Doctor of Physical Therapy

DPT Admissions

Applicants to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program apply through an online service called Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). To learn more about the PTCAS application process, prerequisites, CUW’s admission requirements, and admission deadlines, please visit www.ptcas.org.

Please submit your official GRE scores to code 7697 for the Concordia DPT program; they will automatically be sent to PTCAS. Do not send your GRE scores to the main university or graduate admissions code.

To apply for this program you must have the following:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in all required sciences with no final individual science prerequisite course grade less than a C
• Ability to perform Essential Functions of a physical therapist
• Completion of the following pre-req courses: (also see PTCAS for listing)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II: full year sequence of either separate Anatomy and Physiology courses or A&P I and II are accepted. Must include Lab.
  • Chemistry I & II: two-semester sequence of General or Inorganic Chemistry with labs is required.
  • Physics I & II: two-semester sequence of General Physics with labs is required. Courses do not need to be Calculus-based.
  • Psychology: one semester. A course in psychological statistics will not fulfill the psychology requirement but may be used to meet the statistics.
  • Statistics Course: one semester of the following courses meet statistics requirement: Biology: Biostatistics; Business: Statistics, Mathematics: Statistics; Psychology: Statistics; Education: Statistics

Priority DPT Admission

We offer priority admission to CUW students who:

• Are current, full time students at CUW and will graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Mequon or Ann Arbor
• At the time of application are not missing more than one prerequisite science course
• Have an overall science pre-requisite course GPA of 3.30 with no individual science prerequisite course grade less than a C. Demonstrate proficiency in science courses in the first attempt at taking the course.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Submit all applications materials by the PTCAS “Early Decision” deadline, and
• Successfully complete a personal interview

Accelerated DPT Admission

The accelerated admission option will allow students to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in six rather than seven years. The option will be open to students who matriculate as freshmen at the Concordia University Mequon campus and who take all their science prerequisite coursework on the Mequon campus.

If you decide to pursue admission through the accelerated process, you will receive a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) following completion of your fourth year of academic study at Concordia University.

Admission into the DPT Track of the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science

• High School Graduate with a high school overall GPA of 3.45
• Evidence of Service/Extracurricular Activity/Athletics
• Minimum ACT score of 24

Accelerated Admission for CUW students

• Major in Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS)/DPT track at Concordia University
• Have an overall science pre-requisite course GPA of 3.30 with no individual science prerequisite course grade less than a C
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Demonstrate proficiency in science courses in the first attempt at taking the course. Science prerequisite GPA will be calculated using the first earned grade in the course. If a student re-takes a course and he/she desires the second grade counted to their GPA (science or overall), they are no longer eligible for accelerated admission and will need to apply through the regular 4 year DPT degree application process (process open to graduates of non-Concordia Wisconsin degree programs). In addition, students who withdraw from a course late in the semester are not eligible for accelerated admission.
• Have all Science prerequisite courses completed by end of spring semester sophomore year and apply for early decision via Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) during summer between sophomore and junior year.
• Have all their science prerequisite coursework completed at Concordia University Mequon
• Complete an admission interview during early decision day. This will occur during Fall Semester of their Junior Year

St. Norbert College and Viterbo University

Current students and alumni of St. Norbert College (SNC) and Viterbo University (VU) will be given priority admission to the DPT program if they meet the following requirements: 

• Have a verified PTCAS application by the deadline
• Have earned a 3.30 in the science prerequisite courses AND have a 3.0 overall GPA.
  • All science courses will need to be completed at SNC or VU.
• For additional requirements for SNC and VU  graduates, please check with your pre-physical therapy advisor.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Concordia University Wisconsin is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 262-243-4485 or email dale.gerke@cuw.edu.

The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Concordia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission hlcommission.org, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) approved Concordia University DPT program's application for substantive change and continues accreditation for a Bridge DPT cohort. Effective date of this approval was November 2, 2021. The first cohort of students matriculated into the Bridge DPT program on 1/3/22.

States have established standards of practice for physical therapists. While at the present time, we cannot provide a particular state’s specific requirements for licensing, we can assure you that we will provide you with the contact information for the state Board of Physical Therapy for the state in which you are doing study.

