Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 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 608-785-6623 or email Patrick Grabowski, MPT, PhD at pgrabowski@uwlax.edu.

Complaints regarding the program can be submitted directly to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) using this link: CAPTE Testimony

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

A. Vision Statement
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Physical Therapy Program will be a recognized leader in evidence-based, clinically integrated, physical therapy education through collaboration among uniquely specialized professionals and institutions, serving a variety of student and community populations and the physical therapy profession.

B. Mission Statement
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Physical Therapy Program will graduate Doctors of Physical Therapy who become licensed physical therapists competent in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunction, and who enhance the health and functional well-being of the communities they serve in the State of Wisconsin and beyond.

C. Philosophy
The faculty believes physical therapy education is complex, involving the student, faculty, academic institution, and professional community. The faculty further believes that the learning environment must be learner-centered to maximize the student’s performance based on their wide array of desires, past experiences, and learning capabilities. Therefore, the program promotes teaching styles that encourage active learning and student ownership of their success.

Professionalism is central to the educational process and will be modeled for and developed in physical therapy students as an integral part of their academic and clinical education. Therefore, the program promotes inclusion of professional behaviors into the curriculum as a required component for all academic and clinical courses.

Physical therapists are direct-access clinicians providing specialized care to optimize movement and improve the human experience. Therefore, the program uses a model where curricular content centered on strong foundational sciences is integrated with evidence-based clinical practice to promote clinician development based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for patient management.

D. Program Goals
In order to execute the mission statement that is consistent with the faculty philosophy on physical therapy education, the following goals have been established:

1. Recruit applicants from a variety of academic and geographic backgrounds.
2. Matriculate highly qualified applicants who demonstrate outstanding potential for success in academic, clinical and other professional environments.
3. Engage proficient students to completion of the program.
4. Develop contemporary practitioners who possess knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level practice of physical therapy.
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UWL Physical Therapy Program Policies Manual
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5. Develop Physical Therapists who display the core values of professionalism and professional behaviors consistent with expectations of a doctoring professional.
6. Faculty will possess a variety of educational credentials and specializations who demonstrate effective teaching and serve as professional role models.
7. Faculty will contribute to evidence-based practice through faculty and student scholarly activity.
8. Faculty will facilitate lifelong learning within the physical therapy community.

E. Expected DPT Student Outcomes (Student Learning Outcomes)

The DPT graduates will:
1. practice professionalism as observed through their ethical, moral and legal actions.
2. display cultural competence through their words and actions.
3. examine patients of all ages by obtaining a history, performing a systems review, and administering selected tests and measures.
4. evaluate data from the examination in order to render evidence based clinical decisions and determine a diagnosis that guides patient/client management.
5. prepare a patient plan of care that is safe, effective, considers available resources, and client centered.
6. perform physical therapy interventions and monitor patient outcomes.
7. promote prevention, health and wellness at the individual, community, and societal level.
8. display ability to utilize information technology to access scientific literature to support clinical decisions.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Outcomes

The University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy Program’s outcomes reflect the collective efforts of a diverse academic faculty and committed clinical educators who challenge and support our students through a rigorous 34 month curriculum.  The following tables reflect a sample of objective outcome measures which describe our graduates for the Classes of 2012 - 2023.

* Ultimate pass rate for graduates of US accredited PT Programs https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/NPTEPassRateReports/NPTEPassRatesByState.aspx?exam=PT