The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the classroom based and clinical education that prepares graduates for entry into the practice of physical therapy. The goal of this entry-level professional education program is to graduate students who are knowledgeable, service-oriented, and reflective practitioners who are able to render independent judgements in people with movement system dysfunction that limits activity and participation. Find out why you should choose UWM to start your career in physical therapy.
The program begins in early June and includes classroom, laboratory, research and clinical learning experiences. Admission to the DPT program is competitive. The faculty values a well-rounded applicant who has demonstrated both academic and personal/professional potential.
For more information, contact Lori Woodburn, DPT Program Assistant, at pt-program@uwm.edu or 414-251-5797.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
Admission to the program is highly competitive. A snapshot of the typical successful applicant is available on the program website’s Frequently Asked Questions section. The DPT program enrolls students through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Policies and procedures related to consideration of the candidate are published on the PTCAS website and updated annually. Students apply to the UWM Graduate School after being recommended for Admission by the DPT program. Undergraduate degree and prerequisite coursework must be completed by the time the student enrolls in the DPT Program.
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these program requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Completion of 10 prerequisite courses with a minimum prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Course List Code Title Credits General Biology I 4 General Biology II 4 Human Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology I 1 4 Human Physiology or Anatomy & Physiology II 1 4 Chemistry I 1 4 Chemistry II 1 4 Physics I 1 4 Physics II 1 4 Psychology 3 Statistics 3 - 1
Courses requiring a lab component.
- Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination taken within the last five years.
- Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be an academic reference.
- Responses to narrative essay questions.
Selection
Admission to the program is competitive. The program enrolls 26 students annually. Students are selected based on GPA, GRE scores, two letters of recommendation (one academic reference, one personal reference), and narratives. The program will give preference during the selection process to candidates with pre-requisite requirements completed at the time of application to the program.
Credits and Courses
The program is a sequenced, competency-based curriculum of 110 credits including 36 weeks of internship in the final year of the program. Students will enroll as full time students for each term of study (Summer, Fall, Spring) and will enroll during UWinteriM of their first year in the program. There is no part-time option for students, nor can courses be taken out of sequence in the DPT program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| KIN 550 | Psychological Aspects of Human Movement | 3 |
| PT 700 | Introduction to Physical Therapy Practice and Examination Techniques | 3 |
| PT 701 | Clinical Foundations of the Physical Therapy Examination | 5 |
| PT 702 | Scientific Principles of Interventions | 5 |
| PT 704 | Physical Agents | 2 |
| PT 708 | Foundations of Clinical Research | 2-3 |
| PT 709 | Research Practicum 1 | 2 |
| PT 710 | Ethics in Healthcare | 1 |
| PT 711 | Health Promotion/Wellness for Physical Therapy Practice | 2 |
| PT 712 | Case-Based Clinical Decision Making | 2 |
| PT 713 | Healthcare Systems and Administration | 3 |
| PT 714 | Professionalism and Leadership in Healthcare | 1 |
| PT 716 | Clinical Radiology | 1-2 |
| PT 720 | Human Gross Anatomy | 6 |
| PT 721 | Medical Physiology | 3 |
| PT 722 | Medical Physiology II | 3 |
| PT 723 | Physiological Regulation in Exertion & Disease | 3 |
| PT 740 | Kinesiology & Biomechanics of Normal & Abnormal Movement | 4 |
| PT 750 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| PT 751 | Motor Behavior | 3 |
| PT 760 | Foundations of Interprofessional Practice | 1 |
| PT 781 | Introduction to Clinical Education and Professional Development | 1 |
| PT 820 | Cardiopulmonary Evaluation & Treatment | 3 |
| PT 821 | Integument System | 2 |
| PT 840 | Musculoskeletal System: Lower Extremities | 3 |
| PT 841 | Musculoskeletal: Upper Extremities | 3 |
| PT 842 | Musculoskeletal: Spine | 3 |
| PT 850 | Neuromuscular: Adult | 4 |
| PT 852 | Neuromuscular: Pediatric | 4 |
| PT 880 | Clinical Fieldwork I | 1 |
| PT 881 | Fieldwork II: Basic Skills Experience | 2 |
| PT 980 | PT Clinical Internship I | 8 |
| PT 981 | PT Clinical Internship II | 8 |
| PT 982 | PT Clinical Internship III | 8 |
| Comprehensive Practical Examinations | ||
CPE 1, Fall Year 1 | ||
CPE 2, Spring Year 1 | ||
CPE 3, Fall Year 2 | ||
CPE 4, Spring Year 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 110-112 | |
- 1
PT 709 should be taken twice, for a total of 4 credits.
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
The Graduate School requires that each student have a major professor to advise, supervise and approve the program of study. Students are assigned faculty advisors in the DPT program. Faculty advisors are core members of the DPT program faculty who are also licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of Wisconsin.