What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is a science and an art.  The profession is defined as having a unique body of knowledge based in the movement sciences.  The role of the Physical Therapist in any health care setting is to determine why an individual may have difficulty with movement, to determine whether those difficulties can be remediated by Physical Therapy, and to develop and implement a program, which would address those concerns. Physical Therapists practice in a number of different environments and with a variety of individuals, from the old to the young and from the well injured to those with permanent disabilities.

Concordia University's Physical Therapy Program

The Professional DPT Program is designed for students who already have a bachelor's degree.

The DPT degree at Concordia is designed to produce a therapist who is an autonomous provider of Physical Therapy services. Our program emphasizes evidence-based practice and focuses on developing clinicians who will serve the community through excellence in clinical practice and understanding of the spiritual, economic, and psychosocial needs of the clients they serve.

The professional Physical Therapy Program at Concordia leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This entry-level professional degree program is three full years (including two summers) in duration and is a tracked program. Once a student enters the professional degree program, the course work is sequenced. The student will need to successfully complete one semester of education before starting on the following semester's course work. The program is full-time. Students cannot enter the program on a part-time basis. The program encompasses six semesters, three winterims, and two summer sessions. An optional internship after graduation is available. Concordia's Physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. Graduation from an accredited program is required in order to sit for the licensing exam.

Why CUW for your Physical Therapy degree?

1. Dedicated Faculty
2. Students learn in an on-campus, pro-bono clinic
3. Program focuses on evidence-based approach to practice
4. Students participate with faculty in selecting clinical location sites
5. Up-to-date facilities with well-organized labs
6. Small class size by design (24 students)
7. Campus includes expanded-hours computer labs, new fitness center, free, safe and convenient parking
8. Program has 10 year CAPTE accreditation

Required Pre-PT Course Work   

  1.  All students must have the following science course work or its equivalent from another school before entering the program (CUW courses that satisfy each requirement are listed in parentheses). Single semester survey courses in chemistry or physics will not meet the requirements for admission. The physics sequence does not need to be calculus-based. Students from other Universities can meet the Advanced Human Physiology requirement with either 4 credits of Animal/Human Physiology at the 300- or higher level OR 8 credits of Anatomy/Physiology at the 200- or higher level.  Students taking the Advanced Placement test with a score of 4 or 5 and students who pass the CLEP test in a required science area will have met the admissions requirement.  However, the score will not be figured into the GPA.

1. Chemistry I (4 credits – lab course; CHEM 210)
2. Chemistry II (4 credits – lab course; CHEM 213)
3. Physics I (4 credits – lab course; PHYSICS 151)
4. Physics II (4 credits – lab course; PHYSICS 152)
5. Biology (8 credits – BIO 280/281, Functional Anatomy and Physiology I & II with Lab are preferred for pre-PT students at CUW)
6. Advanced Human Physiology (4 credits; BIO 470, Human Physiology)

Note:  Coursework used to fulfill either the Biology or Advanced Human Physiology requirement cannot be used to also meet the requirement for the other science.

2.  Pre-Physical Therapy Required General Course Work   

     Psychology (two semesters; 6 credits)    

     Statistics I (3 credits; MATH205) 

Strongly recommended courses for success in the Physical Therapy Program:

     Biochemistry

     Kinesiology/Biomechanics

     Genetics

     Trigonometry

     Advanced Writing Coursework

     Computer Skills Class

  3.  Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all required science course work and minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all course work taken at a college level to be considered for admission.

  4.  Student must have a BS or BA degree before beginning the DPT program, but may apply for admission before their degree is completed.

  5.  Students must choose an undergraduate major in an area of interest. No specific major is required or preferred provided that all Pre-Physical Therapy requirements are met (prior to entering the curriculum). Copies of various majors that coordinate well with the Pre-Physical Therapy requirements can be obtained in the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

  6.  The final decision on acceptable pre-requisite credits is made by the CUW Selection Committee.

  7.  Undergraduate students must choose a faculty member in their chosen BS or BA major as an advisor.  To assist students with planning, Physical Therapy faculty will be available to advise pre-PT students.

Application Materials

1. Concordia University Wisconsin Physical Therapy Application 
2. Physical Therapy Program Application Addendum
3. Work/Volunteering Forms:  At least two forms must be submitted.  Students applying to the professional Physical Therapy program must have either paid or volunteer experience with individuals who are physically or cognitively disabled. Forty hours (40) of observation and/or interaction in at least two (2) different patient/ client settings are required.  The experiences can occur within the same institution, but should provide exposure to diverse patient/ client populations.  Examples of settings include: Outpatient Orthopedics; Pediatrics; Skilled Nursing Facility; Inpatient Rehabilitation; Acute Care; Schools; Home Health; Special Olympics; Camps. A work/volunteer experience form must be filled out by the person observing/supervising each of the work or volunteer experiences and must be submitted to the Graduate Admission Office at Concordia.
4. Two Reference Forms:  Completed by professors and/or employers
5. Application Essay:  A one page essay as to why you would like to become a Physical Therapist must be submitted.
6. Resume:  A resume of your education, work, and related experiences.
7. Transcripts:  An official copy of ALL college or university transcripts must be submitted.
8. Non-refundable Application Fee:  A $35.00 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with the application.  

