USOPC Sports Medicine Fellowships
The USOPC sports medicine department offers fellowship opportunities in the areas of athletic training, physical therapy, and psychological services.
USOPC sports medicine is proud to offer fellowship positions for qualified athletic trainers, physical therapists and mental health providers. These 12-month, immersive programs offer licensed professionals the unique opportunity to support Team USA while developing the skills, experience and knowledge in preparation for employment in elite-level athletics.
I credit the fellowship to developing the skills I need for a career in elite sports medicine, ultimately leading to my career with Team USA. This program offers in-depth, empowering learning experiences and unmatched opportunities to support elite-level athletes.
- Master’s degree in athletic training
- Two (2) years of clinical experience with a minimum of 1 year of clinical experience in sports medicine after licensure
- Current Health Care Provider CPR (further emergency medical training preferred)
- Manual therapy experience
Responsibilities
- Complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of sports medicine clinical practice
- Complete a minimum of 400 hours of sports coverage at athletic venues
- Complete a minimum of 100 mentored hours, one-on-one with a sports medicine interdisciplinary staff member
- Participate in a minimum of 200 hours of planned educational experiences 100 hours
Curriculum Overview
- Rehabilitation and clinical care for Team USA athletes
- Practice coverage for Team USA athletes
- Direct 1:1 clinical mentoring in sports medicine services
- Research opportunities
- Bi-weekly interdisciplinary sports medicine educational lecture series
- Quarterly journal clubs
- Didactic programming
- Chief Medical Officer clinic observation
- Procedural Observation (i.e. corticosteroid injections, PRP
For additional insight into the fellowship curriculum for the AT and PT fellowships, view the proposed educational units.
Application Requirements
- Cover letter (pdf or word)
- Resume or CV (pdf or word)
- 3 letters of recommendation – at least 2 must be from clinicians in the sports medicine field
Application Timeline
Applications will open for the USOPC athletic training fellowship in early 2026. Please check back for additional information to be posted.
Option A
- Minimum of 1 year of clinical experience in sports medicine after licensure
- Completion of a ABPTS Sports Physical Therapy or Orthopedic Physical Therapy Fellowship
- Dual credential in athletic training OR emergency medical response for the athlete (ERA) training
- Current Health Care Provider CPR
Option B
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in sports medicine after licensure
- ABPTS Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) or Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Dual credential in athletic training OR emergency medical response for the athlete (ERA) training
- Current Health Care Provider CPR
Responsibilities
- Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of sports medicine clinical practice
- Complete a minimum of 200 hours of sports coverage at athletic venues
- Complete a minimum of 100 mentored hours, one-on-one with a sports medicine interdisciplinary staff member
- Participate in a minimum of 200 hours of planned educational experiences
Curriculum Overview
- Rehabilitation and clinical care for Team USA athletes
- Practice coverage for Team USA athletes
- Direct 1:1 clinical mentoring in sports medicine services
- Research opportunities
- Bi-weekly interdisciplinary sports medicine educational lecture series
- Quarterly journal clubs
- Didactic programming
- Chief Medical Officer clinic observation
- Procedural Observation (i.e. corticosteroid injections, PRP
For additional insight into the fellowship curriculum for the AT and PT fellowships, view the proposed educational units.
Application Requirements
- Cover letter (pdf or word)
- Resume or CV (pdf or word)
- 3 letters of recommendation – at least 2 must be from clinicians in the sports medicine field
Application Timeline
Applications will open for the USOPC physical therapy fellowship in early 2026. Please check back for additional information to be posted.
- Ph.D/Psy.D in Clinical or Counseling Psychology
- Must be working towards State Licensure as a Psychologist
- Must be working towards or have already obtained the AASP Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) Certification
- Experience working with elite and diverse athlete populations
Overview
- Mental health and mental performance care for Team USA athletes
- Direct 1:1 supervision and peer case consultation
- Research and project opportunities
- Bi-weekly interdisciplinary sports medicine educational lecture series
- Didactic programming
- Potential opportunity to travel and provide psychological support for Team USA
- Hybrid role based out of the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
Application Requirements
- Cover letter (pdf or word)
- Resume or CV (pdf or word)
- 2 letters of recommendation from previous clinical supervisors
Application Timeline
- Applications will open November and close January 4, 2026
- Screening and first round virtual interviews will occur in early to mid January
- Finalists invited to final round, virtual interviews, in late January to early February
- Offer will be extended by mid to late February
Unlike most residency and fellowship programs, this program allows for a 100% case load of athletes that compete for Team USA. This program allows for a fully immersive experience with Team USA that helps prepare clinicians and providers for employment in elite-level athletics. The fellowship allows one to learn from and work side by side with a variety of disciplines within the sports medicine and sport performance field to truly be part of a high-performance team.
PT & AT Fellows
This varies throughout the year based on competition season. Typically, the fellow will provide patient care at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training center approximately 40 hours/week. The work week will include athlete evaluations, rehabilitation, testing, and sideline coverage for practices. The fellows attend formal didactic sessions and have additional learning opportunities as well. Some of these opportunities include formal and informal mentorship by multidisciplinary experts in sports medicine, weekly athlete rounds, journal clubs, procedure observations, and a bi-weekly sports medicine lecture series.
PS Fellow
This varies throughout the year based on competition season. Typically, the fellow will provide care via telehealth and at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (CSOPTC) approximately 40 hours/week. The work week will include psychological assessment, referrals, treatment/interventions and management, and serving as a case manager for psychological referrals. The fellows attend formal didactic sessions, 1:1 supervision, and peer consultation. The fellow will have additional learning opportunities as well. Some of these opportunities include formal and informal mentorship by multidisciplinary experts in sports medicine, weekly athlete rounds, and a bi-weekly sports medicine lecture series.
During the application window, you can apply for the fellowship on USOPC.org/Careers. Within the job posting, you will click 'Apply Now' and continue with submitting the application.
An applicant should demonstrate a strong academic background, excellent work ethic and desire for continued learning. Candidates should have excellent communication skills and desire to be immersed in a collaborative work environment with a wide array of disciplines/specialties. Candidates should have experience working with athletes and a sports medicine team, as well as significant continuing education that indicates interest in the sports medicine field (physical therapy and athletic training fellowships), and/or the clinical, sport, and performance psychology field (psychological services fellowship). They should possess intellectual and social awareness. Applicants should also desire to have a career in elite athletics. Having a passion for the Olympic and Paralympic movements is preferred.
Applicants must be a licensed athletic trainer, physical therapist or psychologist, or working towards state licensure as a psychologist. Unfortunately, international applications are not eligible for this program.
The program accepts one fellow for each area (athletic training, physical therapy, psychological services) annually.
We're very proud of the alumni from our program! Past fellows have gone on to work in a range of elite and professional sports organizations, including:
- American Hockey League
- U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- World Tennis Association