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Phone: (414) 229-3360
Fax: (414) 229-3366
E-mail: pt-programs@uwm.edu

Physical Therapy

School/College: College of Health Sciences

Degree Conferred: Doctor of Physical Therapy

Contents

Overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy is a consortial degree with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The degree is offered to two cohorts: those entering the profession for the first time (Entry-Level DPT) and those already licensed and returning to post-professional education (Transitional DPT).

The Entry-Level DPT is a full-time, three-year, tracked, traditionally taught program. Students will enroll in the program in Summer and will be continuously enrolled for the 34-month curriculum. Students will apply in Fall, to be enrolled in the following Summer.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. The program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not ensure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status nor does it ensure that the program will be granted accreditation.

Graduate Faculty

Professors
Duncan, Margaret C., Ph.D., Purdue University
Hasbrook, Cynthia A., Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chair
Snyder, Ann C., Ph.D., Purdue University
Associate Professors
Hart, Barbara A., Ph.D., University of Massachusetts
Meyer, Barbara B., Ph.D., Michigan State University
Sander, Erika, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley
Assistant Professors
Earl, Jennifer, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Huddleston, Wendy, Ph.D., PT, Medical College of Wisconsin
Moerchen, Victoria, PhD., PT, University of Wisconsin-Madison
O'Connor, Kristian M., Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Papaioannou, George, Ph.D., University of Strathclyde
Smith, J. Carson, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Strath, Scott J., Ph.D., University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Swartz, Ann M., Ph.D., University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Zalewski, Kathryn R, Ph.D., PT, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy

This bulletin reflects only the first year of courses for the e-DPT program and the core courses for the t-DPT program.

Admission

Admission to the program is competitive. The program will enroll 24 students. An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:

  • Completed undergraduate degree by May 30 of the application year.
  • A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Completion of 10 prerequisite courses
    • General Biology (4 cr)
    • Human Anatomy (4 cr)*
    • Human Physiology (4 cr)*
    • Chemistry I (4 cr)*
    • Chemistry II (4 cr)*
    • Statistics (3 cr)
    • Physics I (4 cr)*
    • Physics II (4 cr)*
    • Sociology (3 cr)
    • Psychology (3 cr)
      • * courses requiring a lab component
  • Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination taken within the last five years
  • Completion of two, 20-hour-each observational experiences with a licensed physical therapist. Forms used to verify these experiences are available on the e-DPT Web site.
  • Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be an academic reference.
  • Completion of the Program-specific admission paperwork available on the e-DPT Web site. Narrative essays are evaluated as part of the selection process.

An applicant who does not meet minimum departmental or Graduate School entrance requirements, but meets Graduate School requirements for a probationary admission (see the Admission on Probation section of this Bulletin) should contact the Graduate Coordinator for additional probationary entrance requirement information.

Selection

The program will enroll 24 students per year. Students are selected based on GPA, GRE scores, two letters of recommendation (one academic reference, one personal reference), and narratives. For equally qualified candidates, depth of preparation in the basic and human movement sciences will be considered by the selection committee. UWM kinesiology students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Major Professor as Advisor

The Graduate School requires that each student have a major professor to advise, supervise and approve the program of study before registering for courses. Students will be assigned a temporary advisor on admission to the program. Students will be able to change advisors within the first year of the professional program.

Credits and Courses

The program is a tracked curriculum of 112 credits including 36 weeks of internship in the final year of the program. Students will enroll as full time students for each term of study (Summer, Fall, Spring) and will enroll during UWinteriM of their first year in the program. There is no part-time option for students in the e-DPT program.

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Admissions suspended until further notice
Admission

The program will cap enrollment in any one class at 24 students, but will not limit total enrollment in the program. An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:

  • Completed professional degree in Physical Therapy with a valid license to practice Physical Therapy in the United States.
  • A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 in the first professional degree program.
  • English proficiency as defined by the Graduate School.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of professional development.
  • Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination taken within the last 5 years OR a grade of B or better in HMS 714 (Evidence in Practice I) and one other course in the program core achieved prior to admission. HMS 713: Seminar is approved for the alternate admission requirement.

An applicant who does not meet minimum departmental or Graduate School entrance requirements, but meets Graduate School requirements for a probationary admission (see the Admission on Probation section of this Bulletin) should contact the Graduate Coordinator for additional probationary entrance requirement information.

Major Professor as Advisor

The Graduate School requires that each student have a major professor to advise, supervise and approve the program of study before registering for courses. Students will be assigned a temporary advisor on admission to the program.

Credits and Courses

The program requires completion of a 15-credit core. For students entering the program with a professional bachelor's degree, 45 credits are required for degree completion. For students entering the program with a professional or post-professional master's degree, 30 credits are required for degree completion.

Transitional DPT Core Courses
HMS 713 Professional Issues Seminar. 1 cr.
HMS 714 Evidence for Practice I. 3 cr.
HMS 715 Evidence for Practice II. 3 cr.
HMS 716 Seminar: The Culture of Evidence. 1 cr.
HMS 718 Clinical Radiology. 2 cr.
HMS 743 Health Systems Review. 2 cr.
HMS 745 Health Promotion/Wellness for Physical Therapy Practice. 3 cr.
Electives for the Transitional DPT include:
HMS 541 Clinical Foundations of the Physical Therapy Examination. 5 cr. U/G.
HMS 542 Physical Agents. 3 cr. U/G.
HMS 565 Motor Behavior. 2 cr. U/G.
HMS 635 Pathophysiology. 2 cr. U/G.
HMS 640 Scientific Principles of Interventions. 5 cr. U/G.