Admissions Policy for the Physical Therapy Program

1.   Applicants to Concordia are chosen for admission on the basis of individual merit. The Physical Therapy program does not discriminate in student admission policies, administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, or extra curricular activities on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disabling conditions, or marital status.

2.   CUW will admit one class of 24 students in the fall of each academic year. Students who are not accepted into the program, and who wish to apply for the following year will need to repeat the admission process. No admission slot will be held for students in the event they are accepted and for any reason cannot attend in the fall of the year they are accepted.

3.   The priority application deadline is December 1st of every year. Applications may be reviewed after that date and applicants may be considered as alternates if space becomes available. Priority applicants will be notified of acceptance by February 15th of each year. Students are responsible for assuring the completeness of their applications and may call the Graduate Admission office for information.

4.   GRE scores are not required for application to the program.

5.   Students from a Concordia University System school receive preference in the admission process using the following priorities: a) Students who do their undergraduate work at Concordia University Wisconsin. b) Students who do their undergraduate work at other Concordia University System schools. c) Students who have attended a Concordia University System school for at least 3 credits. The Physical Therapy Selection Committee will determine acceptance into the program.  The Selection Committee chooses applicants it considers most qualified for the study and practice of the profession from the pool of qualified applicants and has the final decision-making authority over who will be accepted into the professional Physical Therapy program.

6.   Students applying to the professional Physical Therapy program must have either paid or volunteer experience with individuals who are physically or cognitively disabled. Forty hours (40) of observation and/or interaction in at least two (2) different patient/ client settings are required.  The experiences can occur within the same institution, but should provide exposure to diverse patient/ client populations.  Examples of settings include: Outpatient Orthopedics; Pediatrics; Skilled Nursing Facility; Inpatient Rehabilitation; Acute Care; Schools; Home Health; Special Olympics; Camps. A work/volunteer experience form must be filled out by the person observing/supervising each of the work or volunteer experiences and must be submitted to the Graduate Admission Office at Concordia.

7.   If a slot becomes available during the first or second year, students from other Physical Therapy schools with all the Physical Therapy prerequisites and similar Physical Therapy course work may apply for that slot.

8.   Students who withdraw from the Physical Therapy program after the first day of class may reapply for admission the following year and may be considered for readmission as placements become available.  The tuition deposit will not be refunded.

9.   No slots will be held for students in the event they are accepted and for any reason cannot attend in the Fall of the year they are accepted.  In this case, the applicant would need to re-apply to the program.  The $1000 deposit may be applied to future applications.

10.  Students from abroad must have their transcripts reviewed and evaluated by a recognized credentialing service in the United States. Contact the Graduate Admission Office for recommended agencies. Students must meet the graduate school requirements for international students.

Costs

1.   A $1000 deposit is required by March 1st from the students accepting admission to the program.  Deposits to secure slots in the Physical Therapy program are non-refundable if the student withdraws. This deposit is applied to the first semester tuition.  

2.   A three year flat rate tuition is set in advance for each academic year. 

3.   During the clinical education portion of the curriculum, students may be required to leave the Milwaukee area. It is difficult to estimate these expenses, as it cannot be predetermined where the students will complete their clinical internships. Additionally, during the academic work, students will need to have transportation available to leave campus for clinical experiences. Some of the off campus educational experiences will require a fee.

4.   Concordia University Wisconsin student malpractice insurance is included in the tuition.

5.   CUW offers a program for those students who need health insurance coverage.  For information, please contact Concordia University Health Services at 262.243.4332.  Some clinical placements require verification of medical insurance prior to placement. (APTA offers a student injury and sickness insurance plan. visit their web site at: www.apta.org.)

6.   APTA student membership is highly recommended for all students. Current student membership rates are available on the APTA web site at  www.apta.org.

Financing the Educational Program

Pre-Physical Therapy Students are eligible for the same grants and scholarships as are available to other students on campus. Please contact the Financial Aid Office 262.243.4569 to inquire about these resources.  As graduate students, almost all students qualify for financial aid in the form of federal subsidized loans. CUW is a Federal Direct lending school participating in the Wm D. Stafford Loan Federal Program offering both Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. Alternative loan programs such as Wells Fargo MedCAP-XTRA are also available to students. Students are eligible to apply for loans and scholarships from the APTA, WPTA, and some local and national Physical Therapy agencies. The Physical Therapy Faculty and Financial Aid Office can help provide information on these programs.

IMPORTANT DATES Priority Deadlines for Fall 2009 Admission   December 1st - Complete application due January 9th - All Fall 2008 transcripts due January 17th (Saturday) - Mandatory Campus Visit Day February 13th - Notification of Acceptance March 1st - $1000 nonrefundable deposit due   Applications will be accepted after these dates if slots are available.

WHERE TO GO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Listing

Course Descriptions

Curriculum  Schedule

General Questions about CUW's PT Program

       Freshmen and Undergraduate transfer students 

       CUW Undergraduate Admissions Office

       262.243.4315, (Toll Free 1.888.628.9472)

Appointments for Advising

• CUW Graduate Admission Office
• 262.243.4248 (Toll Free 1.800.330.9866)  

General Questions About Physical Therapy

• American Physical Therapy Association:  1.800.999.APTA, www.apta.org