Northwestern University Sports Division I Fellowship

The Northwestern University Sports Division I Fellowship is a training ground and model for the specialized practice of sports physical therapy at the Division I (DI) collegiate athletics level in the 21st century. Our goal is to foster an ability-driven, outcomes-based professional culture committed to the integration of science-based clinical reasoning and clinical care, and to lifelong learning and research. The fellowship consists of didactic and clinical educational curriculum that will prepare the fellow to practice with a sub-specialty in sports physical therapy at the DI level of collegiate athletics. The program is 12 months in duration.

Northwestern University Athletics has 19 varsity sports as a part of the Big Ten and Football Bowl Subdivision. The fellow will work directly with DI athletes at Northwestern Athletics as part of the Northwestern Sports Medicine team.

In a typical week, the fellow will spend time in the following:

Patient care
1:1 clinical mentoring with board-certified clinical specialists
Venue/practice coverage and rehabilitation with DI athletes at Northwestern
Research experience in the NUPTHMS Athletic Movement Performance Lab
Planned educational curriculum based upon the Practice Analysis for DI sports
Observation with sports medicine physicians
Practicum in PT Education within the NUPTHMS musculoskeletal curriculum

Admissions Criteria

Physical therapy degree from a CAPTE accredited physical therapy educational program
Unofficial DPT transcript
Licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of Illinois
Active member of the APTA
Possess either an ABPTS specialist certification in Sports or related area of specialty and/or completion of an ABPTRFE accredited residency in sports prior to the start of the fellowship
Display professional behaviors and a strong interest in sports physical therapy at the DI level
Possess one of the following:
- Current certified athletic trainer (ATC) designation.
- Current license as an EMT.
- Certification as an Emergency Medical Responder via an American Red Cross course prior to the start of the fellowship.

Application Process

Application due by Dec. 31 with an anticipated start date of July 2026. Applicants may apply through RF-PTCAS. The current cycle opens on Oct. 1. Please include:

Letter of intent
Curriculum Vitae
Three letters of recommendation

Access the financial fact sheet.

Program Details

How to Apply

Applicants will meet minimum criteria as described below:

The applicant must hold a license to practice physical therapy in the state where their clinical mentorship will occur at the time of matriculation into the program. Applicants who are licensed in another state or country may apply to the program but may not begin the program until the required license is received.
The applicant must supply evidence of one year of practice in the area of orthopaedic physical therapy (at least 2000 hours).
The applicant must have completed additional study in the area of orthopaedic physical therapy as evidenced by: certification as a specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties or completion of an orthopaedic or sports physical therapy residency program.
The applicant must submit two recommendations for the program from individuals with direct contemporaneous knowledge of the candidate’s clinical knowledge and skills.
The applicant must provide a transcript of their physical therapy education.
The student may provide GRE scores (optional).
Each applicant must submit a nonrefundable application processing fee, payable to Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science.

To apply, please send curriculum vitae, transcripts, letters of recommendation, $120 processing fee and cover letter. Cover letter should address how their past experience has prepared them for this type of educational program. Interviews will be conducted either by phone or in person.

Send application materials to Carol Courtney, PT, PhD at carol.courtney@northwestern.edu or at the address below:

Carol Courtney
Northwestern University
Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences
645 N. Michigan Ave., Room 1121
Chicago, IL 60611

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science members and representatives from clinical sites. The applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Academic education
Clinical education and mentoring experiences
Clinical experience in orthopedic physical therapy
Research experience

The application deadline is March 1, and applicants will be notified of their admission status by April 15.

Northwestern University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation and disability or health status.

Credentialing

We are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE).

Upon successful completion of a credentialed fellowship program, students can apply to be recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

Fellowship Program Structure Information

Program Type: Hybrid
Program Format: Full-time
Program Length: 12 months
Program Tuition: $9,995/year

Contact Us

For more information, please contact program director Carol Courtney at carol.courtney@northwestern.edu, and program coordinator Amy Robinson at amy.robinson@northwestern.edu.

Outcomes

D1 Sports Fellowship Outcomes
Northwestern University Division 1 Sports Fellowship Outcomes
	Cohort #1	Cohort #2	Cohort #3	Cohort #4	Cohort #5	Cohort #6	Cohort #7
	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29	2029-30
# of fellows admitted	1	1
# of fellows graduated	1
% who graduated	100%

Current Fellow

Sean Giroir, PT, DPT, is a graduate of the University of St. Mary Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Leavenworth KS. He recently completed a residency in sports physical therapy at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City NY.

Giroir’s clinical training is split between Northwestern Medicine in Evanston and Sports Medicine at Northwestern University, and his teaching practicum site is at Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.