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The mission of the Nova Southeastern University PT Faculty Residency Program is to develop competent educators who become skilled members of academia. Graduates of this 18-month residency gain proficiency in teaching, service, governance, and research—the four pillars of a successful physical therapy teaching position.
Residents receive structured, individualized, and flexible mentoring from a physical therapy faculty member as they progress through the curriculum. These sessions are delivered in both face-to-face and hybrid formats, allowing residents to continue working full-time while in the program. All elements of the curriculum are customizable to meet the resident’s career goals.
NSU's Faculty Residency Program has been accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education as a post-professional non-clinical residency program since 2019 and was reaccredited in 2024.
Why a Faculty Residency?
Experienced physical therapy clinicians who have a passion for teaching may find an academic position intimidating. There is a significant need for new faculty members to share their talent with the next generation of physical therapy students. The NSU faculty residency offers clinicians a mentored environment in which they can develop their ability to be effective educators. Highlights of joining the faculty residency program include:
- Mentoring and practice in teaching face-to-face and blended or hybrid formats.
- Course construction; building content, scaffolding, and sequencing learning activities.
- Designing course assignments that are meaningful and valuable to today’s learners.
- Exam writing and exam content analysis to gauge course outcomes.
- Scholarship opportunities to design a research agenda.
- Leadership opportunities allowing for practice with conflict management, shared decision-making, and collaboration among various teams.
These highlights will make the faculty resident a desirable candidate for a position in a physical therapy program.
Please review the American Board of Physical therapy Residency and Fellowship Education Description of Residency Practice (PDF).
The tuition for the Faculty Residency Program is $5,000, in the following increments:
- $1250.00 upon acceptance to the Program
- $1250.00 prior to Semester II
- $1250.00 prior to Semester III
- $1250.00 prior to Semester IV
Additional costs may be associated with textbooks and other study materials.
Resident is responsible for travel costs associated with on-campus hours (Tampa or Fort Lauderdale).
Resident should have regular access to a computer/tablet with hardware and software which can support completion of the Program requirements.
View the ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet for all costs associated with NSU's Neurologic Residency program.
Major content areas include:
Teaching: educational theory, curriculum design, instructional delivery, student assessment
Scholarship: research design, grant writing, policies and regulation of research, dissemination
Service: faculty roles, types of service, committee work, influence of service on teaching/learning
Governance: classification and structure of academic institutions, promotion, accreditation, academic
legal and ethical issues, collaboration, advisement
Semester I (Winter)
- Art & Science of Teaching & Learning
- Blended Learning
- Mentorship & Practice I
Semester II (Summer)
- Step into Scholarship
- NSU Grant Education
- IRB Training
- Mentorship & Practice II
Semester III (Fall)
- Leadership & Management
- Mentorship & Practice III
Semester IV (Winter)
- Conflict Prevention & Management
- Mentorship & Practice IV
Minimum Requirements
- U.S. Physical Therapy license (current/valid)
- Evidence of a desire to teach DPT Students
Preferred Attributes
- Current member of the APTA
- Exhibit leadership qualities, effective communication skills and evidence of motivation, accountability and self-directed behavior
- Display strong written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrate experience and/or interest in conducting research (e.g., case reports, faculty guided research, data collection, data analysis, attending journal club/grand rounds, etc.)
- Experience as a clinical instructor, adjunct instructor, or other teaching roles.
|
Year |
Graduation Rate |
Rate of Employment as Faculty in CAPTE accredited DPT or PTA program post-graduation |
1 Year Post-Graduation Special Accomplishments (scholarship, governance, teaching, service) |
|
2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2023 |
100% |
100% |
Publications in refereed journals- 3 |
|
2022 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
100% |
100% |
Publications in refereed journals- 2 |
|
2020 |
100% |
100% |
Professional presentations (National) – 2 |
Terry Larson, PT, DPT
Terry Larson, PT, DPT, obtained a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2004 from the University of South Florida, and in 2008, she earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine.
Currently, Terry is in the dissertation phase of a Doctorate in Education specializing in Instructional Technology, in which she is exploring the effectiveness of flipped learning for physical therapist assistant students. Clinical experience includes nineteen years as a physical therapist in various clinical settings, such as outpatient, acute care, and pelvic health. Her primary areas of concentration are outpatient orthopedics and pelvic health.
Academically, Dr. Larson's experience includes six years as the Director of Clinical Education and two years as the Program Director at the physical therapist assistant level. In addition, she is an associate faculty member of the DPT Programs at Bowling Green State University, Hanover College, and Augustana University. Terry has also served as the Assistant Director of Clinical Education for the DPT program at the Tampa Campus since July 2023.
Sheila Madden, PT, DPT, PCS
Sheila Madden, PT, DPT, PCS, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota DPT program in 2008. As a military spouse, she has gained extensive experience in pediatric physical therapy across different locations in the United States. Currently residing in Hawai'i on the island of O'ahu, she is a board-certified pediatric clinical specialist and practices at a pediatric outpatient play-based clinic.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Madden is an adjunct faculty member at Hawai'i Pacific University's DPT program. She actively contributes to the professional community as a member of the APTA PCS Prep Committee and serves as a faculty member for the APTA Pediatric Certified Specialist (PCS) Exam Preparation Course.
Dr. Madden's passion for pediatric physical therapy and teaching extends beyond her clinical and academic roles. She hosts the podcast 'Pushing Pediatrics,' where she educates and engages listeners on various topics including preparing for the PCS exam and all things related to pediatric physical therapy.
Mitchell Tanner, PT, DPT, CSCS
Mitchell Tanner, PT, DPT, CSCS, is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina DPT program, class of 2022. Driven by a passion for teaching and mentorship, Dr. Tanner brings a diverse background in physical therapy, sports performance, and education to his academic endeavors.
Clinically, Dr. Tanner has worked in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation, supporting athletes from high school to the professional level. He has also collaborated with the University of South Carolina’s sport science department, conducting biomechanical assessments and applying evidence-based strategies to optimize athletic performance.
In the education sector, Dr. Tanner develops and delivers certification preparatory courses, including the CSCS and NASM CPT, honing his ability to simplify complex concepts and engage diverse learners. As the owner of Mitchell Tanner Coaching and Consulting, he provides remote coaching services designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance
Ryan Monti, PT, DPT, SCS
2023 Alumni
Amanda Pipkin, PT, DPT, SCS
2023 Alumni
Stacy K. Campbell, PT, MPH
2021 Alumni
Amie Rosenfeld, PT
2021 Alumni
Megan Kim, PT, DPT, ATC
2020 Alumni
Stephanie Eton, PT, DPT
2020 Alumni
The NSU Faculty Residency is fully accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residencies and Fellowships (ABPTRFE) as a non-clinical residency program.
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Nova Southeastern University Post-Professional Physical Therapy Residency Programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations including non-discrimination, privacy, confidentiality policies, and equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. NSU admits residents of any race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, nondisqualifying disability, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, military service, veteran status, political beliefs or affiliations.