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General Information
The APTA Academy of Education, one of the oldest sections of the American Physical Therapy Association, is committed to advancing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students in their roles as educators in academic, clinical and community settings. The APTA Academy of Education supports excellence in physical therapy education and education research to better meet the needs of patients, families and communities through strategic communication among our members and across professional communities, through continuing professional development and enhanced education research, and through collaborative action within our Association.
The APTA Academy of Education is dedicated to the development of each new generation of physical therapy practitioners, a dynamic cadre of academic educators, and a store of knowledge useful to consumers for enhancing their own musculoskeletal health.
NEW! Connect with the Academy of Educations members via our Edusphere Online Communities!
Academy Merchandise Online Store - Now Open!
Shop for short and long-sleeved tees, polos, pull overs, backpacks, and more!
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Apply for an APTA Academy of Education research grant! Members are eligible to apply for funding to support research that investigates a question of importance to the advancement of physical therapy education (DPT, PTA); research on the education of patients/clients and licensed PTs/PTAs will also be considered.
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Nominate a deserving educator for one of the Academy's many awards! Awards honor outstanding PT, PTA, Clinical and Residency/Fellowship educators and researchers as well as recognize service to the Academy and the profession as a whole. |
Learn More and Apply |
Learn More and Apply |
Hone Your Leadership Skills at the Academy!
The Academy of Education is seeking energetic and dynamic members to serve the Academy in leadership positions. Nominate yourself or someone you think would be a great leader by November 1.
Learn More!
Upcoming Events
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New physical therapy faculty learn to create a professional development plan, design instructional activities and assessment methods, facilitate their professional growth and cultivate a network of academic colleagues among workshop participants and facilitators in this popular workshop. ♦ Add your name to the interest form to stay up to date with the latest information on the PTFDW Workshop.
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The primary goal of the annual ELC conference is to foster excitement, education, and invigorating discussions among all stakeholders invested in physical therapy education. ♦ Add your name to the interest form to stay up to date with the latest information on ELC 2026.
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Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership (FHEL) |
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Applications Open from October through March!FHEL provides current and aspiring directors in physical therapy education programs with the skills and resources they need to be innovative, influential, and visionary leaders who can function within a rapidly evolving, politico-sociocultural environment. The award-winning fellowship was first accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) in 2012 and reaccredited in 2017 through 2027. With over 160 alumni, the FHEL recently welcomed its 14th cohort for 2025-2026. Applications and nominations for the 52-week fellowship program are now open. Accepted candidates will begin the fellowship in July and take part in three trimesters of coursework, a mentorship program, and a leadership project. |
Launching in 2026!Transform your impact as a physical therapy educator with the APTA Academy of Education's Excellence in Education Certificate (EEC)Program! Designed for aspiring, novice, and developing educators and/or clinicians, EEC will help you:
♦ Add your name to the interest form to stay up to date with the latest information on the EEC program.
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Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) 2026 |
Learn More and Register |
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Special Interest Groups (SIG) |
Phi Tau Alpha Honor Society |
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Members of the Academy formed seven areas of focused interest. Each special interest group (SIG) has its own governance, activities, and annual programming. The SIGs are each supported in part by funds from the APTA Academy of Education and are included in Academy of Education dues. If you are an APTA Academy of Education member and would like to join a SIG, select it from the drop-down menu for SIGs found in your profile in your Member Compass. |
The Phi Tau Alpha Honor Society recognizes physical therapist assistant students who have not only demonstrated high academic standards, but have embodied the core values of the physical therapy profession. Students meeting the requirements outlined below should contact their program faculty to determine the next steps for applying for possible induction into the honor society. Due dates for applications each year are as follows: March 1, June 1, October 1 |
- Institutions will determine when students can apply for the PTA honor society at their individual institutions. It is recommended that this be after a full-time clinical experience to allow for clinical partners to participate in the recommendation process.
- Applicants will retrieve all required forms from the APTA Academy of Education website and then will submit all required forms to their institutional selection committee.
- Each institution will be responsible for nominating, reviewing, selecting, and honoring inductees. To nominate students to the honor society, at least one faculty member of the institution must be a current member of the APTA Academy of Education.
- Institutions shall either create a specific internal committee, or utilize a current selection committee, to receive and review all applications for the PTA National Honor Society. Institutions are encouraged to utilize the PTA Honor Society applicant checklist in their selection process to ensure consistency of selecting candidates.
- Each institution is responsible for screening and ensuring that all applicants have completed all items in each category of the application checklist.
- Each institution may notify the inductees in whatever manner deemed appropriate.
- The faculty member (holding a current membership to the APTA Academy of Education) will submit the names of the students to be inducted into the APTA Academy of Education PTA Honor Society. To do this, please complete a submission form for each student who the faculty member determines meets the minimum requirements. To coincide with graduations, due dates for applications each year are as follows:
- March 1
- June 1
- October
Membership |
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Interested in Membership?We welcome you to join us! With more than 3,500 current members, APTA Academy of Education is one of the largest specialty sections of APTA and is committed to meeting the needs of all persons concerned with the progress, growth and development of education in physical therapy. Membership rates for the Academy.  |
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