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Physical Therapy Programs in Wisconsin - WI
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 12th, 2010
Applicants for a license to practice physical therapy in the state of Wisconsin must earn either a Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT) or a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a school accredited by the Commission on Accredited Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association. Because many schools are transitioning their master’s degree programs to DPT programs and the trend is toward requiring stronger educational and clinical credentials of physical therapists, aspiring physical therapists would be well advised to pursue the DPT whenever possible.
An MPT takes two to two-and-a-half years to complete, and requires, on average, ten to fifteen weeks of practice in a clinical setting before a degree is awarded. A DPT takes about three years to complete and requires thirty or more weeks of clinical instruction in a physical therapy setting.
Admissions to physical therapy graduate programs are highly competitive, with less than half of applicants, and sometimes significantly fewer, receiving acceptances. Generally, an overall GPA of at least 3.0 is required, as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in prerequisite science courses. Physical therapy graduate programs do not require students to major in physical therapy or a medical related course of study as undergraduates. However, physical therapy applicants are required to have completed certain courses in the laboratory, life, and behavioral sciences. Typical prerequisites include biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, physics, and psychology, as well as coursework in statistics. Most schools also require students to obtain some practical clinical experience in physical, whether on a paid or volunteer basis, before making their applications.
The number of hours of such work varies from school to school, but generally ranges between fifty and one hundred hours. The work must be done in under the supervision or direction of a licensed physical therapist. There are both campus-based and online Wisconsin physical therapy schools available.
As graduate students, potential physical therapists take courses in a range of scientific and health-related topics, including physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, exercise science, orthopedics, neurology, and human development. Elective or advanced courses may be available in pediatrics, geriatrics, pharmacology, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Physical therapy students must also take clinical courses in patient assessment and therapeutic methods. In addition, physical therapy programs require students to spend a significant amount of time practicing in a clinical setting under appropriate supervision. Clinics are generally divided into rotations lasting from four to sixteen weeks, so that students can experience the practice of physical therapy in a variety of settings including, hospitals, schools, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.
Online / Distance Programs
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