The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offers students seeking to become physical therapists a program that anchors learning in community service. The program’s vision is to transform societal health through physical therapy education by creating professionals who collaborate to serve the evolving, diverse needs of our communities.
About the Program
The UW-Stevens Point DPT program is a developing program. The program will emphasize developing the physical therapist who has the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice in the unique environments our rural communities offer. Classes for the program's first cohort will begin in June 2022*. The program is a 2.5-year program, with students taking
classes year-round.
The program is anchored in:
- learning through practice with your faculty
- interprofessional learning opportunities
- an emphasis on health promotion and the role movement plays in keeping our communities healthy
Clinical Learning Experiences
The DPT program has integrated community-engaged learning throughout the program through the developing PT Student Clinic. This continuous engagement with our community culminates in two 15-week immersion
experiences in local, regional and national clinics.
We offer experiences in:
- private practice
- home health
- hospital-based clinics
- school systems
- community centers
- longterm rehabilitation agencies
Regional Need
With our focus in preparing individuals for rural practice, the DPT program is addressing a regional need. Rural communities face health problems that include addressing the needs of an older population who have access barriers tied to geography.
That’s why our program is focused on developing intervention strategies that are innovative and include training in technology augmented rehabilitation and tele-rehabilitation. Our priority as stated in our
needs assessment is on improving access, and graduates of this program will be able to apply these skills to meet the needs many communities.
Living and learning in a rural community teaches problem-solving that is directly applied to practice challenges faced in many environments.
The Right Fit
The UW-Stevens Point Doctor of Physical Therapy program is right for you if you:
- appreciate learning with your peers in real world environment
- enjoy practice-based learning
- value close faculty mentoring relationships
- respect the responsibilities and opportunities that come from small communities
- are a little bit of a risk taker
- want to help change the communities in which you live
If these values speak to you, then the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UW-Stevens Point is a fit for you. We look forward to helping you live and learn here!
Top 5 Reasons to Apply to Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UW-Stevens Point
The UW-Stevens Point Doctor of Physical Therapy program has been developed with the students and region in mind – here are the
top 5 reasons to apply to UWSP:
- #5: Local Community Partnerships
- #4: Experienced Faculty
- #3: Focus on Primary Care and Rural Practice
- #2: Practical Clinical Learning
- #1: Quality + Affordability = Value
Accreditation Information
*Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Effective April 26, 2022, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Doctor of Physical Therapy Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 715-346-4870 or email: dpt@uwsp.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
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