General Fellowship FAQs
What is a Fellowship?
A post-professional planned learning experience in a focused area of clinical practice, education, or research (not infrequently post-professional or for post-residency prepared, or board-certified therapists).
What is the mission and philosophy of the program?
The School of Physical Therapy, Department of Post-Professional Studies currently has two fellowship programs: a Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship (APTA credentialed) and Fellowship in Optimal Aging (APTA applicant). The Fellowship programs at Regis University are dedicated to providing a values-centered education within the Jesuit Catholic tradition. The programs are designed to produce graduates who are leaders in the areas of teaching, research, and the practice of manual or geriatric physical therapy. The Fellowship graduates will be grounded in an evidence-based practice model and experts at integrating evidence into the daily practice of physical therapy.
The Goals of the Fellowship Programs are to:
- Provide a cutting edge educational environment that integrates state of the art learning tools with advanced professional clinical practice.
- Admit and develop physical therapists that value the Jesuit tradition of service to others and are committed to ethical professional practice.
- Attract and support physical therapy educators who model professional behavior, excel in teaching, contribute to the physical therapy profession, and support the fellowship students in their reflection of "how ought we to live."
- Develop leaders in education, research, and practice who assume leadership roles in the APTA.
Do applicants to the Fellowship options have to be doctorally prepared?
No. The Fellowship options are post professional options for US licensed physical therapists. Students that are not doctorally prepared will need to consult with the program coodinator to determine their readiness for the program and may need to complete online modules prior to starting the program. This is determined on an individual basis.
What are virtual rounds?
Recent developments in educational technology now allows for more meaningful online collaboration. Using special online collaboration tools it is now possible for individuals to interact in real-time with people in different locations. Therefore, Fellows in the program will interact in “virtual rounds” with other Fellows in training and Fellowship mentors.
Where are the one-on-one supervision clinical sites?
There are a number of clinical sites throughout the country who have agreed to work with Fellows in our programs. It is the responsibility of the Fellows in training to arrange state licensure, travel, accommodations, etc., when engaged in practice at these facilities. Fellows in training who wish to arrange one-on-one supervision with new potential Fellowship Mentors are encouraged to work with the program to establish a formal relationship with our program.
What is the cost of the Fellowship program?
The current per semester hour price for the Fall 2013-Summer 2014 school year is $525; therefore the cost of a 3-semester hour course is $1,575. The total estimated cost of tuition for the 18 semester hour program is $9450. Student pay on a per course basis, not as a lump sum.
Additional estimated costs beyond tuition include the following: books ($200), background check ($60), APTA and AAOMPT membership, cost of travel and lodging to Denver for weekend intensives (4 or 5 trips), registration and travel to national conference (must attend one conference - CSM or AAOMPT), possible travel and accomodations to complete 1:1 clinical hours.
Do I receive a degree from the Fellowship Programs?
Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, the graduate will receive a Regis University Academic Certificate that will be recorded on an official University transcript.
What are the admission requirements for the Fellowship Programs?
Admission to the Fellowship is granted on a competitive basis with selections made annually. The requirements for admission into the Fellowship are:
- US licensed PTs that are BSPT, MSPT or DPT prepared are eligible to apply.
- Currently engaged in clinical practice in specialty practice area and board eligible for APTA Orthopedic or Geriatric Clinical Specialist Certification. Applicants do not have to be OCS or GCS certified at the time of application. Students that are not OCS certified at the time of application are expected to sit for the OCS exam prior to completion of the practium examination. Due to the lag between application, and receipt of results (up to 12 months); if acceptance to sit for the OCS examination has been completed, an applicant may complete the practicum examination prior to sitting for the examination if approved by course faculty. It is strongly encouraged that Fellows in Training apply for the OCS exam prior to July 31st of the year they expect to complete Fellowship requirements.
- Evidence of commitment to advanced musculoskeletal/geriatric practice, clinical research, and mentoring of physical therapy students.
Fellowship in Manual Therapy Specific FAQs
What is orthopaedic manual physical therapy (OMPT)?
Orthopaedic manual physical therapy is a defined area of physical therapy practice emphasizing the use of manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization and manipulation) procedures while integrating these procedures into total patient management across the lifespan. Manual physical therapy has a growing body of peer-reviewed evidence supporting its use across a wide spectrum of patient populations; currently it is the most popular area of fellowship practice in physical therapy.
Who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)?
