The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) has announced a significant update to its 2024 Standards and Required Elements (SREs), marking a key milestone for academic physical therapy and the future of faculty development.
In a move that highlights the importance of advanced educator training, CAPTE will now count graduates of ABPTRFE-accredited faculty residencies toward the 10% allowance under the longstanding “50:50 rule.” Previously, this provision only applied to faculty members actively pursuing a terminal academic degree. This change shows CAPTE’s acknowledgment of the rigorous preparation and educational expertise gained through faculty residency programs.
Even more notably, CAPTE has recognized Faculty Residency graduates as eligible to serve as Program Directors for PTA programs, broadening leadership opportunities for residency-trained educators.
“This is a proud moment for the physical therapy education community,” said Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD, associate professor and director of the Duke Faculty Residency Program. “It’s a testament to the quality of training our residents receive and the impact they’re making in DPT and PTA programs nationwide.”
Duke DPT has a 10-year history of training physical therapist educators through its ABPTRFE-accredited Faculty Residency Program. In recent years, Duke has expanded its reach by partnering with other DPT programs across the country. Through this innovative model, Duke faculty residents are embedded within programs at Northeastern University, Hawaii Pacific University, Sacred Heart University, and Thomas Jefferson University, completing the two-year residency while contributing to academic excellence at their host institutions. These partnerships reflect Duke’s commitment to expanding the pipeline of highly trained PT academicians and fostering collaborative growth in physical therapy education.
This is an exciting opportunity for aspiring educators to join a nationally recognized program and become part of a growing movement shaping the future of physical therapy education.
Applications for the next cycle of Duke’s Faculty Residency Program will open on October 15.
Click here to learn more about the Duke Faculty Residency Program and the application process.