A clinical residency is a program of post professional clinical and didactic education for physical therapists, designed to advance significantly the physical therapist resident’s preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice. The residency is based on established practice analysis, but the emphasis of a particular residency is up to the individual residency program, as defined by its stated mission and goals.

A clinical fellowship is a post professional learning experience in a focused subspecialty area of clinical practice, education and research. The fellowship is intended for postdoctoral, post-residency prepared or board certified therapists.

So what is the difference?

The rule of thumb is that residencies can be in a specialty or subspecialty; fellowships must be in a subspecialty (manual therapy, performing arts physical therapy, neonatal physical therapy etc).

A fellowship is designed for the graduate of a residency or board certified therapist to focus on a subspecialty area of clinical practice, education or research. Additionally, applicants of a clinical fellowship program must have the following qualifications:

• Specialist certification or completion of a residency in a specialty area
• Substantial clinical experience in a specialty area
• Demonstrable clinical skills within a particular specialty area

The curriculum in residency and fellowship programs is based on a recognized practice analysis. For example, a clinical residency in orthopedic physical therapy will base its curriculum on the most recent Description of Specialty Practice in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.

Fellowship programs base their curriculum in a subspecialty area, which would take that curriculum beyond the already established Description of Specialty Practice (DSP).

Depending on the specialty area, successful completion of a residency program might fulfill some or all of the minimum practice eligibility requirements to sit for the specialist certification examination. However, experience from residencies in which the curriculum plan reflects only a portion of the DSP will not be considered.

A clinical residency program must consist of a minimum of 1500 hours. The program must also be at least 9 months in duration, but not longer than 36 months. A clinical fellowship must consist of a minimum of 1000 hours and be at least 6 months in duration, but not longer than 36 months.

Upon completion of a manual therapy fellowship program you will be recognized as a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).