Program director
Everett B. Lohmann III

The postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy (PP-D.P.T.) degree is designed for the individual with a degree in physical therapy who wishes to pursue advanced studies within the profession. 

Two tracks lead to the postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree:

  • The 66-unit track is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from an accredited program, or who have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree in physical therapy.
  • The 45-unit track is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from an accredited program, or who have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree in physical therapy, and have earned a master's degree.

Technology requirement

Students are required to have an iPad for the courses in the orthopaedic and neurology tracks, as well as for testing activities in all courses. It is highly recommended that students have access to a personal computer (minimum: 800 MHz multimedia) with Internet access (minimum: 56 k.b.p.s. [connected at 44+ k.b.p.s.]). A $65 technology fee is charged in year one for the 45-unit track, and years one and two for the 66-unit track.

Program learning outcomes

In addition to the stated institutional learning outcomes, by the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a commitment to discovery.
  2. Apply basic sciences to physical therapy practice.
  3. Provide advanced patient-specific physical therapy care.
  4. Select best practice and examination techniques based on scientific evidence.

Admission is based on a selective process.  In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

  • Must have earned a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from an accredited program or have the equivalent of a four (4) year U.S. bachelor's degree in physical therapy.
  • Must have earned a master's degree (45-unit track only).
  • Upon evaluation of transcripts, additional corequisites may be required, and sequencing of courses may be modified.

There is no GRE requirement for acceptance into this program.

45-unit track

Required
AHCJ 519Graduate Wholeness Portfolio 11
PTGR 511Advanced Clinical Practice I: Orthopaedic Rehabilitation3
PTGR 512Advanced Clinical Practice II3
PTGR 513Advanced Clinical Practice III3
PTGR 514Professional Systems in Management I3
PTGR 515Cardiopulmonary Approaches to Assessment, Wellness, and Disease3
PTGR 516Movement Science of the Upper Quarter3
PTGR 517Movement Science: Lower Quarter Biomechanical Relationships3
PTGR 519Home Health Physical Therapy for the Post-Acute Patient3
PTGR 553Clinical Reasoning and Critical Thinking in Physical Therapy3
PTGR 571Advanced Physiology I: Neurobiology3
PTGR 578Medical Screening for Physical Therapists3
PTGR 579Clinical Imaging for Physical Therapist3
PTGR 594Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy2
RELR 525Health Care and the Dynamics of Christian Leadership3
Electives
Choose 3 units from the following:3
Advanced Orthopaedic Specialty Tracks I
Orthopaedic Intervention: Regional Interdependency of the Cervical Spine & Upper Extremities
Function-Based Rehabilitation
Topics in Rehabilitation
Integumentary and Lymphatic Systems: Evaluation and Intervention
Total Units45
1

Fulfills service learning requirement

Normal time to complete the program

One (1) year (four [4] academic quarters) — based on full-time enrollment

66-unit track

Required
AHCJ 519Graduate Wholeness Portfolio 11
PTGR 501Advanced Orthopaedic Specialty Tracks I3
PTGR 505Orthopaedic Intervention: Regional Interdependency of the Cervical Spine & Upper Extremities3
PTGR 506Soft-Tissue Mobilization3
PTGR 509Function-Based Rehabilitation3
PTGR 510Neurologic Upper Extremity Management3
PTGR 511Advanced Clinical Practice I: Orthopaedic Rehabilitation3
PTGR 512Advanced Clinical Practice II3
PTGR 513Advanced Clinical Practice III3
PTGR 514Professional Systems in Management I3
PTGR 515Cardiopulmonary Approaches to Assessment, Wellness, and Disease3
PTGR 516Movement Science of the Upper Quarter3
PTGR 517Movement Science: Lower Quarter Biomechanical Relationships3
PTGR 519Home Health Physical Therapy for the Post-Acute Patient3
PTGR 529Integumentary and Lymphatic Systems: Evaluation and Intervention3
PTGR 553Clinical Reasoning and Critical Thinking in Physical Therapy3
PTGR 571Advanced Physiology I: Neurobiology3
PTGR 573Pathokinesiology of Gait3
PTGR 577Pharmacology in Physical Therapy3
PTGR 578Medical Screening for Physical Therapists3
PTGR 579Clinical Imaging for Physical Therapist3
PTGR 594Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy2
RELR 525Health Care and the Dynamics of Christian Leadership3
Total Units66
1

Fulfills service learning requirement

Normal time to complete the program

1.5 years (six [6] academic quarters) — based on full-time enrollment