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 $60,180 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,330 and $71,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,580.
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 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 when completed in succession. 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 to undergraduates of approved schools. 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 PT programs at Loma Linda University are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association, 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; (703) 684-2782.
The accreditation status was granted on April 20, 2003 and is in effect through June 2012 for all PT programs.
All physical therapist programs seeking accreditation are required to offer degrees at the master’s degree level and above in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
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.
To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have:
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 & Progression Doctorate programs must apply through the PTCAS Service.
Apply to the Entry Level Program |
TRANSCRIPTS
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.
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: 28 quarter/19 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.
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 28 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 28 quarter/19 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 with at least one course at the upper division level.
Social sciences: 16 quarter/11 semester credits with at least one course at the upper division level.
Required courses:
Domain 3: COMMUNICATION:
Domain 4: HEALTH AND WELLNESS: 3 quarter/2 semester units required.
Domain 5: Electives
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:
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:
Communication:
Observation experience: 80 observation/work hours are required, 20 hours of which must be in an inpatient setting.
The above 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.
International students are required to provide an up-front fee of $6,000, which is applied to their last quarter of study.
PHYSICAL THERAPY--Entry-level doctor of Physical Therapy
The program of instruction outlined below:
| YEAR ONE | ||
| PHTH 413 | Clinical Neurology | 2 |
| PHTH 434 | PT Communication and Documentation | 2 |
| PHTH 435 | Physical Therapy Modalities | 3 |
| PHTH 436 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PHTH 437 | Therapeutic Procedures | 3 |
| PHTH 438 | Manual Muscle Testing | 3 |
| PHTH 439 | Human Life Sequence | 3 |
| PHTH 441, 442 | Biostatistics I, II | 2,2 |
| PHTH 451 | Scientific Inquiry I | 2 |
| PHTH 465 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PHTH 471 | Physical Therapy Practicum I | 1 |
| PHTH 477 | Locomotion Studies | 3 |
| PHTH 516 | Electrotherapy | 3 |
| AHCJ 305 | Infectious Disease and the Health Provider | 1 |
| AHCJ 311 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| AHCJ 328 | Wholeness Portfolio I | 1 |
| AHCJ 402, 203 | Pathology I, II | 4,3 |
| AHCJ 412 | Anatomy | 9 |
| AHCJ 418, 419 | Physiology I, II | 4, 3 |
| AHCJ 426 | Computer Application I | 2 |
| AHCJ 443,444 | Neuroanatomy I, II | 4, 2 |
| AHCJ 538 | Histology | 3 |
| RELF 406 | Adventist Beliefs & Life | 2 |
| RELF 440 | World Religions | 2 |
| YEAR TWO | ||
| PHTH 452 | Scientific Inquiry II | 2 |
| PHTH 484 | Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
| PHTH 501-503 | Neurology I, II, III | 2,3,3 |
| PHTH 504 | Pediatric Care I | 3 |
| PHTH 511 | Clinical Orthopaedics | 2 |
| PHTH 512 | Clinical Psychiatry | 2 |
| PHTH 521-523 | Orthopaedics I, II, III | 3, 3, 3 |
| PHTH 524 | Hand Rehabilitation | 2 |
| PHTH 525, 526 | General Medicine I, II | 3, 3 |
| PHTH 527 | Scientific Foundation of Ther Ex | 2 |
| PHTH 531 | Soft-Tissue Techniques | 2 |
| PHTH 554 | Geriatrics | 2 |
| PHTH 555 | Differential Diagnosis | 2 |
| PHTH 561 | Physical Therapy Administration | 4 |
| PHTH 572 | PT Practicum | 1.5 |
| PHTH 575 | Orthopedics IV | 1 |
| AHCJ 404 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| AHCJ 498 | Portfolio Practicum II | 1 |
| AHCJ 516 | Clinical Imaging | 3 |
| HPRO 508 | Aspects of Health Promotion | 2 |
| RELE 524 | Christian Bioethics | 3 |
| RELF 557 | Theology of Suffering | 2 |
| YEAR THREE | ||
| PHTH 573 | PT Practicum III | 1.5 |
| PHTH 583 A, B | PT Affiliation IA IB | 4,1 |
| PHTH 584, 585 | Affiliation I, II | 5, 5 |
| PHTH 591 | Advanced Orthopedics Studies | 6 |
| PHTH 592 | Advanced Neurologic Studies | 4 |
| PHTH 594 | Advanced General Medicine Studies | 4 |
See course descriptions.
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.
Last Revised: Tue, Aug 12, 2008
