Admission requirements

The program participates in the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).  The PTCAS application will include the program's narratives and applicants are to submit two recommendations/references via PTCAS.  PTCAS is scheduled to open on approx. June 17.  For an applicant to be considered, all required application materials must be submitted to PTCAS by the program's November 1 deadline.  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.  To learn more about PTCAS please visit - PTCAS

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.

The program no longer provides or requires submission of a Supplemental Application. (Note: a program application fee of $50 is still required. See Program Application Fee.) Once the applicant designates our program to receive their PTCAS application the applicant will be prompted to complete the program-specific narratives. Completed narratives will be included in the final PTCAS application forwarded to the program.

Updated for 2022-23 cycle:   The program requires all applicants complete an online asynchronous interview process via UWL's Canvas system.  Applicants will be presented with a series of interview questions and record their responses using a video-based platform.  Instructions will be shared with applicants via email this year once the program has received the three required items ("Complete" PTCAS application, official GRE results, and $50 application fee) and determined the applicant meets all admission requirements.  Applicants will then have approximately one week to complete the online interview process.  An application will not be considered until the asynchronous interview is complete.  

All students must earn a Bachelor's degree prior to entering the PT Program. Students may complete their degree while applying, but they must complete their degree before matriculating in the program. Accepted students completing a Bachelor's degree will need to submit a final transcript demonstrating the issuance of their degree. The program does not require the Bachelor's degree be completed in any particular major or discipline, nor does the program have any bias toward a particular major or discipline. Students enrolled in either of UWL's Dual Degree Programs are exempt from this requirement.

All ten prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the program.  Students may apply with outstanding courses so long as they demonstrate a plan to complete those courses before matriculating in the program.  For further information on prerequisite course requirements please visit - Prerequisite Coursework

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00, calculated on a 4-point scale by PTCAS, is required of all applicants.  A minimum GPA of 3.00 is also required in the program's ten prereq courses.  Applicants not meeting the stated 3.00 GPA requirement will be ineligible for admission and removed from consideration.  For further information regarding the GPA requirement please visit - Grade Point Average (GPA)

The UWL Admissions Committee has eliminated the 40 hour observation requirement in physical therapy beginning with the 2021-22 Admissions Cycle.

The program does not require observation hours in physical therapy.

Submission of at least two references.  For further information please visit - References

Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA or GRE scores may request special consideration to apply to the Program of Physical Therapy Admission Committee.  This request should be received electronically and should describe the following:

• Your experiences and factors believed to justify the candidate’s admission, despite the lack of meeting the minimum requirements listed above.

• Your current cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA and GRE scores.

• If you are still in college, what is your current college and major.  If you have already graduated from which college did you graduate and what was your major.

The letter requesting special consideration is to be received prior to receiving the completed application.  The committee will consider each request on a case-by-case basis.  Once the committee has considered the request, the members of the committee will vote on whether to allow the applicant to apply to the program.  The applicant will then be notified of the committee's decision.  Please submit your letter for consideration to Paul Reuteman, Chair of the Admission Committee, at preuteman@uwlax.edu.

• Transcript information - As noted above, 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 or 600 pBT
  • IELTS score of at least 7.0
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) score of at least 110
• 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

Applicants who wish to transfer credit from a CAPTE accredited program may make a written request to the Program of Physical Therapy Admission Committee. This request is to be submitted electronically and should describe the extenuating circumstances and a copy of their PT program transcript. The committee will consider each request on a case-by-case basis. Once the committee has considered the request, the members of the committee will vote on whether to allow the applicant to transfer credits and be granted advanced placement into the PT program. The applicant will then be notified of the committee's decision via email and a formal plan will be developed between the Chair of Admissions and the student. Please submit your letter for consideration to pt@uwlax.edu

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.

June 17 - PTCAS Opens

Candidates may begin the online application process via PTCAS.

August 15 - Review of completed applications begins

The Admissions Committee operates under a rolling admissions process.  We will begin reviewing applications on August 15 and continue 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 the applicant's application is considered before the November 1 deadline, admission may be offered or denied, or deferred for consideration at a later date.

If the applicant accepts admission, they are then responsible for completing and submitting the UW System application and the associated application fee by a date specified in their admission offer.

Late September - Notifications of Admission status will begin to be sent

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

November 1 - Firm Application Deadline

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 program's supplemental application and program fee by this date.

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin Physical Therapy Consortium that all students who desire admission to the program must meet the requirements and complete the admission process by the posted deadlines.  Applicants should be aware that admission to the professional program is competitive (45 selected for admission) and not all that apply can be accommodated.

The admission selection process includes the following:

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Prerequisite GPA
• Official GRE Scores
• Review of the PTCAS application as a whole, including the following:
  • Responses to narratives
  • Past life experiences (ex:  employment, research, study abroad, etc.)
  • Feedback from letters of reference