Student resources
A page within PT demo page
Physical Therapy program resources
The PT curriculum requires 34 months of study. Students spend two years taking courses at the Health Science Center in La Crosse before completing ten months of clinical internships. A Doctor of Physical Therapy will be awarded after the successful completion of the curriculum.
Grades below "C" earned in any required physical therapy course are unsatisfactory and cannot be used toward a degree in physical therapy. Students not meeting this requirement will be asked to withdraw from the program. In addition, all students in UWL graduate education must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Course timing is summarized in the PT Curriculum Grid. You can review the PT Course Descriptions as well.
Please contact Pete Amann ( pamann@uwlax.edu ) for assistance with program admission.
In an effort to assist more prospective applicants the Health Professions Department will hold monthly information sessions during the program's application window. These sessions will be geared toward individuals interested in applying to the UWL Physical Therapy program. Each session will begin with admissions specialist Pete Amann providing an overview of the admission process and application requirements. The majority of the session will be reserved for responding to questions from prospective students. We strongly encourage all individuals interested in meeting with a representative from the program to attend one of these sessions.
2022 session dates have concluded. The program resume offering sessions in Spring 2023.
To register for one of the above sessions, please submit an online registration survey.
All Doctoral Students in Physical Therapy have the unique opportunity in their second year of study to complete a research practicum (PTS 742). This pairs them with a faculty mentor for research. Students choose a faculty mentor and work on a project during this two semester course. All students present a poster at the campus research day. Some of these projects go on to publication or presentation at the state or national level. Examples of some of these published works are available through the La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS) website or recent publications.
Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association Fall Meeting 2019
Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association Fall Meeting 2019
UWL Celebration of Research 2019
Does a Community Based Physical Activity Program Improve Balance for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease?
Molly Carlson, Rachel Davis, Joseph McInerney, Michelle Olson, DPT, K. Greany, PhD, RD; J. Greany, PhD, PT
Low-Dosage Inspiratory Muscle Training for Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders Participating in a Community Physical Activity Program
Alyssa Patten, Brandon Wiley, K. Greany, PhD, RD; J. Greany, PhD, PT
Patellofemoral Joint Loading during Forward and Backward Lunges
Danielle Goulette, Patrick Griffith, Michael Schiller, Christopher Durall, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, LAT, CSCS, Thomas Kernozek, PhD, FACSM, Drew Rutherford, MS
Post-Trial Feedback Alters Single and Dual Task Landing Performance in Healthy and ACL Reconstructed Athletes
Brett McCutchin, Maria Lee, Jacqueline Cleereman, Jessica Onsager, Jeremie Schiedermayer, Becky Heinert, DPT, Drew Rutherford, MS, Thomas Kernozek, PhD, FACSM
Post-Trial Feedback May Alter Single and Dual Task Landing Performance in Female Collegiate Athletes
Maria Lee, Jessica Onsager, Jeremie Schiedermayer, Becky Heinert, DPT, Drew Rutherford, MS, Thomas Kernozek, PhD, FACSM
Drop Landing Performance in Female Collegiate Athletes: Effect of a Four-Week Training Intervention
Jacqueline Cleereman, Maria Lee, Brett McCutchin, Becky Heinert, DPT, Drew Rutherford, MS, Thomas Kernozek, PhD, FACSM
Reliability of Novice Clinicians Measuring Brachial and Carotid Artery Diameter Using Ultrasound Imaging in Healthy Subjects
Anna Flottmeyer, Janna Fjelstad, Garrison Jones, Alyssa Patten, K. Greany, PhD, RD; J. Greany, PhD, PT
Effect of Exercise Dosage on Motor Skill Retention
Marlee Freitag, Xaarki Gamerdinger, Austin Palazzolo, Pierce Russell, Bethany Smith, Allison von Brevern, Sam Mason, Kevin Bohn, Patrick Grabowski, PT, PhD, OCS, CSCS
Does Early Low-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Hasten Recovery in Adolescents with Sport-Related Concussion?
Ryan Henke, Stephanie Dreifuerst, Augustus Greife, Savana Kettner, Christopher Durall, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, LAT, CSCS
Relationship between Muscle Inspiratory Pressure and Functional Performance in Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorder
Alyssa Patten, Brandon Wiley, K. Greany, PhD, RD; J. Greany, PhD, PT
Does Blood Flow Restriction Increase the Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation?
