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Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency

The Orthopedic Physical Therapy (PT) Residency is a post-professional program that prepares licensed, currently practicing physical therapists to advance their practice in orthopedic physical therapy. The residency emphasizes critical thinking and evidence-based practice. You will complete didactic courses taught by expert faculty as well as clinical mentorship courses with a certified orthopedic certified specialist (OCS)—all without giving up your current job or moving.

After completing the program, residents are prepared to sit for the Orthopedic Specialty Examination to become an OCS. Many residents go on to become educators, owners of their own practice, or leaders in their organizations.

The residency is a hybrid program that combines:

  • Online learning, including live video conference-based classes and discussion boards
  • Six in-person weekend course sessions on Temple’s Main Campus that emphasize hands-on collaborative learning
  • Mentored clinical practice in or near your current place of employment

What distinguishes our orthopedic PT residency?

Designed for working professionals

Residents remain at their own site of practice while advancing their evidence-based orthopedic skills and knowledge in the program. Residents are able to continue working fulltime while completing the didactic coursework and clinical mentorship.

Expert faculty at a renowned university

The renowned faculty of Temple’s physical therapy program teach all residency courses. Our faculty members are experienced clinical educators who have advanced orthopedic credentials, including orthopedic manual physical therapy fellowship training.

Individualized mentoring, practice and feedback

Cohorts vary from in size from four to six residents. The small cohort size means residents get extensive individualized attention and feedback from faculty through the online coursework, weekend lab-based courses, regular advising and frequent meetings.

State-of-the-art clinical laboratory space

In-person weekend courses take place in the College of Public Health’s STAR Complex, featuring smart classrooms and specialized clinical training spaces.

Program format

The Orthopedic PT Residency is a non-credit-bearing program, with cohorts beginning in January each year. It consists of 24 units in two course categories:

  • Musculoskeletal management didactic courses, which cover evidence-based management of musculoskeletal disorders. These courses include readings as well as online lectures and discussion. In- person weekend lab courses emphasize physical examination, manual therapy, exercise prescription and clinical decision-making.
  • Clinical mentorship courses, which occur at the resident’s place of employment and include an online component for individual feedback and interaction with faculty. This encourages residents to draw connections between their clinical practice and the residency’s didactic content.

Questions? Contact us

Complete an interest form and email it to , or contact the program director:

Accreditation

This program is an American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE)-accredited residency program. Website: abptrfe.org

Program Outcomes 2022

  • Resident graduation rate: 100%
  • OCS exam first time pass rate: 100%

*This program is not subject to accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: ; website: http://www.capteonline.org