A fellowship program is a postprofessional planned learning experience comprised of a curriculum encompassing the essential knowledge, skills, and responsibilities of an advanced physical therapist within a defined area of subspecialty practice.
A fellowship candidate has either completed a residency program in a related specialty area or is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) board-certified specialist in a related area of specialty.
ABPTRFE currently accredits clinical physical therapist fellowship programs in the following areas:
- Critical Care
- Hand Therapy
- Movement System
- Neonatology
- Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
- Performing Arts
- Spine
- Sports Division 1
- Upper Extremity Athlete
ABPTRFE also accredits non-clinical physical therapist fellowship programs in the area of Higher Education Leadership.
Many programs utilize RF-PTCAS for their admission process.
For those programs that do not participant in RF-PTCAS, please contact them directly for their admission process.