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 $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.
Salaries may vary depending on experience and area of specialization, location, and size of employer.
Full-time PT openings at LLUMC are currently being paid:
$35.47-$45.41 Hourly
Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA
5/08
PHYSICAL THERAPY-- Progression Master of Physical Therapy
Please note: The Department of Physical Therapy will be phasing out the progression master of physical therapy transitioning to the progression doctor of physical therapy option.
The progression master of physical therapy program will accept students for the program that begins in June 2008 for the final time. The progression doctor of physical therapy program will be available for acceptance beginning in June 2007 and continuing on thereafter.
The program
The progression master of physical therapy program (MPT) is designed specifically for applicants with an associate degree in physical therapy who wish to advance to a master's degree. Applicants must have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant (PTA) program within a regionally accredited institution.
Admission to the University follows completion of an associate degree in physical therapy, completion of prerequisites listed under "Admission," and a minimum of 2500 hours as a PTA earned in no less than 16 months. The emphasis throughout the program is on professional courses, ethics, and practical experience at Loma Linda University Medical Center and affiliated hospitals and clinics.
Length of program
The program is two and one half years in length. Classes begin in June of each year. Graduation is in the spring quarter followed by two clinical affiliations.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 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 four different times during the program. In the spring quarter of the first year, students complete one three-week practicum. In the winter quarter of the second year, students complete one eight-week affiliation. In the final two quarters of the program, students complete one eight-week and one ten-week affiliation.
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 a student's family/marital status or personal preference. Although the department makes an effort to accommodate the student's preferences, the student must agree to accept the clinical assignment made at any of the affiliated facilities, whether local or out of state.
Professional association
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. The student is required to become a member of this association while in the program and is encouraged to read the journal and attend the APTA-sponsored meetings.
Professional registration
Satisfactory completion of the degree requirements and clinical affiliations qualifies 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.
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 evidence-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.
Admission to the program
To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have:
MPT Option 1 requirements - This option is for individuals who DO NOT have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Graduates will receive a bachelor of science and a master of physical therapy degree upon successful completion of coursework and clinical work.
Domain 1: HUMANITIES AND RELIGION
(20 quarter/14 semester credits minimum)
Humanities: (12 qtr./8 sem. credits minimum)
Credits in humanities must be selected from at least three of the following areas:
Civilization/History Language
Fine Arts Literature
Philosophy
Performing/Visual Arts (not to exceed 4 quarter units)
Religion:
Domain 2: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS
Natural Sciences: The study of natural sciences must include:
Human Anatomy & Physiology w/lab, complete sequence (preferred) OR General Biology (complete sequence)
Select one of the following options:
Option 1: General Chemistry w/lab (complete sequence) AND a minimum of 6 qtr/4 sem credits of any Physics w/lab
Option 2: General Physics w/lab (complete sequence) AND a minimum of 2 academic terms of any sequenced Chemistry w/lab.
Statistics
One additional natural science course
Social Sciences: 8 quarter/6 semester credits minimum.
General Psychology
Human Growth and Development
Domain 3: COMMUNICATION
Freshman Composition, complete sequence. (must meet transfer requirements to four-year college or university)
One course in communication skills (speech)
One basic computer course that includes word processing and spreadsheets. (Applicants may document proficiency)
Domain 4: HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Health Education (personal health or nutrition)
Two activity courses in Physical Education
Domain 5: ELECTIVES
Applicants must have a total of 98 qtr./66 sem. credits. Professional credits earned in a PTA program may not be applied towards the 98 qtr./66 sem. credit requirement.
No more than 105 qtr./70 sem. credits may be transferred from a community college.
Work Experience: Applicants must have 2500 hours of work experience as a licensed physical therapist assistant.
Natural Sciences: The study of natural sciences must include:
Human Anatomy & Physiology w/lab, complete sequence (preferred) OR General Biology (complete sequence)
Select one of the following options:
Option 1: General Chemistry w/lab (complete sequence) AND a minimum of 6 qtr./4 sem. credits of any Physics w/lab
Option 2: General Physics w/lab (complete sequence) AND a minimum of 2 academic terms of any sequenced Chemistry w/lab.
