Doctor of Physical Therapy

The UW–Madison Physical Therapy program was one of the first three physical therapy programs in the country to receive accreditation from the American Physical Therapy Association in 1929. The three-year program offers a professional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree in the School of Medicine and Public Health. Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and oversee the management of patients of all ages in order to improve their physical and functional abilities. They help people maintain optimal health and fitness, and prevent the onset or progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to disease, disorders and other conditions. DPT graduates practice in a wide variety of settings such as: clinics, hospitals, nursing facilities, patients’ homes, schools, emergency departments, research settings, sports centers, and industrial workplaces. They often pursue professional development opportunities; they can complete clinical residencies and become board certified in many specialties including: orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, sports, geriatrics, cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, pelvic health, oncology, and wound management.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution is required. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree. You must have completed your undergraduate degree, or similar, before starting graduate school. A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 credit hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. The Graduate School will take into consideration different grade scales from institutions that do not have 4.00 scales (e.g., institutions outside the United States of America).