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Through the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, you’ll receive the in-depth training for entry-level practice of physical therapy as a generalist clinician. Over the course of your studies, you’ll explore not only the scientific underpinnings of this profession, but also the professional characteristics of a leader in health care. You’ll learn how to supervise PT staff and personnel, create programs that promote healthy living, and follow the legal and ethical standards of clinical practice.
The physical therapy program at CUW is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program is required for eligibility to sit for the licensing exam, for which Concordia graduates have an overall first time three year pass rate is 100%.
Our comprehensive Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum includes coursework in human anatomy and motion, therapeutic exercise, neuroscience, clinical decision making and problem solving, and musculoskeletal disorders, to name just a few. This learning will take place out in the field and in our state-of-the-art-facilities, which include a human anatomy lab with cadavers.
Our graduate program welcomes students from many different colleges and universities. However, those of you who enroll in CUW as undergraduate freshman and take all of your science courses at the Mequon campus will receive special perks for your commitment. These include being eligible for priority admission to the Doctorate program and the opportunity to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 6 rather than 7 years. Learn more on the admission tab.
Congratulations Class of 2020!
The class of 2020 had a 100% first time pass rate on the licensure exam.
CUW 2020: 100.0% average score = 699.2/800
National overall pass rate 2020: 93.1% average score = 679.8/800
Graduation rate class 2020 = 92.8%
Testimonials from our students:
"As a graduate of CUW’s DPT Program I am humbled by the amount of help and assistance that Concordia has provided for me over the past few years. Concordia truly fosters an exceptional Christian based learning environment that develops great clinicians and extraordinary individuals. I cannot recommend this school enough for the person it has made me and the available opportunity it has provided me with.” Luke Wirkus, DPT, OCS
"I serve as a clinical instructor in a geriatric setting for a variety of DPT students, and am myself a graduate of the Concordia DPT program. While all programs I have come across do prepare their students in head-and hand knowledge, I consistently see high levels of heart-knowledge as well from Concordia’s students. The genuine interest and respect they show for the patients and staff, and their boundless readiness to learn, is so critical to the formation of successful Physical Therapists." Hannah Johnson, DPT
"I chose CUW’s DPT program because it encourages students to develop character traits focused on becoming servant leaders in the physical therapy profession and community. The program’s small class size and dedicated teaching staff has enabled me to develop life long relationships with my classmates and professors. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to a different country with my colleagues to serve others with the physical therapy skills developed throughout the program. Concordia helped me grow into not only a respected health care professional, but a representative of Christ wherever I go.” Katie Dirkse, DPT
Testimonials from our Clinical Placement Sites:
"I have had the great opportunity to work with the CUW PT program for the last several years with benefits that were unexpected. The professional staff of well-prepared professors have developed skills in the students that will bode well for the future of our profession and the reputation of CUW. The clinical interns demonstrate the knowledge that allows them to develop more patient interactions with confidence. The greatest character that I have experienced with staff and clinicians is the blend of the mind, body and spirit. This character is felt and all of the patients have appreciated this as well as being impressed with the skill levels of the interns." Craig Howe, PT
"I have always enjoyed my 3-week pediatric clinical with the CUW students. They are always energetic, intelligent, and well-prepared. The students are highly motivated for learning through integrating their hands-on experiences with what they have learned in class. I am appreciative of their insightful questions and discussions, as well as their flexibility, as work in the schools brings all sorts of unexpected surprises. The CUW DPT students graduate with a good balance of learning through both the academic and clinical settings and become valued members of our profession." Beth Ciche, MPT
What to Expect
Upon graduation our graduates will be able to:
Goal 1: Demonstrate the knowledge and skills for entry-level practice of physical therapy as a generalist clinician
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills for safe clinical practice
- Possess entry-level knowledge and skills for patient/client management (screening, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, interventions (procedural & educational), documentation, outcomes assessment)
- Value and use evidence in practice
Goal 2: Embody the multiple facets of professionalism, within the clinic.
- Follow legal and ethical standards of clinical practice
- Demonstrate professional behavior
- Demonstrate effective written, oral, and non-verbal communication skills
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in clinical practice
Goal 3: Value service to the church, community, and profession.
- Report a belief in service as a professional duty
- Students/graduates will report participation in service activities
Goal 4: Demonstrate knowledge and skills for adapting to changes in health care delivery systems.
- Possess the ability to direct and supervise PT support personnel
- Possess the ability to manage financial resources (reimbursement; equipment/supplies; productivity; time management; environmental resources) within the clinic
- Be prepared to serve as a consultant within the health care system
- Possess the knowledge and skills related to developing prevention / health promotion programs
- Possess the knowledge and skills related to management of care delivery (i.e., providing patient care through direct access; collaboration with other health care practitioners; participation in case management)
- Value the role of the PT in social responsibility & advocacy
