Curriculum

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

This advanced and highly specialized orthopaedic manual physical therapy fellowship is designed to elevate the clinical skills of experienced physical therapists to the level of clinical expertise in orthopaedic care, with a strong emphasis on manual therapy assessment and intervention. Under the leadership of the program director, the fellowship leverages a broad network of civilian and military resources to deliver state-of-the-art, post-professional education. The academic curriculum extends beyond hands-on clinical application to build a solid foundation in research efficacy and critical appraisal of the literature.

The two-year program is divided into four semesters. Coursework follows a regional approach from the spine to peripheral joints, with pertinent topics—such as anatomy, biomechanics, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, radiology, and surgical management—aligned to support an integrated learning experience. This structure supports a broadening of knowledge, skills, and affective behaviors that enhance professional competence and improve patient outcomes.

A key component of the fellowship is its robust clinical training, which includes over 150 hours of one-on-one mentorship with real patients. This structure allows fellows-in-training to collaboratively evaluate, treat, and progress patients under the guidance of experienced AAOMPT Fellows. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive examinations and careful observation of treatment outcomes. Interventions range from targeted therapeutic exercises to advanced manual therapy techniques.

Clinical education and most didactic instruction occur within the physical therapy clinic. Fellows-in-training divide their time between clinical care in the morning and academic or research activities during the remaining half of the day. The program is supported by three full-time faculty members and several part-time clinical mentors—all of whom are graduates of orthopaedic fellowships and are AAOMPT Fellows.

Graduates of the program are well-equipped to become leaders in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. They gain expertise in clinical decision-making, providing patient-centered care, conducting individual research, and teaching. Fellows-in-training are expected to design and conduct an IRB-approved clinical research trial during their training. In addition, they are provided with multiple opportunities throughout the program to engage in teaching and mentorship of the Army-Baylor DPT interns at the Medical Center of Exellence (MEDCoE). These instructional experiences may include leading lab sessions, facilitating clinical reasoning discussions, and providing feedback during practical examinations – enhancing both the interns’ learning and the fellows-in-training development as clinical educators.