PH1: Preparing Student Physical Therapists for Success in Pelvic Health Practice
Build Confidence Before Your Pelvic Health Clinical Rotation
A Recognized Foundation Across the Profession
Learn pelvic health from the national professional association for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants specializing in pelvic health.
Many employers, clinical affiliation sites, mentors, and experienced clinicians view PH1 as a valuable starting point for individuals entering the pelvic health specialty. In some settings, PH1 may be required, preferred, or strongly encouraged before beginning a pelvic health clinical rotation, onboarding into a pelvic health position, or pursuing advanced mentorship opportunities.
Preparing for a pelvic health clinical rotation can be exciting—and intimidating.
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Level 1 (PH1) is the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy’s foundational course designed to help student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants enter clinical experiences with greater confidence, knowledge, and readiness to learn. Through evidence-based instruction in pelvic floor anatomy, common diagnoses, examination principles, and treatment approaches, students gain a strong understanding of the terminology and clinical reasoning used in pelvic health practice. PH1 can help you feel more prepared for pelvic health clinical rotations while also demonstrating initiative when pursuing clinical affiliations, mentorship opportunities, residencies, and future employment.
As the first course in the Academy's Certificate of Advanced Practice in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) pathway, PH1 offers students access to the profession's same comprehensive curriculum that has helped thousands of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants develop specialized knowledge and clinical skills and build successful careers in pelvic health. Whether you're preparing for an upcoming clinical affiliation or exploring pelvic health as a future specialty area, PH1 can help you maximize your learning opportunities and build a strong foundation for your future career.
PH1 is an excellent fit for:
- Student PTs and PTAs interested in pelvic health as a future specialty area
- Student PTs preparing to apply to an accredited Pelvic and Women's Health Residency after graduation
- Student PTs preparing for a clinical affiliation that includes pelvic health exposure
- Student PTs and PTAs seeking a stronger foundation in pelvic health before graduation
- Academic programs looking for structured supplemental pelvic health education to recommend to students
- Student PTs and PTAs who want to stand out from their colleagues as they prepare for post-graduate employment in pelvic health.
Why Choose PH1 Through the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy?
Today, there is an abundance of educational opportunities available for individuals interested in pelvic health. While these courses may provide valuable perspectives, the Academy’s PH1 offers something unique.
What Makes the Academy’s PH1 Different?
- Developed by the national professional association for pelvic health physical therapists and physical therapist assistants—a non-profit organization that has been advancing research, clinical practice, education, advocacy, and evidence-based care for nearly 50 years.
- Built around professional standards rather than a single clinician's methodology
- Built through a rigorous collaborative process involving more than 30 subject matter experts serving on Academy-appointed editorial panels. Panels are composed of faculty members, clinicians, researchers, and content reviewers from across the profession.
- Evidence-informed and regularly updated through structured review processes to ensure it reflects current evidence, professional standards, clinical best practices, and the evolving needs of patients and providers.
- Designed to provide best practice foundational knowledge applicable across practice settings
- Serves as the first step in the Academy's Certificate of Advanced Practice in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) pathway
For students, this means learning from a curriculum that has been carefully vetted by leaders throughout the profession and designed to provide a strong, balanced, evidence-based foundation for future clinical practice.
Prepare for Pelvic Health Clinicals with Confidence
PH1 is designed to support student physical therapists entering clinical affiliations that include pelvic health, women's health, men's pelvic health, pregnancy and postpartum care, pelvic pain, and bowel and/or bladder dysfunction.
Through PH1, students gain:
- A clear understanding of pelvic floor anatomy and function
- Exposure to common pelvic health diagnoses across the lifespan
- Introduction to internal and external pelvic floor examination techniques
- Foundational clinical reasoning for pelvic health physical therapy examinations and treatments
- Professional language and terminology used in pelvic health practice
- Understanding of the scope of practice, safety considerations, and patient-centered care
This foundational knowledge helps students enter clinical experiences better prepared to:
- Engage meaningfully in patient care discussions
- Better understand clinical observations and demonstrations
- Ask informed questions during patient encounters
- Connect classroom concepts to real-world clinical practice
- Maximize learning opportunities during their affiliation
Designed to Support—Not Replace—Clinical Education
PH1 is not intended to replace clinical instruction or independent patient care experiences.
Instead, it serves as an educational foundation that helps students better understand what they are seeing in the clinic and how clinical decisions are made.
