Frequently Asked Questions
Why CUW for your Physical Therapy degree?
- Dedicated faculty
- Students learn in an on-campus, pro-bono clinic
- Program focuses on evidence-based approach to practice
- Students participate with faculty in selecting clinical location sites
- Up-to-date facilities with well-organized labs
- Small class size by design (24 students)
- Campus includes expanded-hours computer labs, new fitness center, free, safe and convenient parking
- Program has 10 year CAPTE accreditation
Who is eligible for the program?
The entry-level DPT is designed for students who already have a bachelors degree. Applicants must have a 3.00 GPA in the prerequisite science courses and an overall GPA of 3.00.
What is the basic design of the program?
The entry-level DPT is a three-year (including two summers), full time, on campus sequential program. One class of 24 students begins each fall. The application deadline is December 1st of each year.
What can I expect for clinical experiences?
All students participate in a total of 34 weeks of full-time clinical experience, starting with a 3-week experience after the first semester in the professional program. During the summer after year one, a 5-week course in clinical decision making includes faculty-supervised patient care in a pro-bono clinic and in the community. In the second year, patient care opportunities are integrated throughout the curriculum in the form of patient labs and pro-bono clinic experiences as well as a 3-week and a 10-week full-time clinical. The last semester of the third year consists of 18 weeks of full-time placement in varied clinical settings, usually as two 9-week experiences. The University has over 250 clinical sites in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Students also have the opportunity to apply for a year-long, paid internship as their final experience.
Is admission to the program competitive?
Yes. Applicants are chosen on the basis of individual merit. The Physical Therapy Selection Committee determines acceptance into the program.
Where do graduates work?
Graduates are prepared to provide PT services for people from birth to old age, from athletes to those with chronic disabilities, and in many settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools and home care.
Is there a volunteer/work experience requirement?
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.
For more information, please visit any of the links below.
Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy
Costs
Course Listing
Course Descriptions
Curriculum Schedule
General Information
