Residency FAQs
Who is the residency program for?
The UD PT Residency Programs are well suited for both recent graduates of a physical therapy program and/or clinicians wishing to further their knowledge in Sports, Orthopedics, or Geriatrics.
How many hours does the resident treat in the University of Delaware PT Clinic?
Residents should expect to treat in the clinic anywhere from 20-25 hours per week depending on the resident’s schedule for that week.
How often does the resident receive direct mentoring from senior therapists?
Senior therapists continuously mentor residents throughout the year. Residents and their mentors have weekly meetings, chart review sessions, and work together for hands on teaching in the clinic at least 3 hours per week.
How many hours does the resident spend teaching in the DPT program?
Teaching hours vary depending on which class the resident is teaching, however, teaching commitments may range between 4-16 hours per week depending on the semester. Teaching responsibilities are regulated to the position of teaching assistant, and generally require hands on assistance in labs, setting up the equipment for the class, and may involve 1 or 2 lectures.
How many hours does the resident spend shadowing physicians?
Residents spend around 4-12 hours per week shadowing physicians during office hours and surgeries.
Does the UD PT Department offer a transitional DPT program?
The UD PT Department greatly encourages PTs to further their education, however, we do not offer a transitional DPT.
Do the UD PT Residency Programs offer weekend and evening options for working PTs?
While the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Department appreciates the efforts of many working physical therapists to advance the quality and knowledge of their careers for both patient and professional benefits, we are only able to offer our residency programs as a fulltime experience. The time required for completing the residency does not provide the ability to hold another part-time or full-time position.
How many applications do the residency programs receive with each application cycle?
The number of applications received by the UD PT Residency Programs varies between 10-20 each cycle.
How many residents are accepted each year?
Both the Orthopedic and Sports PT Residencies oversee 2-6 residents each calendar year, however, both programs start 1-3 residents in January and the others in May. The application deadlines are coordinated with the starting date – January or May- that the applicant wishes to begin his or her course of study.
Who is eligible to apply to the UD PT Residency Programs?
Applicants finishing their degree in Physical Therapy from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program are encouraged to apply as well as anyone who is licensed in the US and has an interest in one of the specialties offered by the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Residency Program. By the time their course of study begins, applicants must have already graduated from an accredited physical therapy program and, if they are a recent graduate, have their PT Board Examination completed within the first 2 weeks of starting the residency. You must be eligible for Delaware licensure. If an applicant is already licensed in Delaware, a copy of his or her Delaware Physical Therapy License must be included in the application materials.
Applicants receiving their education outside the U.S. must have their education credentials reviewed and approved by the State of Delaware licensure board. The requirement applies even if the applicant has received a Transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from a U.S. physical therapy program. Please refer to Official State of Delaware website for procedural information. Potential applicants may apply once declared eligible for full DE licensure.
The State of Delaware can be contacted by phone at (302)739-4522. They can also be contacted via e-mail at: customerservice.dpr@state.de.us
Does the UD PT Residency Program require any specific continuing education course work (i.e. mobilizations, McKenzie, etc.) or specific clinical and/or didactic learning experiences to apply to the program?
All residents are required to have malpractice insurance and APTA membership. Sports residents are required to have First Emergency Responder certification. The UD PT Residency Programs do not require specific continuing education coursework or learning experiences. Our only educational requirement is that the applicant has a degree in Physical Therapy from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
Which transcripts from my previous education will I need to include in my application materials?
Transcripts from one’s post-graduate Physical Therapy degree should be included in the application materials.
How many letters of recommendation do the UD PT Residency Programs require?
The UDPT Residency Programs require that the applicant submit three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members, physical therapists, and/or physicians with whom the applicant has worked closely.
What are the deadlines for application materials?
Please refer to the residency information page for all deadlines (listed under “more info” for each residency type).
How much does the residency position pay?
The residency position pays $48,000 plus benefits. Please refer to the UD Benefits Page for questions regarding benefits.
What does the UD PT Residency Program cost?
The residency programs are paid positions with benefits (see UD Benefits Page). Residents will incur regular living expenses during their time in the program, as well as some travel expenses for one national conference.
Do acquired resident hours count toward time required to take both the SCS and OCS?
Acquired resident hours count toward the APTA’s time requirements to take the OCS, SCS, and GCS exams. One year of residency in the UD PT Program will suffice the requirements for the exam (SCS, OCS, or GCS) matched to the specialty area you have practiced (Sports, Orthopedic, or Geriatric).
Can residents choose a specialty area of study?
The University of Delaware Orthopedic and Sports Residency Programs are designed to expose residents to a majority of specialties within the realm of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. Outside physical therapy experiences are scheduled to expose our residents to specialties that are not commonly seen in our clinic.
- UD Orthopedic PT residents will rotate through multiple specialties as outlined on the “Sample Sports Residency Calendar and Curriculum”.
- UD Sports PT residents will be exposed to a variety of sports related topics (injury specific protocols, prevention strategies for sport-specific athletes, etc). “Sample Orthopedic Residency Calendar and Curriculum”.
- UD Geriatric PT residentswill rotate through multiple specialties as outlined on the “Sample Geriatric Residency Calendar and Curriculum”
Are fees such as continuing education courses, certifications, and national conferences covered by the UD PT Program?
Each UD PT Resident receives $1000 of continuing education money for which he or she can apply to conferences and continuing education experiences.
Am I able to work part-time?
Past and present residents will offer that spare time is precious to our busy residents and would discourage holding a job outside of the paid residency program.