Progression 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, 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 orthopedics, 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.

Program Info

The progression Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) is designed specifically for applicants with an associate degree in physical therapy who wish to advance to a doctorate 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 and completion of the prerequisites listed under "Admissions." The emphasis throughout the program is on professional courses, ethics, and practical experience at Loma Linda University Medical Center and affiliated hospitals and clinics.

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.

Program Duration and Start Date

The program is three years in length. Classes begin in June of each year.

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.

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 will complete one three-week practicum. During the third year of the program, students will 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 a student's family/marital status or personal preference. Although the department makes an effort to accommodate the students preferences, the student must agree to accept the clinical assignment made 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.

Student 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.

Admission info

Subject requirements for admission June 2009
To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 138/92 semester units at a regionally accredited college or university. The minimum GPA is 3.0 in the science and non-science courses. Admission is a selective process. Criteria used include: GPA, completion of subject requirements, interview, essay, recommendations, and work experience.

Tuition rates and fees

The cost of the program for students starting in 2008-2009 is approximately $87,000.00 for the program duration. This total includes school fees and tuition costs only.

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.

DPT Option 1 requirements -
This option is for individuals who DO NOT have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor 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 and must include at least one upper division course:

Civilization/History Language

Fine Arts

Literature

Language

Philosophy

Performing/Visual Arts (not to exceed 4 quarter units)

Religion: An applicant who has attended an Adventist college or university is required to have taken four quarter units or religion from an Adventist institution for each year of attendence. Up to 8 quarter credits may apply towards the 20 credits needed in Domain 1.

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 20 quarter/14 semester units in Domain 1- Humanities and Religion.

Domain 2: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS

Natural Sciences: The study of natural sciences must include at least one upper division course:

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: 9 quarter/6 semester credits minimum with at least one upper division course.

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 which 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 138 qtr/92 sem credits with a minimum of 18 qtr/12 sem credits of upper division course work. Credits earned in a PTA program may be applied towards the 138 qtr/92 sem credit requirement.

No more than 105 qtr/70 sem credits may be transferred from a community college.

DPT Option 2 requirements -

This option is for individuals who have an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Graduates will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree only.

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)

Curriculum of Program

PHYSICAL THERAPY--progression Doctor of Physical Therapy

The program of instruction is outlined below.

YEAR ONE
PHTH 413	Clinical Neurology	2
PHTH 434	PT Communication & Document	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 care provider	1
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 426	Computer Application	2
AHCJ 443, 444	Neuroanatomy I,II	4, 2
AHCJ 538	Histology	3
RELT 406	Adventist Beliefs and Life	2
RELT 440	World Religions

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	3
PHTH 511	Clinical Orthopedics	2
PHTH 512	Clinical Psychiatry	2
PHTH 521-523	Orthopedics I, II, III	3, 3, 3
PHTH 524	Hand Rehabilitation	2
PHTH 525, 526	General Medicine I, II	3, 3
PHTH 527	Scientific Foundation for Ther Ex	2
PHTH 534	Soft Tissue Techniques	2
PHTH 554	Geriatrics	2
PHTH 555	Differential Diagnosis	2
PHTH 561	PT Administration	4
PHTH 572	Physical Therapy Practicum II	1.5
PHTH 575	Orthopedics IV	1
AHCJ 404	Pharmacology	2
AHCJ 498	Wholeness Portfolio II	1
AHCJ 516	Clinical Imaging	3
HPRO 508	Aspects of Health Promotion	2
RELE 524	Christian Bioethics	3
RELT 557	Theology of Suffering	3

YEAR THREE
PHTH 573	PT Practicum III	1.5
PHTH 583 A, B	PT Affiliation IA, IB	4, 1
PHTH 584, 585	PT Affiliation II, III	5, 5
PHTH 591	Advanced Orthopedic Studies	6
PHTH 592	Advanced Neurologic Studies	4
PHTH 594	Advanced Gen Med Studies	4

See course descriptions.

Contact Us

Dr. Larry Chinnock, PT, EdD, MBA
Physical Therapy Department
Associate professor
Program director
Email: lchinnock@llu.edu

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