UIC Sports Physical Therapy Residency is accredited by ABPTRFE

The Sports Physical Therapy Residency has been accredited by American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education—becoming the first accredited program in Illinois.

The 13-month, advanced post-professional training program in the Department of Physical Therapy prepares physical therapists to provide specialized care for athletes.

“Becoming accredited indicates that the residency has met and adheres to rigorous standards set by the board to prepare graduate physical therapists with the experiences and skills they need to sit for the sports clinical specialist board exam,” said program director Justin Payette, PT clinical assistant professor and a clinician in the UIC Physical Therapy Faculty Practice.

Residents learn alongside clinical faculty in the PT faculty practice. They also work with the orthopedic physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning professionals who provide care for UIC athletes.

Residents can enroll in one of two tracks leading to a graduate certificate in clinical research or clinical education. They earn 20 graduate credits that can be applied toward a Ph.D.

The program, which began in August 2019, will admit one new student each year through a competitive process that considers applicants from all over the country. The first graduate, Amanda Montbriand ’19 DPT, is now a therapist at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute.