Northwestern University Sports Division 1 Fellowship

The Northwestern University Sports Division 1 Fellowship is a training ground and model for the specialized practice of sports physical therapy at the division I 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 will consist of didactic and clinical educational curriculum that will prepare the fellow to practice with a sub-specialty in Sports Physical Therapy at the Division I 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 Division I 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 December 31, 2024 with an anticipated start date of July 2025. Applicants may apply through RF-PTCAS. The current cycle opens on October 1. Please include:

• Letter of intent
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of recommendation

 

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%

 

Sean Giroir PT, DPT

 

Dr. Sean Giroir 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. Dr. 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. 

For more information, please contact Program Director Dr. Carol A. Courtney at carol.courtney@northwestern.edu.