Abigial Kuzas, Niklaas Mattson, Austin Sawyer, Christopher Durall, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, LAT, CSCS
Effect of Increasing Running Cadence on Force in an Outdoor Environment
Jacob Anason, Taylor Musgjerd, Drew Rutherford, MS
The Effects of Visual vs. Auditory Biofeedback on Weight-Bearing Symmetry during a Squat
Heidi Bohrer, Taylor Terbilcox, Breanne Thompson, Drew Rutherford, MS
Achilles Tendon Stress During Added Weight Running
Katelyn De Starkey, Ryan Thyssen, Ashley Zander, Thomas Kernozek, PhD, FACSM
(Not pictured)
Clinical Implications of Variations of the Human Lumbar Plexus
Alyssa, Docter, Alina Gur, Tyler Jenson, Mitch Kotney, Trent Napp, Ashley Sachse, Thomas Greiner, PhD
Dynamic Postural Stability in Healthy College-Aged Population with and without Ankle Bracing during Multi-directional Jumping Tasks
Kari Willett, Clint Tudahl, Luke Sievers, Drew Rutherford, MS
Clinical Education
The UW-La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy program has contracts with 500 Physical Therapy clinical sites across the country. Clinical partnerships exist with hospitals, private practice clinics, schools, outpatient clinics, VA facilities, Military hospitals and clinics, college and professional athletic organizations, and rehabilitation facilities. Students complete a total of five formal clinical experiences throughout the curriculum, along with patient experiences integrated in the curriculum.
- The first clinical experience is during the first J-Term and is a two-week collaborative experience in which students practice the skills learned in their first two semesters of didactic work.
- The second clinical experience is a four-week rotation that occurs at the end of the students’ second summer in the program.
- The PT curriculum culminates in the 3rd year in which students complete three 12 week internships. Each internship encompasses a unique practice setting to provide the students with a breadth of experience preparing them for board exams and physical therapy practice.
New Clinical Education Sites
If you are a clinician or clinic manager interested in partnering with UW-La Crosse Physical Therapy for clinical education, please contact:
Director of Clinical Education - Amy Taebel, PT, DPT, DCE (ataebel@uwlax.edu)
or
Associate Director of Clinical Education - Michelle Olson, PT, DPT (molson@uwlax.edu)
Resources for Clinical Educators
Clinical Education Course Documents:
- Clinical Education Manual for CCCEs and CIs
- Guidelines for CIs
- Professional Behaviors Student Self-Assessment
- PTS 651 Syllabus 2017-2018
- PTS 751 Syllabus - 2017-2018
- PTS 851 Syllabus 2018-2019
- PTS 852 Syllabus 2017-2018
- PTS 853 Syllabus 2017-2018
- Weekly Planning Form A
- Weekly Planning Form B
Helpful Resources:
- Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI)
- Student Services and Medicare Reimbursement
- 2017 PT Clinical Education Student Handbook
Clinical Education Courses
- UWL holds APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) sessions each spring. Please contact Angela Wiste (awiste@uwlax.edu) for further information.
UWL graduate student resources
Graduate students should be aware of resources available as well as the policies and guidelines impacting graduate education. Links to this much of this important information are available below. If you can't find what you need below, please contact us, gradstudies@uwlax.edu.
Graduate students must adhere to university policies as well as program specific requirements. Information on various university graduate student policies and forms is available on the Graduate Studies website via the link provided.
Academic policies (program specific) rt
Please check with the Graduate Program Director for information on academic policies specific to the Physical Therapy program.
The Office of Equity and Affirmative Actions provides resources for policies and procedures in regards to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The Office of Title IX and Compliance is responsible for providing information and resources relating to sexual misconduct policies.
Graduate students at UWL have access to numerous campus resources. Below you will find links to many of the offices providing services for grad students.
Do you have a documented disability? The ACCESS Center can help you get the accommodations you need.
Our Admissions staff can answer your questions as you prepare to apply for graduate school at UWL.
Campus Climate is a leader in efforts to create a positive climate for the UWL campus and beyond.
Counseling & Testing promotes students' emotional, academic, social, and cultural growth.
Financial Aid is committed to answering questions about how you will cover the costs of your graduate education.
Multicultural Student Services uses a holistic development approach to promote academic, leadership, personal, and social development.
The Pride Center advocates for and supports LGBTQ+ students and educates the campus community.
UWL Rec Sports helps you stay active, meet new people and reduce your stress levels.
Student Support Services works to promote student success and foster a supportive institutional climate.
Our Veteran's Services team will assist your transition from military to university life.
Graduate and Extended Learning with support from the Academic Initiatives Differential Allocation Committee, and the Graduate Student Organization work to provide funding opportunities for our graduate students. The grant writing and scholarship competition processes involved also serve as unique professional development opportunities for students.
Visit the program's Financial Aid page for additional scholarship opportunities.
Graduate & Extended Learning is dedicated to helping graduate students from application through commencement. We are here for you throughout your UWL journey. Email your questions to gradstudies@uwlax.edu.