Physical Therapy (DPT)

Application and Admissions to the Doctor of Physical Therapy:

1. Application to the DPT program is through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) (http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx). Applications will open every June. You should be prepared to submit:

a. A copy of official transcripts from all institutions from which you have earned college credit;

b. Required essays;

c. GRE scores. You may submit the scores directly to the University (Code: 1919) or can be submitted directly to PTCAS.

2. Admission to the program is competitive and requires:

a. Demonstration of Academic Readiness:

i. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Note that ALL courses including retakes count towards the calculation of this GPA.

ii. Minimum cumulative prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 or better. Required prerequisite courses are found on the DPT Program website (https://www.uwsp.edu/health/Pages/graduate/dpt/admissions.aspx). You are STRONGLY encouraged to have prerequisite courses reviewed prior to application and to submit the Prerequisite Checklist completed prior to application. This document may be uploaded with the PTCAS application.

• No more than 2 prerequisite courses may be incomplete or in-progress at the time of application.

• All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 7 years of the date of application. Request to consider exceptions to this statute should be sent to the program Admissions Committee by program email with a Completed Prerequisite Checklist.

• The program accepts up to 5 courses to meet the prerequisites earned by AP, IB, and CLEP courses for program prerequisites.

• Anatomy and Physiology program prerequisite requirements MUST be completed in biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology department

iii. Minimum Quantitative and Verbal GRE of 148 or better; minimum written GRE of 3.0

iv. For international applicants a minimum TOEFL score of 63 for the composite of reading comprehension, listening comprehension and writing and a minimum score of 26 for speaking.

b. Demonstration of Attributes and Experiences that are consistent with program expectations:

i. Attributes and experiences are entered by the students in PTCAS and evaluated by the Selection Task Force.

c. Participation in a campus visit/interview will be considered in final admission decisions.

3. Prior to matriculation you must:

a. Complete the undergraduate degree and all outstanding prerequisite coursework with at least a C or better and forward official transcripts to the Program

b. Complete the Technical Standards Form for the DPT Program (link to this on the program website) and submit to the Program

c. Complete the following assurances and forward verification to the Program:

i. Current records of immunization history or titre (MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, adult dTap TB test), additional immunizations may be required for clinical learning experience;

ii. Complete a healthcare provider background check; Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 278 prior to submitting an application for a credential, an individual may apply to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the credential due to his or her conviction record. If you wish to discuss this, you should contact the Program Director;

iii. Purchase personal professional liability coverage; specific coverage requirements are available on the program website;

iv. Provide verification of personal health insurance;

v. Complete any additional health testing or safety training as required for clinical education participation. The most current requests will be posted on the DPT program website.

Additional notes about applying to the DPT program:

1. The program will use a prioritized rolling admission process.

o PTCAS opens applications in June; If you submit a completed and verified application to the program by August 15th you will be considered in the first batch of students considered for admission; you will receive an admission decision before any second group of students is considered.

o If you submit a completed and verified application to the program by January 15th you will be considered in the second applicant cohort. You are encouraged to update your application in PTCAS with Fall grades. You will receive an admission decision before any additional group of students is considered.

o If needed the program will consider you if you submit a completed and verified application by March 1st. Applications not received by this hard deadline for admissions will not be considered.

2. If you are recommended for Admission by the Program you must submit an application for Graduate Study at UWSP. You will have 15 calendar days after receiving a recommendation for admission to accept the program offer and complete the application to Graduate Study. If you do not meet this deadline you may have your secured position offered to an alternate candidate.

3. You will be charged a $500 deposit associated with accepting your secured position in the DPT program. If you matriculate to the DPT program you will have this deposit applied to your first semester tuition in the DPT program. If you do not matriculate, you may request return of the deposit. Directions for requesting return of the deposit are available on the Program web site.

To remain in good standing in the DPT program you must:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better AND an individual course grade of C or better in each DPT required course;

2. Complete all required competencies with a ‘pass’ or better in each academic term;

3. Positive Readiness for Clinical Practice decision from the DPT program core faculty, and in good standing in the program.

Additional notes for graduation and licensure of DPT students

1. Processes for licensure are determined state to state, however all states require passing the FSBPT licensing examination to be licensed as a physical therapist. Graduation from the DPT program does not guarantee you will pass the licensing examination.

2. If you are requesting eligibility for the FSBPT National Physical Therapy Examination you must be in good standing in the program, must have completed DPT 962: Licensing Examination Prep with a ‘Pass’ grade, and be judged as passing in DPT 991 by the Director of Clinical Education at the time of submission of eligibility paperwork.

Requirements for Graduation

To graduate from the DPT program you must:

1. Successfully complete all required coursework and competencies of the DPT program;

2. Receive a recommendation for graduation from the core faculty of the DPT program.