Physical Therapy >> Post-Professional Programs

Thank you for your interest in the post-professional education opportunities for physical therapists at Mercer University. The post-professional program intends to offer a variety of residencies, fellowships, and continuing education opportunities for the licensed physical therapist.  Currently, residencies in orthopaedic physical therapy and neurologic physical therapy are offered.

Please visit the APTA for more information on post-professional education. Brief descriptions of a physical therapy residency and fellowship provided by the APTA follow:

A physical therapy residency is a planned program of post-professional clinical education that is designed to advance significantly the physical therapist's preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice. Scott Ward, PT, PhD, and President of the APTA states, “Future physical therapy practice reinforces the need for standardization. Post-professional clinical residency programs are one of the primary means of positioning physical therapists for the practice needs of the future. We need physical therapists who demonstrate superior post-professional clinical skills, advanced knowledge in an area of clinical practice, and the ability to function as consultants, advocates, and educators for their peers and patients.”

A physical therapy fellowship is a post-professional, funded, and planned learning experience in a focused area of physical therapist clinical practice, education, or research (not infrequently post-doctoral, post-residency prepared, or board-certified physical therapists).

If you have any questions about the post-professional programs, please contact us at postprofPT@mercer.edu.

Joe Donnelly, PT, DHS, OCS
Director of Post-Professional Education
Department of Physical Therapy
Mercer University