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Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program

The Department of Physical Therapy offers a one-year Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. We’ve designed the program to ensure the post-professional development of expert clinicians who can function as members of an autonomous profession.

Our Residency Program is ideal for licensed clinicians who are motivated to achieve a higher level of training and expertise. As a resident, you’ll receive a clinical and didactic education that will significantly advance your skill and knowledge in the delivery of orthopedic physical therapy and prepare you for future fellowship opportunities. Additionally, our Residency Program provides insights and experiences for those interested in an academic career.

Orthopaedic PT
Patient works with physical therapy resident Jordan Harwell using a stretch strap to increase upper extremity strength.

During the year, you’ll learn from clinical experts with advanced credentials and residency experience. You’ll provide patient care under the guidance of senior mentors and participate in intensive didactic educational programs. At the end of the residency, your clinical skills and problem-solving ability will put you on the leading edge of our profession, and will enable you to be a resource for developing clinical excellence for both students and licensed physical therapists. Residency-based training is becoming a standard in our profession—and you’ll be in the vanguard.

Program Outcomes

Our measures of success are specialization exam pass rate, employment status and scholarly achievements. To date, since our program’s first graduate in 2011, we’ve had a 100 percent completion rate for those admitted to the program as well as 100 percent graduates have passed the orthopedic specialist exam on the first attempt. 

Six of our graduates have pursued their PhD, one is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAMOPT), two are certified in therapeutic pain science and five residency graduates have been hired as faculty and/or staff at UT Southwestern. Many of our residency graduates hold leadership positions, contribute to research and are involved in expert level patient care. 

Financial Fact Sheet

 Residency and Fellowship Finacial Fact Sheet Ortho & Sports 2023