About the Orthopedic Residency Program

The one-year Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency at The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is designed to advance a clinician’s skills and knowledge concerning patient-first orthopedic physical therapy supported by the best evidence, and track outcomes for quality improvement. The residency accepts 4 to 6 residents annually.

The program includes learning modules and activities that reinforce clinical practice based on best-evidence, research, and scholarship. The residency integrates content with MUSC’s other residency programs: Neurological, Geriatric, and Pediatric Residency to enhance the depth and breadth of the learning experience for all residents.

Residency components include:

• Independent patient care

• 1:1 mentoring

• A scholarly project

• Case presentations

• Didactic and laboratory coursework designed to provide a basis for advanced clinical practice using both online and face-to-face learning formats.

Residents must attend 4 weekend intensive sessions at MUSC in Charleston, SC for hands-on learning sessions.

Residents are licensed physical therapists and receive a salary and benefits package from their clinical employer. Each mentor is hand-selected and undergoes advanced mentor training with MUSC to ensure equitable mentoring across all of our sites.

Why MUSC?

MUSC has a rich 40+ year history of educating physical therapists at the entry- and post-professional levels. Our academic and clinical faculty have many years of clinical and educational experience in various specialties, holding board certifications in orthopedic, neurological, and pediatric physical therapy.

The MUSC Orthopedic Physical Therapy program is designed as a hybrid program, blending clinical experience, and mentoring with online and in-person didactic work. Throughout the residency, the resident will attend weekly virtual meetings and four intensive weekends in Charleston.

This program is designed to advance your practice and prepare you for the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialist Certification (OCS) Examination.

Accreditation

The MUSC Orthopedic Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) council of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Program Outcomes

The MUSC Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency has had a 100% graduation and retention rate of 18 residents since 2016 with a first-time pass rate of the ABPTS Orthopedic Specialty Examination of 86%.

Graduation and Certification

Residents who successfully complete the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency receive a certificate of completion from MUSC and documentation to apply residency hours towards continuing education certification with the state of South Carolina. Graduates are eligible to take the orthopedics specialist certification examination administered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) and should apply for the examination while they are participating in the residency.