Entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy
About the Profession
Physical therapists evaluate and treat patients with disease, injury, or disabilities. In many states, registered physical therapists work as independent practitioners. The physical therapy techniques are applied to restore strength, flexibility, and coordination, and to reduce pain and generally prepare the patient to function more effectively at work and in activities of daily living. Agents such as heat, light, electricity, water exercise, and massage are used. While working with patients, psychological and sociological principles are used to motivate and instruct.
Within the profession there are many specialties including orthopaedics, neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, hand rehabilitation, and sports physical therapy. Physical therapists work in acute-care and convalescent hospitals, rehabilitation centers, children's centers, private practice, athletic training and sports medicine programs, research institutions, school systems, and home-care agencies.
Job outlook
Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. The impact of proposed federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapists. However, over the long run, the demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for therapy services.
The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. Also, the baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation. Further, young people will need physical therapy as technological advances save the lives of a larger proportion of newborns with severe birth defects.
Future medical developments also should permit a higher percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. In addition, growth may result from advances in medical technology that could permit the treatment of more disabling conditions.
Widespread interest in health promotion also should increase demand for physical therapy services. A growing number of employers are using physical therapists to evaluate work sites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits to employees in the hope of reducing injuries in the workplace.
More information from the Bureau of Labor on Physical Therapy
Earnings
Median annual earnings of physical therapists were $72,790 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $60,300 and $85,540. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,350.
Salaries may vary depending on experience and area of specialization, location, and size of employer.
PHYSICAL THERAPY--Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy
About our program
Our entry-level doctor of physical therapy program (DPT) is designed for individuals who have no previous degree in physical therapy or who have an Associate degree in the field of physical therapy and wish to pursue a doctor of physical therapy degree and professional certification.
Admission to the University follows completion of the prerequisite earned at an accredited college or university. The emphasis in the program is on professional courses, ethics, and practical experience. Additional emphasis is placed on research and specialized clinical affiliations.
The program is three years in length. Loma Linda University utilizes a four quarter system yearly. School breaks are built into the program. This program begins in June once a year.
Our students and graduates are eligible for membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The objective of the association is to foster development and improvement of service and education. This organization grants student membership at a nominal cost. Our students are required to become members of this association while in the program and are encouraged to read the journal and attend the APTA-sponsored meetings.
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Satisfactory completion of the degree requirements and clinical affiliation qualify the student to sit for all state registration examinations.
Information about the state registries of physical therapists can be obtained at the office of the department chair. All states require that a physical therapist pass the national qualifying examination for registration to practice. California application form and fee are submitted to the Physical Therapy Board of California, 1430 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, California 95852.
ACCREDITATION
The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Loma Linda University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; (703) 684-2782. Email: accreditation@apta.org Website: www.capteonline.org
The most recent accreditation status was granted on May 2, 2012 and is in effect through June 30, 2022.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Supervised experience is obtained in a variety of settings and at six different times during the program. In the spring quarter of the first year, students complete one two-week practicum. In the fall quarter of the second year, students complete one three-week practicum, and in the summer quarter of the third year students complete one three-week practicum. During the third year of the program, students complete three 10-12 week affiliations.
All clinical assignments will be made by the academic coordinator of clinical education or a designate. Because of the limited number of local facilities available, assignments cannot be made on the basis of the student's family/marital status or personal preference. Although the department makes an effort to accommodate the student's preference, the student agrees to accept the clinical assignments made by the department at any of the affiliated facilities, whether local or out of state.
CPR Certification
Students are required to have current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for all scheduled clinical experiences for both options.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be qualified to:
1. Clinical Skills: Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and clinical skills appropriate for safe and effective physical therapy practice.
2. Multicultural Competence: Demonstrate compassion and respect during interactions with individuals from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
3. Clinical reasoning: Demonstrate the ability to critically think and integrate evidenced- based practice into their clinical decision making skill set.
4. Professionalism: Demonstrate an awareness and application of the ethical and legal parameters surrounding the profession of physical therapy.
5. Collaborative Care: Demonstrate an understanding of evidenced-based clinical care utilizing collaborative relationships between the patient, physical therapist, and other health-care practitioners.
6. Communication: Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication with instructors, classmates, and clinical personnel as needed to work effectively as a member of the health care team.
Admissions
To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have:
- Minimum GPA of 3.2
- Completed a minimum of 138 quarter/92 semester units at a regionally accredited college or university. Students do not need to have an earned bachelor's degree prior to acceptance. Specific course requirements apply. See below.
- International students must provide a TOEFL exam score of 550 or higher to be eligible.
The Admissions process is a selective process. Criteria used include: GPA, completion of subject requirements, interview, essay, recommendations, and work experience.
Those applying to the Entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program must apply through the PTCAS Service.
TRANSCRIPTS
- Official college transcripts must be requested to be sent to us directly from ANY and ALL colleges you have attended. If you have difficulty in having your institution send your transcript directly to us, please contact us.
- Official transcripts MAY NOT be hand-delivered or sent in by the student but must be sent directly from previous educational institutions. Hand-carried or sealed transcripts that are sent along with other application materials are not considered official copies even if the seal is unbroken.
- All official transcripts must be submitted before admission acceptances can be offered. Applicants will be given a one-quarter grace period in which to have their final transcripts forwarded to us. Second quarter registration will not be permitted without receipt of the final transcripts. If you are enrolled in back-to-back semesters/quarters with LLU, make sure you request final transcripts to be sent from your previous school to LLU as soon as possible. Students who have not cleared registration or have holds on their accounts will not be allowed to attend class.
All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of these four evaluation centers and sent directly to us from the service you choose. Transcripts from other services are not accepted at Loma Linda University. This process may take several weeks to complete. Please apply as early as possible. SAHP applications cannot be considered without these evaluations.
TOEFL SCORE
A TOEFL score of 550 (213 if computer generated) is required for globally educated or international students who have taken credits outside the US. Students who have scored below 550 will need to retest and meet the minimum score before they are eligible.
Prerequisite Requirements
The minimum subject admission requirements are listed under the two options that follow. Grades of C minus (C-) and below are not transferable for credit.
OPTION ONE: BS/DPT track
This option is for individuals who DO NOT have an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Graduates will receive a bachelor of health science degree and a doctor of physical therapy degree.
Domain 1: HUMANITIES AND RELIGION: 24 quarter/16 semester credits minimum.
Humanities: Credits in humanities must be selected from at least three of the following areas and must include at least one upper division course.
- Civilization/history
- Language
- Fine arts
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Performing/visual arts (not to exceed 4 quarter credits)
Religion: An applicant who has attended an Adventist college or university is required to have taken four quarter units of religion from an Adventist institution for each year of attendance at an Adventist college or university. Up to 12 quarter credits may apply towards the 24 credits needed in Domain1.
If the applicant has not attended an Adventist college or university, religion units are not required. In either case, however, the applicant must have completed 24 quarter/16 semester units in Domain 1- Humanities and Religion.
Domain 2: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS:
Natural sciences: The study of natural sciences must include the following courses and must include at least one course at the upper division level.
- Human anatomy & physiology with lab complete sequence (preferred) or general biology with lab, complete sequence
- Statistics
- One additional natural science course
- Medical Terminology
- Option 1: General Chemistry with laboratory, complete sequence AND a minimum of 6 quarter-units of any Physics with laboratory.
- Option 2: General Physics with laboratory, complete sequence AND a minimum of two academic terms of any sequenced Chemistry with laboratory.
Social sciences: 12 quarter/8 semester credits with at least one course at the upper division level.
Required courses:
- General Psychology
- Human Growth & Development
Domain 3: COMMUNICATION: (9 quarter/ 6 semester credits minimum)
- Freshman English, complete sequence (must meet transfer requirements to four year college or university)
- One course in communication skills (speech)
Domain 4: HEALTH AND WELLNESS: 3 quarter/2 semester units required.
- Health Education (personal health or nutrition)
- Two activity courses in physical education
Domain 5: Electives
- Applicants must have a total of 138 quarter/92 semester credits with a minimum of 18 quarter/12 semester credits of upper division coursework.
- No more than 105 quarter/ 70 semester credits may be transferred from a community college.
Observation experience: 80 observation/work hours are required, 20 hours of which must be in an inpatient setting.
OPTION TWO: DPT-only track
This option is for individuals who have an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Graduates will receive a doctor of physical therapy degree.
Natural sciences:
- Human anatomy & physiology with lab complete sequence (preferred) or general biology with lab, complete sequence
- Statistics
- One additional natural science course
- Medical Terminology
Select one of the following two options:
- Option 1: General Chemistry with laboratory, complete sequence AND a minimum of 6 quarter-units of any Physics with laboratory.
- Option 2: General Physics with laboratory, complete sequence AND a minimum of two academic terms of any sequenced Chemistry with laboratory.
Social sciences:
- General psychology
- Human Growth & Development
Communication:
- One course in oral communication skills
Observation experience: 80 observation/work hours are required, 20 hours of which must be in an inpatient setting.
- Tuition Rates
- Nonrefundable acceptance fee of $200 to confirm class seat. Fee is due after receiving your acceptance letter.
The tuition quotes do not include books and supply fees, lab fees, living or transportation expenses and are tuition costs for the full program listed. Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to pursue scholarships. Tuition rates are subject to increase annually.
Program of Instruction
PHYSICAL THERAPY--Entry-level doctor of Physical Therapy
The program of instruction outlined below:
| YEAR ONE | ||
| PHTH 506 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PHTH 508 |
PT Communication and Documentation | 2 |
| PHTH 509 |
Physical Therapy Modalities | 3 |
| PHTH 510 |
Kinesiology | 3 |
| PHTH 513 |
Therapeutic Procedures | 3 |
| PHTH 514 |
Manual Muscle Testing | 3 |
| PHTH 519 | Locomotion Studies | 3 |
| PHTH 521A | Orthopedics IA | 3 |
| PHTH 527 | Scientific Foundations for Therapeutic Exercise | 2 |
| PHTH 528 | Therapeutic Exercise I | 2 |
| PHTH 532, 533 |
Biostatistics I, II | 2,2 |
| PHTH 557 | Lifespan Studies: Infant-Adolescents | 3 |
| PHTH 563 | Scientific Inquiry I | 2 |
| PHTH 571 |
Physical Therapy Practicum I | 1 |
| AHCJ 305 | Infectious Disease and the Health Provider | 1 |
| AHCJ 311 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| AHCJ 510 |
Anatomy | 9 |
| AHCJ 538 | Histology | 3 |
| AHCJ 542, 543 | Pathology I, II | 4,3 |
| AHCJ 561 | Neuroscience I: Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| AHCJ 562 | Neuroscience II: Neurophysiology | 3 |
| AHCJ 563 | Neuroscience III: Clinical Neurology | 2 |
| AHCJ 721 | Wholeness Portfolio I | 1 |
| RELT 709 |
Christians Perspectives on Death and Dying |
2 |
| RELF 718 |
Adventist Heritage and Health |
2 |
| YEAR TWO | ||
| PHTH 501-503 | Neurology I, II, III | 2,3,3 |
| PHTH 511 | Clinical Orthopaedics | 2 |
| PHTH 512 | Clinical Psychiatry | 2 |
| PHTH 517 | Movement Science | 2 |
| PHTH 518 | Aspects of Health Promotion | 2 |
| PHTH 521-523 | Orthopedics I, II, III | 3, 3, 3 |
| PHTH 525 |
General Medicine |
3 |
| PHTH 526 | Cardiopulmonary | 3 |
| PHTH 530 | Therapeutic Exercise II | 3 |
| PHTH 534 | Soft-Tissue Techniques | 2 |
| PHTH 555 | Differential Diagnosis | 2 |
| PHTH 558 | Lifespan Studies II: Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| PHTH 559 | Lifespan Studies III: Geriatrics | 2 |
| PHTH 561 | Physical Therapy Administration | 4 |
| PHTH 564 | Scientific Inquiry II | 2 |
| PHTH 572 | PT Practicum | 1.5 |
| PHTH 575 | Orthopedics IV | 1 |
| AHCJ 516 | Clinical Imaging | 3 |
| AHCJ 524 |
Pharmacology | 2 |
| AHCJ 722 |
Portfolio Practicum II | 1 |
| RELE 524 | Bioethics and Society |
3 |
| RELF 740 |
World Religions and Human Health |
3 |
| YEAR THREE | ||
| PHTH 573 | PT Practicum III | 1.5 |
| PHTH 701, A B |
PT Affiliation IA IB | 4,1 |
| PHTH 702, 703 |
Affiliation I, II | 5, 5 |
| PHTH 731 |
Advanced Orthopedics Studies | 4 |
| PHTH 732 |
Advanced Neurologic Studies | 4 |
| PHTH 733 |
Advanced General Medicine Studies | 4 |
See course descriptions.
Contact us
Larry Chinnock, PT, EdD, MBA
Associate Professor
Program Director
Physical Therapy Department
School of Allied Health Professions
NH Room 1810
Phone: (909) 558-4632, extension 47251
Email: lchinnock@llu.edu
Please contact Larry directly at the above email if you have questions about this program.