What is the Academy of Physical Therapy Education?
The Academy of Physical Therapy Education, one of the oldest of the American Physical Therapy Association, 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. The Academy serves as a point of contact for those interested in patient and professional education, and a mechanism for networking and professional development. The operative philosophies that support the entire Academy of Physical Therapy Education involve a commitment to excellence in education, scholarship about education and leadership within the profession that relies so heavily on the teaching and learning process to support and maintain health.
The Academy of Physical Therapy Education is committed to meeting the needs of all persons concerned with the progress, growth and development of education in physical therapy. Academy members recognize that education in physical therapy is a multi-faceted process including didactic and clinical components which are implemented in a variety of learning environments. In some way, every physical therapists and physical therapist assistant is engaged in education: with patients, clients, and families, with students and colleagues, and with their own professional development. It is the purpose of the Academy of Physical Therapy Education to support these educational efforts through communication among our members and with our professional community, through action within our Association and in our educational environments, and through investigation and scholarship related to education in physical therapy.
Special Interest Groups
The various educational interests within the Academy of Physical Therapy Education have produced three areas of intense activity. Each special interest group (SIG) has established its own governance, activities and annual programming. The SIGs are each supported in part by funds from the Academy of Physical Therapy Education, and are complimentary to Academy of Physical Therapy Education members.
The Academic Faculty Special Interest Group (AFSIG) serves as a forum for sharing and exchanging information about faculty matters and as an advocacy group for academic faculty in addressing issues of concern in physical therapy education. As the Academy's newest special interest group, the AFSIG has generated excitement among academic faculty from different content backgrounds to come together over issues of teaching, scholarship and service.
The Clinical Education Special Interest Group (CESIG) serves as a resource and forum for individuals who have a professional concern for the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of clinical education for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The CESIG has created a significant and lasting relationship between members of academic programs and clinical facilities in addressing needs of clinical education from both of these perspectives.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Educators Special Interest Group (PTAESIG) serves as a resource and forum for individuals who have an interest in physical therapist assistant education. The PTAESIG provides a vehicle for increasing and improving the communication among educators in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs. Through this increased communication, the PTAESIG has promoted continuing education for PTA faculty in areas pertinent to their teaching responsibilities.
Partner Program
Are You Ready to Be Connected?
The Academy of Physical Therapy Education (APTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is seeking to partner with educators outside the United States and other professionals within the US who do not qualify for APTA membership. With more than 3,000 current members, APTE is one of the largest specialty sections of APTA. APTE is committed to meeting the needs of all persons concerned with the progress, growth and development of education in physical therapy. Section members recognize that education in physical therapy is a multi-faceted process including didactic and clinical components which are implemented in a variety of learning environments. This makes the Interprofessional Partners Program of APTE the ideal choice for professional physical therapy educators.