Michael Sutcliffe Jr, PT, DPT, OCS
Fall 1980 - Fall 2120
Instructor I
Current Position
Biography
Dr. Michael Sutcliffe is a licensed physical therapist and core faculty member in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, where he also serves as Assistant Director of Clinical Education. He brings over a decade of clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics and sports rehabilitation, with a background in working with high-level athletes, including professional skateboarders, surfers, volleyball players, and baseball players.
Dr. Sutcliffe completed an orthopedic residency through Kaiser Permanente and has advanced training in movement analysis, injury prevention, and performance-based rehabilitation. His teaching focuses on integrating clinical reasoning, biomechanics, and patient-centered care, with an emphasis on preparing students for real-world practice. He is particularly interested in active learning strategies, clinical decision-making, and bridging the gap between foundational science and applied movement analysis.
In addition to his academic role, Dr. Sutcliffe remains engaged in clinical practice and is committed to advancing physical therapy education through innovative curriculum design and experiential learning opportunities. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership, with a focus on curriculum and instruction in hybrid learning environments.
Degrees
D.P.T., Physical Therapy , Mount Saint Mary's University , Los Angeles , California, United States
B.A., Physical Education , CSU Dominguez Hills , Carson , California, United States
A.A., General Studies , El Camino College , Torrance, California, United States
Ed.D., Leadership , American College of Education , Indianapolis , Indiana, United States
Professional Licensures (Healthcare)
PT, California, United States, PT291201, Active, 2016, August 2027
Certifications (Healthcare)
American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, Board Certification, Orthopedic Physical Therapy , 53089, 2018-06-30, 2028-06-30, California, United States
Professional Licensures and Certifications (All other/non-healthcare)
American Physical Therapy Association , Clinical Instructor Credential , Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP), Level 1 , Credentialing in clinical education, student supervision, feedback, assessment, and clinical education , February 2019, California, United States
Functional Movement Systems , Professional Certification , Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Level 1 , Training in systematic movement assessment to identify functional and non-functional movement patterns and guide clinical examination., December 2025, California, United States
Titleist Performance Institute , Professional Certification , TPI Certified, Level 1 , Training in golf-specific movement assessment and the relationship between physical function and golf performance., December 2020, California, United States
Titleist Performance Institute , Professional Certification , TPI Certified, Medical Level 2 , Advanced training in the evaluation and rehabilitation of physical impairments affecting golf-related movement and performance., December 2022, California, United States
Post-Graduate Training
Type: Residency, Kaiser Permanente , Residency, Orthopedics , Harbor City , California, United States, February 2017, February 2018
Work Experience
2025 - Ongoing
Physical Therapist, SCU Health Clinic, Whittier , California, United States
2024 - Ongoing
Physical Therapist, FeldCare , Thousand Oaks, California, United States
2019 - 2020
Physical Therapist, HealthCare Partners , Torrance, California, United States
2018 - Ongoing
Physical Therapist, Kaiser Permanente , Harbor City , California, United States
2016 - 2019
Physical Therapist, Beach Cities Orthopedics , Manhattan Beach , California, United States
2015 - 2016
PTLA/Physical Therapist, NAPA Center , Los Angeles , California, United States
Interests
Orthopedic Physical Therapy; Therapeutic Interventions; Movement Science; Exercise Prescription and Health Promotion; Professional Formation; Clinical Reasoning; Clinical Education; Psychomotor Skill Development, Hybrid Physical Therapy Education; Psychomotor Skill Development and Readiness; Clinical Readiness; Health Professions Education; Curriculum and Instruction; Student Learning and Professional Formation, Clinical Education; Student Success and Advising; Curriculum Development; Faculty Development; DPT Program Assessment and Continuous Improvement, Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy; Post-Operative Rehabilitation; Return to Sport; ACL Rehabilitation; Movement Assessment; Occupational Rehabilitation