All hands-on patient care remains under the direction and supervision of the Clinical Instructor and must be consistent with state practice acts, institutional policies, and academic program requirements.
Flexible Learning Options
The Academy offers PH1 in two formats to accommodate different learning preferences and scheduling needs.
Option 1: PH1 Combined
The PH1 Combined course includes both lecture and lab instruction delivered in person over a three-day weekend experience. This format allows students to complete all PH1 requirements in a single course.
Learn More About PH1 CombinedOption 2: PH1 Webinar + PH1 Lab
Students may also complete PH1 through two separate courses:
- PH1 Webinar
- PH1 Lab
This option provides greater scheduling flexibility and may make travel planning easier for some learners. Both components must be completed to fulfill PH1 requirements.
Learn More About the PH1 Webinar
Start Building Your Pelvic Health Career Early
PH1 is more than preparation for a pelvic health clinical rotation—it is the first step in the Academy's Certificate of Advanced Practice in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) pathway.
While the CAPP-Pelvic certificate is designed for licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who have completed the required coursework and clinical experience, students can begin building their foundation early through PH1.
By completing PH1 as a student, you'll gain exposure to the same foundational concepts and clinical frameworks that support progressive learning throughout the CAPP-Pelvic pathway.
- Better understand pelvic health patient populations
- Participate more confidently during clinical affiliations
- Identify future areas of professional interest
- Build a strong educational foundation before entering practice
After graduation, licensure, and completion of additional pathway requirements, participants may continue their educational journey toward earning the Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy in Pelvic Health.
Save Hundreds with Student Membership
Did you know that Academy Student Members receive significant discounts on continuing education courses?
Joining the Academy can save you hundreds of dollars on courses like PH1 while also providing access to student member-exclusive resources, student networking opportunities, eligibility for student course scholarships, student volunteer experiences, and educational content.
👉 Learn More About Student MembershipTake the Next Step
What Past PH1 Participants Are Saying
🚀 Build Confidence Before Clinicals
"I walked in feeling intimidated and nervous. I left feeling confident in the skills I learned to bring back to my clinic."
"Great course, amazing instructors and super informative. I feel prepared to start treating pelvic patients on Monday."
"I loved that the physical exam was proctored. I felt more confident as a result. I felt that the whole lab was designed well in that it set participants up for success."
🎓 Student-Friendly Learning Experience
"As a student, I really appreciated the learning experience from this course. All of the teachers were kind and professional..."
"Going into this course as a student, I was nervous on my ability to participate in group activities due to my lack of experience as a practicing physical therapist..."
"I loved being in a room with seasoned clinicians, new graduates, and students. We all were able to come together in a room to share experiences and learn from one another in such a safe environment."
🌟 Inspired to Pursue Pelvic Health
"This was a wonderful course experience and I walked away feeling like I gained a much much better understanding of pelvic health PT... I left each day inspired to come back tomorrow and with an even stronger desire to go into pelvic health as a PT."
"All the instructors were absolutely fabulous!! They are really knowledgeable in their field and they inspired me to continue with my education past PH1."
📚 Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Education
"Content was amazing, exceeded my expectations. I have also previously taken a level 1 course through another company but I felt the Academy's level 1 was much more comprehensive and detailed."
"The Academy’s PH1 has been a game-changer for my practice... the content is relevant, engaging and evidence-based."
"A wonderfully structured course! Between the manual, downloadable powerpoints and online lectures, I was able to walk away with ample information compared to what I came in with."
🏆 Why Learners Choose Academy PH1
"I took a similar entry-level pelvic floor course at another CEU provider and I felt APTA/CAPP blew it out of the water."
"I have taken a level 1 course through another education provider previously, but I felt I got so much more information from the Academy's level 1."
"Wow this course was hands down the best online course I have ever taken. Far exceeded my expectations."
🤝 Safe, Inclusive & Supportive Environment
"The environment was made to be less intimidating to those with maybe higher anxiety going into the course..."
"As a male I appreciated how the instructors prioritized allowing everyone to be comfortable."
"I liked how open and safe the environment felt, especially because of what is expected from this lab."
👐 Hands-On Learning That Sticks
"I loved the extensive time to practice hands-on learning."
"Very comprehensive and offered a lot of tools that were easy to apply. The lab activities were very educational and helpful in my learning, as I value hands-on practice."
"This lab was well structured... It was very helpful for me to have pelvic models available to correlate what I was palpating to what I could see on the model."