General Program Description
The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a full time, week day program. The curriculum requires a minimum of 138 quarter units of prerequisites taken at a regionally accredited institution 3 years of professional course work at Loma Linda University. The applicant is not required to have an earned Bachelors degree prior to acceptance. The program begins in June of each year and continues for 36 consecutive months. Six clinical rotations, for a total of 39 weeks, are integrated throughout the curriculum to allow for application of didactic knowledge. Students are involved in a research component under the direction of a faculty advisor that includes the formulation of a research question, proposal development and approval by the Institutional Review Board, data collection, data analysis, write-up in journal format and oral presentation.
Clinical Experiences
Students are involved in six clinical rotations. A two-week clinical rotation is placed at the end of the first year of the program, with a three-week clinical rotation scheduled in the middle of the second year and the end of the second year. During the final year of the program, the student is scheduled for two ten-week rotations and one eleven-week rotation. The Department has approximately 700 clinics within which to place our students ranging from Hawaii to the East coast.
Faculty
There are 12 full-time and two part-time faculty members as well as numerous clinicians who provide the didactic training. Of the full-time faculty 90% hold post-professional doctoral degree, six are certified as clinical specialists, and eight are engaged in clinical practice. Over the past 3 years, faculty have averaged thirteen publications in peer-reviewed journals per year. The faculty to student ratio is 1:12.
Enrollment
Total enrollment for Loma Linda University is approximately 4,000 students. The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program accepts 64 students each year.
Admission
Admission to the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a selective process. The criteria used to determine eligibility for admission include the completion of subject requirements, grade point average (GPA), work experience, interview, essay, and recommendations. Applications are accepted beginning August 1 with a priority deadline of November 1 for the program that begins the following June. Admission preference is given to individuals who are members in the Seventh-day Adventist church or who attend a Seventh-day Adventist college or university. However, many qualified applicants who do not fall into either of these two categories are accepted into the program each year. Applicants must complete the following minimum subject requirements: Human Anatomy and Physiology (complete sequence w/lab) or General Biology (complete sequence w/lab); General Chemistry (complete sequence w/lab); Introduction to Physics (minimum 6 quarter units, w/lab), Statistics, one additional Biology course, General Psychology, Human Growth & Development, a Communication course, and a Computer course or documentation of computer literacy. Applicants who do not have an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university must complete the following course requirements as well: 28 quarter units of Humanities with one course at the upper division level, 16 quarter units of Social Sciences with one course at the upper division level, one upper division natural science course, Freshman English sequence, Personal Health or Nutrition class, two physical education courses, and Electives to meet 138 quarter units. Applications are accepted beginning August 1 with a priority deadline of November 1 for the program that begins the following June. It is recommended that potential applicants contact Loma Linda University Department of Physical Therapy for specifics and resolution of any questions.
Outcomes
98% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 97% of the graduates pass the licensure exam (3-year average); and 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the progression MPT program is $57,500 for 2.25 years. The cost for dormitories is approximately $600 (two people) per quarter. The majority of the students in the MPT program receive financial assistance, which is coordinated through the Student Financial Aid Office.
Student life
Loma Linda University is a health science university located in southern California. In addition to the University Medical Center, the university operates a children’s hospital, community hospital, rehabilitation center, and psychiatric hospital. The university is also closely associated with the Loma Linda Veterans Administration Hospital. Housing is available on and off campus. The campus is located 22 miles from the Ontario International Airport and is within an hour’s drive of Los Angeles, coastal cities, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake, and the high and low deserts.