RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP

The purpose of a residency in Sports Physical Therapy is to provide the physical therapist with an opportunity to develop advanced competencies in sports physical therapy. This includes the development of a theoretical rationale for evaluation and treatment skills as well as the attainment of clinical reasoning processes necessary to prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries in an active population. The sports physical therapy residency program will provide the resident with clinical experience under the mentorship of a recognized clinical expert.

The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) is the accreditation body for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for postprofessional residency and fellowship programs in physical therapy.

Accreditation is a process used by APTA to ensure the quality of the education that participants receive in residency and fellowship programs in physical therapy. It is a voluntary, nongovernmental, peer-reviewed process that occurs on a regular basis.

Residency or Fellowship?

A common question that comes up when discussing post-professional residency or fellowship programs is “What is the difference?” The American Physical Therapy Association defines each as follows

Residency: A planned program of post-professional clinical and didactic education that is designed to advance significantly the physical therapist’s preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice. A sports physical therapy residency program is based on the latest Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) of Sports physical therapy.

Fellowship: A post-professional, funded, and planned learning experience in a focused area of physical therapist clinical practice, education, or research (not infrequently post-doctoral, post-residency prepared, or board-certified physical therapists).

The number of credentialed sports physical therapy residency and fellowship programs continues to grow. Do you qualify to be part of this exciting step in your education and professional growth? Find out today!

Current Residency Sites

Application Process