Other electives are in development.

Courses

Courses numbered 300 to 699 are Undergraduate/Graduate.
Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.
Clinical Lab Sciences (C L SCI)
C L Sci 246/555 Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Toxicology is a required core course for the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy. This course is not offered by HMS.
Human Movement Sciences (HMS)
525 (HMS 525) Human Gross Anatomy. 6 cr. U/G. A comprehensive consideration of the human anatomy including both neuro-musculoskeletal components and internal organ systems. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
526 (HMS 526) Applied Anatomy Assessment. 1 cr. U/G. A course designed to acquaint the student with the clinical significance of anatomical landmarks & palpation skills. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
527 (HMS 527) Kinesiology and Biomechanics of Normal and Abnormal Movement. 3 cr. U/G. The principles & theories of the biomechanics of human motion presented to develop analytical skills to assess normal & abnormal movement. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
536 (HMS 536) Physiological Regulation in Exertion and Disease. 2 cr. U/G. This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the physiological basis of activity. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
540 (HMS 540) Introduction to Physical Therapy Practice. 2 cr. U/G. The learner will be exposed to the multiple roles of the physical therapist as a professional. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
541 (HMS 541) Clinical Foundations of the Physical Therapy Examination. 5 cr. U/G. A course designed to instruct the student on techniques to examine patients/clients. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
542 (HMS 542) Physical Agents. 3 cr. U/G. This course provides an understanding of the physiological basis, scientific rationale for, & clinical application of: thermal, electrophysiology/ electrotherapy & electromagnetic physical agents. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
553 (HMS 553) Medical Physiology. 4 cr. U/G. Emphasis upon physiological principles related to rehabilitation in physical therapy practice setting & interaction of physiological systems during normal activities & after injury or disease. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
565 (HMS 565) Motor Behavior. 2 cr. U/G. This course will provide a theoretical & research evidence basis for normal & disordered movement via motor control, motor learning, & motor development literature. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
566 (HMS 566) Functional Neuroanatomy. 3 cr. U/G. This course will introduce the student to the anatomical basis of neuroscience in physical therapy. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
635 (HMS 635) Pathophysiology. 2 cr. U/G. This course will provide the student with information about the general inflammatory & specific pathologies of the various organ systems. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
640 (HMS 640) Scientific Principles of Interventions. 5 cr. U/G. This course teaches the basic therapeutic interventions used to treat impairments and functional limitations in the different biological systems that lead to movement dysfunction. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
641 (HMS 641) Cardiopulmonary Evaluation & Treatment. 3 cr. U/G. This course focuses on normal & abnormal structure & function of the cardiovascular, pulmonary & lymphatic systems with emphasis on medical & other therapeutic strategies. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
642 (HMS 642) Professionalism and the Ethos of Care. 3 cr. U/G. Students will explore ethics of professional practice, fiduciary relationships, rights, duties associated with the patient/therapist relationship & the role character plays in ethical decision-making. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
680 (HMS 680) Clinical Fieldwork I. 1 cr. U/G. The student will be assigned to a clinically based learning experience with an emphasis on practicing recently learned clinical skills on a patient population. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
705 (HMS 705) Foundations of Clinical Research. 2 cr. G. Research methodology with an emphasis on clinical research is the focus of this course. Prereq: Grad student status & enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Prog. Students in good standing in prog or cons of instr.
713 (HMS 713) Professional Issues Seminar. 1 cr. G. Explores strategies for growth and adaptation of physical therapy practice in the context of a changing health care environment. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy or cons of instr.
714 (HMS 714) Evidence for Practice I. 3 cr. G. Provides clinicians with a rubric for searching and evaluating the published literature supporting physical therapy practice and informing best practice decisions. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy or cons of instr.
715 (HMS 715) Evidence for Practice II. 3 cr. G. This course synthesizes prior coursework in the development and presentation of a clinical practice decision supported with best evidence practices. Students may re-enroll in this course for up to 6 credits. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy.
716 (HMS 716) Seminar: The Culture of Evidence. 1 cr. G. Overview of the role of evidence in physical therapy clinical decision making with application to current interventions. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy or cons of instr.
718 (HMS 718) Clinical Radiology. 2 cr. G. Overview of medical diagnostics emphasizing indications and implications for imaging studies used to augment information obtained from the physical therapy examination. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy or cons of instr.
743 (HMS 743) Health Systems Review. 2 cr. G. Provides systems overview of screening procedures necessary to provide a comprehensive physical therapy diagnosis with an emphasis on screening for referral. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy or cons of instr.
745 (HMS 745) Health Promotion/Wellness for Physical Therapy Practice. 3 cr. G. Explores epidemiology, risk factors, health behavior, preventive screening, principles and application of the principles to a healthy population and populations with unique needs. Prereq: Valid license to practice physical therapy or cons of instr.

Page last updated on: 03/17/2008