Physical Therapy

Prospective students

Curriculum

The PT curriculum requires 34 months of study. Students spend two years taking courses at the Health Science Center in La Crosse before completing ten months of clinical internships. A Doctor of Physical Therapy will be awarded after the successful completion of the curriculum.

Grades below "C" earned in any required physical therapy course are unsatisfactory and cannot be used toward a degree in physical therapy. Students not meeting this requirement will be asked to withdraw from the program. In addition, all students in UWL graduate education must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Course timing is summarized in the PT Curriculum Grid. You can review the PT Course Descriptions as well.

Internships

All students complete five internships throughout the curriculum. The first internship, held during the student's first J-Term, is a two week experience to practice basic skills such as patient interviewing, muscle testing, documentation, etc. The second experience occurs at the end of the student's second summer semester and lasts four weeks. Emphasis is placed on rural/ primary care hospitals, home health, SNF, subacute settings. After completing two years of study in La Crosse the program concludes with three 12 week internships – inpatient rehab or acute care, outpatient general orthopedics and a niche setting of the student’s choice (rural medicine, pediatrics, sports, schools, research) which models the values characterized by autonomous practitioners.

Please be aware that a felony charge may affect your ability to obtain fieldwork placements and/or sit for the board examination.

Facilities

Opened in 2000, the Health Science Center (HSC) serves as the home of the PT Program, the La Crosse Institute of Movement Science (LIMS), and the Exercise Program for Adults with Neurologic Disorders (EXPAND). The second floor provides lecture space for didactic courses while the third floor houses the program's clinical and lab space. Other UWL programs housed in the HSC include the Medical Dosimetry, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant , Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiation Therapy programs.

HSC Outside1

Virtual Tour

Take a web tour of the HSC as it relates to the Physical Therapy Program. The tour will take you through the following HSC facilities:

Directions

The HSC is located at 1300 Badger St. on the western edge of the UWL campus.

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HSC Sign

Latest news

APTA CCIP Level 1 course to be held in January 2025

Alum Nate Vannatta’s career strengthens ties between UWL and Gundersen

New UWL research offers hope for enhanced recovery after total knee replacement

UW-La Crosse looks to transform lives of amputees with LEAP Program

Innovative program helps amputees thrive through personalized therapy

How UWL's new program transforms lives of amputees and PT students

UWL PT students enhance skills through healthcare experiences in India

Dr. Kernozek named to governor's healthcare task force.

Interview with third year student Callie Pohlman, author of the article "Effects of Body Weight Support in Running on Achilles Tendon Loading" published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine.

Want less impact on joints? UWL PT research shows a simple cue can make a big difference.

Alum provides care for theater productions in the United Kingdom. Read more in the Campus Connection

Virtual rehab: UWL Physical Therapy Program embraces shift to telehealth. Read more in the Campus Connection

Leaving a legacy: Family scholarship supports students overcoming adversity. Thorman Family Pay It Forward Scholarship

UWL PT students create programming for people with progressive neurological diseases in unique community program. To learn more please visit EXPAND Program Video

EXPANDing the minds of both students and clients

Led by Tom Kernozek, UW-La Crosse's physical therapy program a hotbed for scientific studies. Read more at the La Crosse Tribune

The UW-La Crosse PT Program has been granted the maximum 10 years of accreditation. Read more in Campus News

To learn about current continuing education opportunities offered through the PT program please visit Continuing Education