Curriculum

The curriculum was developed as a clinical fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy and is accredited by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT), and the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education. Graduates are conferred a Doctor of Science degree from Baylor University and may apply for fellow status from AAOMPT.

The program focuses on an advanced clinical reasoning model with emphasis on a thorough examination and careful observation of the outcomes of physical therapy intervention. The two-year training program is designed to prepare experienced physical therapists to be clinical experts in the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions from through evidence-based evaluation and treatment.

The program includes a comprehensive array of clinically-relevant topics. These include anatomy, biomechanics, differential diagnosis, radiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, research design and statistics, literature appraisal, and clinical teaching. The curriculum is designed to reinforce a body-region learning approach in each of these topics. Didactic classes are taught by physical therapists with post-professional doctoral degrees who are also board-certified clinical specialists through the APTA, as well as guest instructors from BAMC medical staff. Clinical instruction emphasizes thorough evaluation, intervention supported by patient reassessment, and timely return to functional activities.

Graduates have the foundation to rapidly assimilate manual therapy techniques and treatment philosophies of various origins. A publishable research project is a requirement of the fellowship.