Sports Residency or Fellowship

Residency and fellowship programs provide postprofessional education through one-to-one mentoring, structured curricular experiences, and guided learning, designed to enhance the quality of patient care and practitioner knowledge in specialty and subspecialty areas by incorporating best practices.

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 American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education
Investing in residency or fellowship education and achieving board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties can offer tangible professional and financial rewards. According to APTA’s 2023 Wage Report, board-certified physical therapists consistently earn higher wages across all clinical settings.

The advantage is especially significant for those who obtain board certification within the first five years of practice, setting a strong trajectory for long-term career growth. By deepening clinical expertise, enhancing credibility, and positioning yourself for leadership and specialty roles, residency, fellowship, and board certification are strategic steps toward maximizing your impact—and your income—in the physical therapy profession.

Find out if you qualify to be part of this exciting step in your education and professional growth today!