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Application Process

A PT student performing a lumbar manipulation

Positions

Up to two candidates are accepted on a competitive basis each year for the Physical Therapy Orthopaedic Residency at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Admission requirements

Prerequisites

To be eligible for the Physical Therapy Orthopaedic Residency, the following requirements must be completed before starting the program and be maintained throughout the residency year. You must:

  • Have current licensure as a physical therapist by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy or anticipated licensure upon graduation from an accredited physical therapy program in the application year. It is strongly recommended that new graduates sit for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) April test date of the residency year (and not the July test date).
  • Comply with Mayo Clinic's physical therapy general employment requirements, which may include a criminal background check and pre- and post-employment drug screening
  • Be a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and an Orthopaedic Academy member

Admission policies

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

  1. U.S. citizens
  2. U.S. nationals
  3. Lawful permanent residents
  4. Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

How to apply

Disability accommodations

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences values diversity and welcomes applicants with disabilities. If you are anticipating or experiencing disability related barriers in accessing this application, please contact Disability Compliance Advisors at rfaccommodations@mayo.edu.

Application timeline

Application deadline Program start date Apply
Dec. 31 August Online application

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received before Dec. 31. The program begins the first Monday in August.

Application instructions

Complete the application process online at the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) website.

Application review

The Physical Therapy Orthopaedic Residency selection committee carefully reviews each application. Applicants are evaluated by the committee based on these criteria:

  • Academic education and degrees obtained
  • Clinical education and mentoring experiences
  • Clinical experience specific to orthopaedic physical therapy
  • Research experience
  • Community service
  • Letters of reference
  • Professional and leadership experience
  • Personal responses to essay questions

Candidates with strong leadership and interpersonal skills and an interest in lifelong learning are preferred.

Interview process

Individuals considered for an acceptance are invited for a virtual interview in February or March.

Interview resources

Acceptance

Candidates will receive acceptance notifications within a few weeks after interviews are completed.