Physical Therapy

A dual degree program, leading to an undergraduate degree in Physics (biomedical concentration) from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a graduate degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, is available to qualified University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students. This dual degree program will require at least three years of attendance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse followed by 34 months of attendance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy.

Dual Degree Coursework

During the first three years of coursework taken at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, students must complete at least 60 credits in biology, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology, and physics to fulfill requirements of the physics degree (biomedical concentration) except for 3 courses fulfilled by physical therapy coursework. During the four years prior to receiving the undergraduate physics degree, dual degree students must fulfill UWL general education course requirements. Students will also take the required prerequisite courses for the physical therapy program.

During the first four semesters of physical therapy coursework, the following courses passed with a grade of C or better will fulfill requirements toward the Physics undergraduate degree and will be subsequently waived from the physical therapy graduate degree requirements for that student:

• Human Gross Anatomy (H-P 421, 7 credits)
• Biomechanics of Human Movement (PHY 423, 3 credits)
• Instrumentation in Biomechanics (PHY 483, 3 credits)

An additional 11 credits of physical therapy coursework taken during the first year of the physical therapy program may count toward the 11 credits of electives needed for the undergraduate physics degree. Courses may be selected from the following:

• PTS 512 Medical Physiology (4 credits)
• PTS 514 Motor Control, Motor Learning, and Motor Development (2 credits)
• PTS 515 Functional Neuroanatomy (3 credits)
• PTS 516 Physiological Regulation of Exertion and Exercise (2 credits)
• PTS 520 Intro to PT Practice and Evaluation Techniques (3 credits)
• PTS 522 Foundations of the Examination Process (5 credits)
• PTS 523 Physical Agents (3 credits)

Changes in curricula, within both programs, will be accommodated as they occur. Students will be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for both degrees (bachelors and masters) when they are earned.

Students enrolled in the Physical Therapy Graduate Program under this dual-degree agreement must meet the graduate student probation and retention standards outlined in the UW-La Crosse Graduate Catalog.

Advising of Dual Degree Candidates

The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy will work with Physics advisors to recommend appropriate courses for students interested in this dual-degree option.  Summer school attendance during the undergraduate phase of study is recommended to complete the requirements for this option in a timely fashion.

Admission to the Physical Therapy Program

Dual Degree students are not guaranteed admission to the Physical Therapy Program.  When applying to the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Physics Program, the student is expected to submit applications for admission, housing (if necessary), and financial aid on standard forms. These forms must be submitted in accord with the deadlines published in the current Graduate School and Physical Therapy program documents.

Students will be selected for entrance into the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy based on the calculation of a cumulative grade point average, performance in prerequisite courses, GRE results, and a completed application to the Program in Physical Therapy with positive clinical recommendations and personal references.  A minimum 3.0 grade point average is necessary for admission into the graduate school and the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy.