Post-Professional MSOP in Orthotics & Prosthetics (PP-MSOP) Program
Prospective Students
Admissions info/ Apply Here
An entry level degree option is now also available. Please contact the department directly for information and program information.
About our program
The National Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetics Education (NCOPE) is studying the option of proposing that beginning 2012 they will no longer accredit new bachelor's or certificate programs. If adopted, all new programs will be at the entry-level master’s degree status. Should this proposal come to fruition, the need for advanced trained orthotist and prosthetist will be paramount. The purpose of the Post-professional Master Science in Orthotics & Prosthetics (PP-MSOP) program is to afford professionals with a bachelor’s degree in orthotics & prosthetics or post-baccalaureate certificate in orthotics or prosthetics the opportunity to earn a master’s degree while working in the clinic. The eleven (11) month, Tuesday and Thursday evening format of the PP-MSOP program allows working clinicians to enhance their professional experience and earn a master’s degree.
The emphasis of the PP-MSOP program includes research, advanced clinical practice, and education courses that allow graduates to advance their skills and knowledge in these areas. Our vision is that our graduates will take a leadership role as the O&P profession moves towards entry-level master’s degree programs.
The PP-MSOP program was approved by the Loma Linda University (LLU) Board of Trustees on December 12, 2007. The PP-MSOP program is the only one of its kind. Although NCOPE does not presently accredit post-professional educational programs; they were consulted during the development of this program. The PP-MSOP is the newest program in the Department of Physical Therapy (PT), School of Allied Health Professions. The SAHP boosts a total of 44 programs ranging from certificate to research-based doctorate programs; 14 of these programs are offered at a master’s or doctorate level. The SAHP recently celebrated 40 years of excellence while the university just celebrated its centennial anniversary. The PT department has offered a Post-Professional Master of Physical Therapy (PP-MPT) since 1994. Come join this long tradition of rehabilitation excellence.
Program structure
Core courses in the PP-MSOP program will be taken with the PP-MPT students while the specialty classes will be profession-specific. There are numerous advantages for post-professional programs in the field of rehabilitation to share core courses. In addition to sharing core curriculum, the PP-MSOP program also shares two co-directors: A licensed physical therapist for the core academic courses and a Board Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) for the clinical and profession specific courses.
Intentions
What is the intent of this program? Loma Linda University envisions the following three outcomes from the PP-MSOP program: 1) Assist "seasoned" O&P clinicians in advancing their degree to build a master's-prepared faculty pool for future entry-level master’s in orthotics and prosthetics programs in America, 2) Upgrade current bachelor’s-prepared clinicians to the new "standard" entry-level master’s degree, and 3) Assist O&P clinicians to "reinvent themselves" to become proficient in the areas of research, teaching, advanced clinical practice, and/or administration. The PP-MSOP program is in alignment with the mission of LLU, as a health-science university, to "Make Man Whole." The university mission statement is augmented by the SAHP vision to prepare caregivers "to Lead, to Heal, and to Serve."
Program format
The program is offered in a Tuesday and Thursday evening format from 5:00 to 10:20 p.m. This evening format enables practicing clinicians to continue employment while pursuing their advanced degree. Some students, due to other obligations, may choose to pursue the program on a part-time basis (i.e. one night a week). Typically students will matriculate into the program in Fall Quarter in order to take sequenced courses in such a manner as to complete the PP-MSOP program in 11 months; however, students may be considered for acceptance in an alternate quarter.
Prerequisites
A baccalaureate degree in orthotics and prosthetics or a baccalaureate in any major and an orthotics and/or prosthetics certificate from an accredited college or university.
Graduation requirements
To graduate from the PP-MSOP program the student must successfully complete 45-quarter units in the post-baccalaureate PP-MSOP program at Loma Linda University. The curriculum is comprised of courses that include: Research, Advanced Clinical Practice, Education, and Basic Science.
Tuition Costs
The PP-MSOP program is 45 units in length. The tuition rates do not include additional expenses such as student fees, books, materials, food, transportation, and lodging. International students may be subjected to additional costs.
Course of Study
Projected Course of Study:
The courses listed below are worth 3 quarter units each with a total of 45 units for the completed program.
The courses listed below are worth 3 quarter units each with a total of 45 units for the completed program.
AHCJ 519 is worth 1 quarter unit
AHCJ 696 Research Rotations is worth 2 quarter units.
Program Courses
AHCJ 509 Teaching and Learning Styles
AHCJ 511 Biostatistics
AHCJ 519 Graduate Wholeness Portfolio
AHCJ 535 Advanced Physiology II: Exercise and Thermoregulation
AHCJ 519 Graduate Wholeness Portfolio
AHCJ 535 Advanced Physiology II: Exercise and Thermoregulation
AHCJ 545 Legal and Ethical Issues in the Health Professions
AHCJ 591 Research I
AHCJ 592 Research II
AHCJ 696 Research Rotations
AHCJ 696 Research Rotations
ORPR 504 Materials Science in Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P)
ORPR 505 Current Issues in O&P- Bionics & Cyborg Technology
ORPR 505 Current Issues in O&P- Bionics & Cyborg Technology
ORPR 506 Advanced Specialty Tracks in O&P
PHTH 515 Biomechatronics
PHTH 515 Biomechatronics
PHTH 529 Pathokinesiology of Gait
PHTH 560 Neuro Upper Extremity
PHTH 560 Neuro Upper Extremity
PHTH 630 Physics-based Kinesiology (Kinetics)
RELR 575 The Art of Integrative Care
The outcome of the research track will include a thesis.
Form D will be submitted after successful completion of the research thesis.
Strategic Partners
Special thanks to the following entities:
PossAbilities | East Campus | O&P Clinical Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center | Team PossAbilities
How do I inquire about this new exciting program?
We are curently accepting applications for the PP-MSOP program.
Please contact Everett Lohman at elohman@llu.edu directly if you have questions regarding admissions or the program.
Contact us
Contact us
For general information, application criteria, curriculum, and dates and deadlines please contact:
Everett B. Lohman III, DSc, PT, OCS
Assistant Dean of Graduate Academic Affairs - SAHP
Orthopaedic Track Coordinator – Entry-level PT Programs
Director of Post-professional Physical Therapy (PT) Programs
Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
School of Allied Health Professions
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California 92350
(909) 558-4632, ext., 83171
Fax (909) 558-0995
Email: elohman@llu.edu
For information regarding the clinical specialty courses and elective course advisement please contact:
Michael Davidson, CPO, MPH
Co-Director of Post-professional Orthotics & Prosthetics Program
Associate Clinical Professor
Clinical Manager - Loma Linda University Medical Center, Department of Orthotics & Prosthetics
(909) 558-6516
Email: mdavidson@llu.edu
Loma Linda University
Department of Physical Therapy
Attention Everett Lohman
Nichol Hall A620
Loma Linda, CA 92350
Loma Linda University
Department of Physical Therapy
Attention Everett Lohman
Nichol Hall A620
Loma Linda, CA 92350