The Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) Program in Physical Therapy is committed to developing health care professionals who have a sound foundation in Movement Science and are prepared for safe, autonomous, and ethical practice as physical therapists within a changing health care environment. The Program seeks to foster personal growth in mind, body, and spirit for Christian service to the community.

Why Should You Choose CUW for your Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree?

1. Small class sizes: The great majority of your classes will have 28 students
2. Licensure Pass Rate: For  three graduating classes (2014, 2015, 2016), our first time licensure exam pass rate is 100%. The class graduating in 2017 the first time pass rate is 96%. Our ultimate pass rate since the program started (1996) is 100%.
3. Faculty/student ratio: 1:9  All courses taught by full or adjunct faculty – no TAs teaching
4. Interprofessional Education (IPE): DPT students will be involved in at least four IPE activities with Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Nursing, Athletic Training, Social Work, and Nursing students from CUW.  You will also take Anatomy, Neuroscience, Pediatric Rehabilitation and Healthcare Management with Occupational Therapy students (about 52 students in each of those classes).
5. Thirty–four weeks of fulltime clinical education experiences integrated throughout the program. IN ADDITION, we do not utilize a lottery system to place you at clinical sites!
6. Tuition is locked. What you pay the first semester in the DPT program is what you pay the last semester! No 3-4% increases each year!
7. On campus community clinic. Participation in this clinic starts during your first year in the program (spring semester) when you will be paired with a second year student (under supervision of a faculty member) to manage a patient.
8. Free tutoring once you are in the program. Tutoring provided by an approved DPT student or by a DPT faculty member.
9. Global education and plenty of service learning opportunities

How to Apply:

Applicants to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program apply through an online service called Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) found at www.ptcas.org.  As part of the admissions process, applicants will be asked to submit the following items directly to PTCAS:

1.  Official Transcripts from all previously attended universities.  Students with international transcripts must have them evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service and the official scores must be submitted directly from the evaluation service to PTCAS.

2.  Two Letters of Recommendation.  The letters of recommendation should be academic or professional and speak to your skills, abilities, and desire to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. 

3.  Personal Statement.  Your personal statement will be completed as part of the PTCAS application and should speak to your desire to pursue your education in Physical Therapy.

4.  Complete 40 Hours of Observation in a Physical Therapy Setting.  Applicants are encouraged to observe in a variety of practice settings.  Applicants with additional experience beyond 40 hours will not be granted preferential consideration.   

5.  Submit GRE Score.  Register to take the GRE at www.ets.org/gre/.  You will request the score to be sent directly to PTCAS using the code 7697. 

6.  Complete the Required Prerequisites.  You should have completed or be in the process of completing the prerequisite courses for entry to the DPT Program.  All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation for accepted students.

Dates for Summer 2018 Admission: 

August 14, 2017:  Deadline for Early Decision applicants to submit materials to PTCAS.

September 8, 2017:  Campus Visit/Interview Day for selected Early Decision applicants. 

September 19, 2017:  Early Decision offers mailed.

October 2, 2017:  Deadline for Regular Decision applicants to submit materials to PTCAS

November 18, 2017:  Campus Visit/Interview Day for selected Regular Decision applicants

November 21, 2017:  Regular Decision offers mailed.

May 2018:  Program Starts

About CUW:

Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the World. This mission is what drives us every day, and we aim to uphold it in every class, residence hall, and chapel service.

Location and Campus: 200 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan 15 miles north of downtown Milwaukee in suburban Mequon, Wisconsin

Schools of Study: Arts and Sciences, Batterman School of Business, Education, Health Professions, Nursing, and Pharmacy

Enrollment: Total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate) is 7721. Graduate students (including DPT and Pharmacy) enrollment is 3891. There are 39 master’s degree programs and 4 doctorate/professional programs. There are 1857 students enrolled in all the health profession programs at CUW.

Mission and Affiliation:

“CUW is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the World.” The university is affiliated with The Lutheran Church‐Missouri Synod and is a member of the Concordia University System. CUW was founded in 1881.