Statistics
One additional natural science course
Social Sciences:
General Psychology
Human Growth and Development
Communication
One course in communication skills (speech)
One basic computer course which includes word processing and spreadsheets. (Applicants may document proficiency.)
Work Experience: Applicants must have 2500 hours of work experience as a licensed physical therapist assistant.
Students must also meet all University admissions requirements. Admission into the program is a selective process. Criteria used to accept qualified students include: GPA, completion of subject requirements, interview, essay, recommendations, and work experience.
The cost of the program for students starting in 2008-2009 is approximately $61,000 for the program duration. This estimate does not include school fees, living and transportation costs.
School necessities such as books, living (room and board) and transportation costs are the students' responsibility. Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from classes and to clinical sites.
International students may be subjected to additional fees. Tuition fees are raised slightly each year and are subject to change.
See our PT Faqs page for a complete list of tuition rates and fees
| YEAR ONE | ||
| PMPT 427 | Human Life Sequence | 2 |
| PMPT 477 | Locomotion Studies | 3 |
| PHTH 436 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PHTH 438 | Manual Muscle Testing | 3 |
| PMPT 476 | Therapeutic exercise | 3 |
| PHTH 451,452 | Scientific Inquiry I,II | 2,2 |
| PHTH 465 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PHTH 502, 503 | Neurology II,III | 3,3 |
| PHTH 504 | Pediatric Care | 3 |
| PHTH 521, 522, 523 | Orthopedics I, II, III | 3, 3, 3 |
| PHTH 554 | Geriatrics | 2 |
| AHCJ 311 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| AHCJ 328 | Wholeness Portfolio | 1 |
| AHCJ 402, 403 | Pathology I, II | 4, 3 |
| AHCJ 412 | Anatomy | 9 |
| AHCJ 418, 419 | Physiology I, II | 4, 3 |
| AHCJ 443, 444 | Neuroanatomy I,II | 4, 2 |
| AHCJ 538 | Histology | 3 |
| RELT 440 | World Religions | 3 |
| YEAR TWO | ||
| PMPT 474 | P.T. Practicum | 1.5 |
| PMPT 524 | Electrotherapy | 2 |
| PMPT 534 | PT Comm & Documentation | 2 |
| PMPT 535 | Hydrotherapy/Massage | 2 |
| PMPT 583 | PT Affiliation I | 4 |
| PMPT 591 | Advanced Ortho Studies | 5 |
| PMPT 592 | Advanced Neuro Studies | 5 |
| PMPT 593 | Advanced GM Studies | 3 |
| PHTH 413 | Clinical Neurology | 2 |
| PHTH 501 | Neurology I | 2 |
| PHTH 511 | Clinical Orthopedics | 2 |
| PHTH 512 | Clinical Psychiatry | 2 |
| PHTH 524 | Hand Rehabilitation | 2 |
| PHTH 525, 526 | General Medicine I, II | 3, 3 |
| PHTH 534 | Soft Tissue Techniques | 2 |
| PHTH 561 | PT Administration | 4 |
| PHTH 575 | Orthopedics IV | |
| PHTH 581, 582 | Research Applications I,II | 2,2 |
| AHCJ 305 | Infectious Disease and the Health Care Provider | 1 |
| AHCJ 404 | Pharmacology | 1 |
| AHCJ 426 | Computer Application | 2 |
| AHCJ 498 | Portfolio Practicum II | 1 |
| RELE 524 | Christian Bioethics | 3 |
| RELT 406 | Adventist Beliefs & Life | 2 |
| RELT 557 | Theology of Suffering | 2 |
| HPRO 508 | Aspects of Health Promotion | 2 |
| YEAR THREE | ||
| PMPT 584, 585 | PT Affiliation II, III | 4, 5 |
See course descriptions.
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Larry Chinnock, PT, EdD, MBA
Associate professor
Program Director
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: Mon, May 12, 2008
