Admission Requirements

To apply to the University of Missouri Health Care Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program, you must meet the following application requirements: Meet all requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist at MU Health Care Successfully completed a CAPTE-accredited professional physical therapy curriculum or have had a state physical therapy board approve the applicant’s first post-professional physical therapy program as “equivalent” to a U.S. CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program Provide a copy of a current and valid license to practice physical therapy in Missouri or a state that is part of the PT Compact. This license must be in good standing Current CPR certification Submit curriculum vitae or resume Submit official PT school transcripts Submit three letters of recommendation Complete short answer questions on why the applicant is pursuing an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Intend to become an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopaedic section within one month of the residency start date Intend to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Orthopaedic Physical Therapist

The University of Missouri Health Care Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency enrolls two residents per year. To apply please visit the RFPTCAS website. Applications for the 2027-2028 cohort will be accepted from October 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Interviews for the 2027-2028 cohort will be scheduled in March 2027. *New graduates should plan to take their board examinations in April to meet the admission requirements listed above.

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Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency

Elevate your practice in orthopaedic physical therapy.

Our program’s mission is to inspire passion and innovation so together, we can elevate our impact on patients, the profression and the healthcare system.

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ABPTRFE Accredited Program

The University of Missouri Health Care Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in orthopaedics.

About the Residency

The residency is a 12 month, 2 week program beginning each July. Residents complete two 27-week rotations at the Mizzou Therapy Services location within the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and on Forum Boulevard. Both sites are within driving distance of the program's central location.
Each week, residents spend approximately 32 hours providing clinical care outside of mentoring sessions, three to four hours working with clinical faculty in mentoring sessions and three hours attending in-person didactic sessions. Residents should plan for additional time for required readings, self-study, projects, specialty presentations and physician and surgical observation.
The position is salaried and eligible for benefits. Learn more about benefits.
For additional program details, including participant costs, visit the ABPTRFE Directory of Programs

Exceptional Outcomes

ABPTS Orthopaedic Exam Pass Rate: Eligible for Testing 2027

Educational Experiences

Advanced Didactic Learning

Strengthen your orthopaedic expertise through advanced coursework designed to deepen clinical reasoning and prepare you for orthopaedic clinical specialist (OCS) certification.

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Surgical Shadowing

See orthopaedic care from every angle through specialty clinic and surgical observations across upper extremity, sports medicine, foot and ankle, adult reconstruction and spine.

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Research and Academic Development

Contribute to the profession through case presentations and a faculty-mentored academic project designed for conference or journal submission.

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Teaching and Leadership

Develop the confidence to educate others by teaching clinicians, faculty and Doctor of Physical Therapy students.

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Specialty Clinical Experiences

Expand your skills through exposure to specialty practice areas, including hand therapy, return-to-sport evaluations, motion analysis, Pilates, aquatic therapy and other advanced orthopaedic services.

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Community Engagement

Give back while growing professionally by completing 20 hours of community service that promotes musculoskeletal health.

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To apply to the University of Missouri Health Care Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program, you must meet the following application requirements:

Meet all requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist at MU Health Care
Successfully completed a CAPTE-accredited professional physical therapy curriculum or have had a state physical therapy board approve the applicant’s first post-professional physical therapy program as “equivalent” to a U.S. CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
Provide a copy of a current and valid license to practice physical therapy in Missouri or a state that is part of the PT Compact. This license must be in good standing
Current CPR certification
Submit curriculum vitae or resume
Submit official PT school transcripts
Submit three letters of recommendation
Complete short answer questions on why the applicant is pursuing an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency
Intend to become an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopaedic section within one month of the residency start date
Intend to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Orthopaedic Physical Therapist

The University of Missouri Health Care Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency enrolls two residents per year. To apply please visit the RFPTCAS website.

Applications for the 2027-2028 cohort will be accepted from October 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
Interviews for the 2027-2028 cohort will be scheduled in March 2027.
*New graduates should plan to take their board examinations in April to meet the admission requirements listed above.

For more information, contact Program Director Laura Korte, PT, DPT, MHA or Program Coordinator Lindsey Colbert, PT, DPT, by email at umhsorthoptresidency@health.missouri.edu or by calling 573-884-0655.