Professional Master’s Programs

Traditionally, education in Prosthetics and Orthotics has taken the form of a baccalaureate degree program or a post-baccalaureate certificate program. More recently Master's programs in O&P were developed at Georgia Institute of Technology and Eastern Michigan University.

The Master's curriculum is more detailed and covers a broader range of current topics, including topics in device design, patient management, technology transfer, and more. A practice-oriented master’s is intended as preparation for professional practice at the frontiers of existing knowledge. Completion of the program usually is signified by the award of a degree of Master of a professional field. A research-oriented path leads to the Master's or doctoral degree with emphasis on preparation for the creation of new knowledge through research or through the development of new modes of thought or expression. Completion of the program usually is signified by the award of a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

There are two differing educational pathways within O&P. The practice degree provides vocational training while the academic degree focuses on research training. Professional/ clinically based vocational education, including entry-level practice degrees would include:

• Non-baccalaureate education
• Technical training, such as technician courses
• Experiential training
• Baccalaureate degrees
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
• Post-Baccalaureate Master’s that is a practice or professional degree per the Council of Graduate Schools and should be designated an MP (Master of Prosthetics), MO (Master of Orthotics), or MPO (Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics).

Academic/research based degrees pursued subsequent to baccalaureate education:

• Master of Science (M.S.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) and not currently available within the United States.

NOTE: There is a national agenda to transition the O&P entry-level education to a professional master’s level program by 2010 for new programs and 2012 for existing CAAHEP-accredited programs. This agenda is currently undergoing assessment and a formal expectation for this may be publicized in the near future.