Any individual or organization with a concern about an experience with any student, faculty, or staff member of the Department of Physical Therapy at Concordia University may file a written complaint against the Department. Anonymous complaints will not be responded to by the director. Complaints should be addressed to: Director, Physical Therapy Program, Concordia University 12800 N Lake Shore Dr Mequon WI 53097-2402

Join us for an upcoming virtual information session to learn more about our Bridge DPT track on October 18th at 1:00 pm (CST). Click here to register and learn more.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program - Bridge track is designed for licensed Physical therapy Assistants (PTA) with at least one year of experience. Our flexible hybrid learning format allows you to learn online with one on-campus weekend required per month (Fridays 12 pm-9 pm & Saturdays 8 am-5 pm). Small class sizes allow you to connect personally with faculty and your cohort, and diverse Interprofessional learning experiences with other CUW programs and other institutions allow you to network with a wide variety of healthcare professionals. 

Choose between our two bridge programs based on your current level of education:

• For PTA's with an associate degree - PTA to BSRS to DPT
• For PTA's with their bachelor's degree - PTA to DPT Bridge

Licensed PTAs with a bachelor's degree and at least one year of experience can earn a DPT degree in as little as 3-years. (114 credits) The hybrid program format allows students to continue working as a PTA for approximately 10 hours per week during the first two years of the program. 

 View a PTA to DPT Bridge curriculum sample here

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

All students applying for admission to the program must:

• Be a licensed physical therapist assistant working at least 80 hours per month as a PTA
• Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in PTA education and 
• 3.0 GPA in foundational science courses
  • Two semesters of physics with a lab
  • Two semesters of chemistry with a lab
  • Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology, both taught in a department of science, anatomy, biomedical science, or biology
• One semester of statistics
• One semester of psychology
• Submit GRE scores

Applicants who already have their bachelor's can apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Bridge program through an online service called Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). To learn more about the prerequisites, CUW’s admission requirements, and admission deadlines, please visit our profile on PTCAS.

To start your application, please click this link for PTCAS. Official application opens in March of every year. 

Please submit your official GRE scores to code 7697; they will automatically be sent to PTCAS. Do not send your GRE scores to the main university or graduate admissions.

Applicants with an associate degree can earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in 4.5 years. Applicants whose highest degree is an associate degree must apply for the BSRS bridge program.

• PTA + BSRS = 1.5 years (BSRS 60 credits + 60 transfer credits)
• Bridge DPT = 3 years (114 credits in Bridge DPT program)

Learn more about the BSRS curriculum here

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

All students applying for admission to the program must:

• Be a licensed physical therapist assistant working at least 80 hours per month as a PTA
• Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in PTA education and C or above in foundational science courses
• 1 letter of recommendation from a current employer
• Resume including proof of current license to practice

Applicants who are currently in the CUW BSRS program and applying to the Bridge DPT program must also have:

• C or above in foundational science courses; 3.0 GPA in foundational sciences in BSRS program
• 3.0 cumulative in the BSRS program 

Apply Here

• Create an account
• The “Academic Program'' will be Bridge BSRS - Physical Therapy.
• Fill out the form and submit your online undergraduate application.

Learning Outcome Data

*Graduation rate according to the formula in the Annual Accreditation Report
** The two-year average first-time pass rate for our program is 100%
***Licensure examination pass rate consistent with the information published by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
****Employment rate: % of graduates who were employed as PT’s or PTA’s within 6 months of passing the licensure examination

Average Outcomes

1. Our average two-year graduation rate for the classes for 2021 and 2022 is 96%
2. Our average two-year licensure pass rate for the classes of 2021 and 2022 is 100%
3. Our average two-year employment rate for the classes of 2021 and 2022 is 100%

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 healthcare 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 healthcare system
• Possess the knowledge and skills related to developing prevention/health promotion programs
• Possess the knowledge and skills related to the 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

Click here to download the student financial fact sheet.

Please note, students will benefit from a locked tuition rate for all three years of study.