 91% 86%
2022 44 93% 85%
2021 43 100% 88%
2020 43 100% 92%
2019   100% 91.4%
2018   98% 92.3%
2017   100%  93.9%
2016   100%  94.3%
2015   100% 91.3%
2014   100% 91%
2013   100% 90%
2012   100% 89%
 

Ultimate 3 year pass rate

 

Ultimate 3 year pass rate *

 

100%

 

* Ultimate pass rate for graduates of US accredited PT Programs https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/NPTEPassRateReports/NPTEPassRatesByState.aspx?exam=PT

 

University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Physical Therapy Program  Employment Rate

(within one year for graduates eligible for and seeking employment)

Class of UWL Employment Rate
Recent Two-Year Average: 100% (Class of 2021 & 2022)
2022 100%
2021 100%
2020 100%
2019 100%
2018 100% 
2017 100%
2016 100%
2015 100%
2014 100%
2013 100%
2012 100%
Financial Fact Sheet

Latest news

APTA CCIP Level 1 course to be held in January 2025

 

New UWL research offers hope for enhanced recovery after total knee replacement

 

UW-La Crosse looks to transform lives of amputees with LEAP Program

 

Innovative program helps amputees thrive through personalized therapy

 

How UWL's new program transforms lives of amputees and PT students

 

UWL PT students enhance skills through healthcare experiences in India

 

Dr. Kernozek named to governor's healthcare task force.

 

Interview with third year student Callie Pohlman, author of the article "Effects of Body Weight Support in Running on Achilles Tendon Loading" published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine.

Want less impact on joints?  UWL PT research shows a simple cue can make a big difference.

 

Alum provides care for theater productions in the United Kingdom.  Read more in the Campus Connection

 

Virtual rehab: UWL Physical Therapy Program embraces shift to telehealth.  Read more in the Campus Connection

 

Leaving a legacy: Family scholarship supports students overcoming adversity.  Thorman Family Pay It Forward Scholarship

 

UWL PT students create programming for people with progressive neurological diseases in unique community program.  To learn more please visit EXPAND Program Video

 

EXPANDing the minds of both students and clients

 

Led by Tom Kernozek, UW-La Crosse's physical therapy program a hotbed for scientific studies.  Read more at the La Crosse Tribune

 

The UW-La Crosse PT Program has been granted the maximum 10 years of accreditation.  Read more in Campus News

 

To learn about current continuing education opportunities offered through the PT program please visit Continuing Education