Post-Professional Master of Science in Orthotics & Prosthetics (PP-MSOP) 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 the working clinician 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.

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."

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.

 

To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics or a post-baccalaureate certificate in orthotics and/or prosthetics from a NCOPE accredited program.

Graduation requirements
To graduate from the PP-MSOP program the student must successfully complete 45-quarter units post-baccalaureate in the PP-MSOP program at Loma Linda University. The curriculum is comprised of fifteen 3-quarter unit courses that include elements of: Research, Advanced Clinical Practice, Education, and Basic Science.

 

The Post-Professional MSOP program is 45-quarter units in length. The current LLU SAHP tuition rate for the 2007-2008 school year is $510.00 per quarter unit or a total of $22,950.00. There is a slight increase in tuition annually. This does not include additional expenses such as student fees, books, materials, food, transportation, and lodging. International students may be subjected to additional costs.

 

Title

OPMS 501 Materials Science in Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P)

OPMS 502 Advanced Specialty Tracks in O&P

OPMS 503 Current Issues in O&P

PHTH 529 Pathokinesiology of Gait

PHTH 630 Physics-based Kinesiology (Kinetics)

AHCJ 509 Teaching and Learning Styles

AHCJ 511 Biostatistics I

AHCJ 526 Introduction to Computer Application II§

AHCJ 538 Histology

AHCJ 544 Functional Neuroanatomy

AHCJ 545 Legal and Ethical Issues in the Health Professions

AHCJ 591 Research I

AHCJ 592 Research II*¥

RELR 525 Dynamics of Christian Leadership

Electives†

(Classes

 

Recommended Elective Courses: †

AHCJ 535 Exercise & Thermoregulation

AHCJ 696 Research Practicum∞

AHCJ 699 Directed Study∞

§ Applicants with a good working knowledge of personal computers including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel may choose to take a waiver examination and substitute this course with 3 units elective coursework. These students will work with a program director to select elective coursework and to submit a Petition of Academic Variance prior to graduation and completion of the program.

* The outcome of the research track will include a thesis.

∞ The following maximum unit values will be allowed for the following courses: Directed Study - 6 units, Research Rotations - 3 units, and Topics in Rehabilitation - 3 units.

¥ Form D will be submitted after successful completion of the research thesis.

† Elective courses subject to availability and change.

 

 

Special thanks to the following entities:

 

PossAbilities | East Campus | O&P Clinical Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center | Team PossAbilities

We are accepting our first applications for the PP-MSOP program. The program is set to begin Fall Quarter, September 22, 2008.

 

Please contact Everett Lohman at elohman@llu.edu directly, if you have questions regarding Admissions or the Program.
Contact us

Loma Linda University
Department of Physical Therapy
Attention Everett Lohman
Nichol Hall A620
Loma Linda CA 92350

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