"Fellow" status in the AAOMPT is both a membership classification and a professional credential. As a professional credential, a "Fellow" in AAOMPT is an international recognition of competence and expertise in the practice of orthopaedic manual physical therapy by a physical therapist licensed in the USA. To achieve the Fellow credential, a physical therapist must complete a credentialed fellowship program in orthopaedic manual physical therapy or demonstrate the equivalent level of competence by successfully passing a portfolio review process and oral/practical examination. The "Fellow" is a physical therapist who has demonstrated advanced clinical, analytical, and hands-on skills in the treatment of musculoskeletal (orthopaedic) disorders. Fellows serve their patients and the public by demonstrating excellence in clinical practice, education, and research.
To maintain the professional credential of Fellow, a physical therapist must be a member in good standing in the AAOMPT. The Fellow membership classification affords the member special privileges to vote on issues related to practice standards, international affairs, and bylaw changes. Additionally, only Fellows are allowed to serve on the executive committee as President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer (any member in good standing may serve on the executive committee as Member-at-Large). These requirements are in place to comply with the constitution and bylaws of the International Federation of Manipulative Therapist (IFOMT) of which the AAOMPT is the representative organization from the USA.
For more information on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists visit their website at www.aaompt.org.
Can I begin the Fellowship prior to earning the OCS?
While students are eligible to apply to the Fellowship program prior to being OCS certified, the Fellowship is designed to follow an Orthopeadic Residency (or equivalent, i.e. OCS). Students that are not OCS certified at the time of application are expected to sit for the OCS exam prior to completion of the practicum examination. Due to the lag between application, and receipt of results (up to 12 months); if acceptance to sit for the OCS examination has been completed, an applicant may complete the practium examination prior to sitting for the examination if approved by course faculty. It is strongly encouraged that Fellows in Training apply for the OCS exam prior to July 31st of the year they expect to complete Fellowship requirements. See the American Physical Therapy Association website for additional information on minimum eligibility requirements for clinical specialty certification. The Fellowship programs are geared toward leadership, teaching and research. The ideal candidate for the Fellowship program has strong clinical orthopaedic or geriatric skills prior to applying to the Fellowship and builds upon these skills in the program.
Are there additional expectations and requirements for the Fellowship?
The Fellowship uses a variety of methods to assess the clinical competence of each fellow in training. The fellow in training must demonstrate safe and effective patient/client management in a clinical setting with an examiner present. In addition, there are the following requirements:
- A comprehensive written examination.
- Four technique/practical examinations.
- One patient exam with a spinal/axial focus.
- One patient exam with a peripheral/appendicular focus.
- A platform or poster presentation at a national meeting.
- Participation in research activity.
What are the one-on-one practice supervision hour requirements of the Fellowship?
A minimum of 130 clinical practice hours are required (up to 150 recommended). Practice hours must be under direct clinical supervision of a Fellowship Mentor. Clinical supervision is defined as on-site, one-on-one instructor supervision of the Fellow in training while actively engaged in patient/client management. The Fellow in training must serve as the primary clinician responsible for the patient’s care for a minimum of 110 of the 130 hours. The remaining 20 hours may be devoted to observation or the instructor providing care to the instructor’s patient(s) and/or discussion with the instructor on patient/client management.
What are the clinical practice hour requirements of the Fellowship programs?
Students in the Fellowship in Manual Therapy complete a minimum of 440 hours of clinical practice focused on orthopedic physical therapy during the program. This includes a minimum of 310 hours in virtual rounds, and 130-150 hours of direct one-on-one clinical practice working with a Fellow.
How much travel is involved in completing the program?
The Fellows in training generally spend four or five weekends at our beautiful campus located in Denver, Colorado. Additional weekends may be required for practical examinations. Travel involved in the program includes four weekend intensives associated with the management courses, practical exams, AAOMPT Annual Meeting attendance at least one time during the program, and travel related to the 130-150 hours of one-on-one clinical practice under the direct supervision of a Fellow.
Is the Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship program credentialed with the APTA?
Yes. Regis University Manual Therapy Fellowship has been credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association as a post-professional clinical fellowship program for physical therapists in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy since 2006, and currently through 2018.
What are the core courses in the Manual Therapy Fellowship Program?
The core courses total 18 semester hours:
- DPT 741T Management of Lumbosacral Disorders (3 SH)
- DPT 742T Management of Cervical/Thoracic Disorders (3 SH)
- DPT 745T Management of Lower Extremity Disorders (3 SH)
- DPT 746T Management of Upper Extremity Disorders (3 SH)
- DPT 784T Virtual Rounds I (1 SH)
- DPT 785T Virtual Rounds II (1 SH)
- DPT 786T Virtual Rounds III (1 SH)
- DPT 790T Clinical Fellowship Practicum (3 SH)