Prosthetics and Orthotics (Masters)
Post Baccalaureate Entry into the Masters in Prosthetics and Orthotics
Admission into the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) program is offered to those who hold a bachelor's degree, have completed the prerequisite courses, and otherwise qualify for admission. This is a full-time, on-campus program which prepares students for entry into the fields of prosthetics and orthotics. The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences also offers an online graduate program for current prosthetists and orthotists. See Transitional MSPO.
Prosthetists design, fabricate and fit devices known as prostheses (artificial limbs) for individuals who have partial or total absence of a limb. Orthotists design and fit devices known as orthoses (orthopedic braces) to enhance function and provide care for patients who have disabling conditions of the limbs and spine. New design innovations and advances in technology are offering dramatic benefits to people who utilize prostheses or orthoses. For example, advanced prosthetic knees can be controlled by micro-processors to allow clients to have a more normal walking pattern. Braces equipped with Bluetooth devices can electronically interface with nerves to enhance motor control. This exciting combination of material science, engineering and healthcare makes the prosthetist/orthotist a uniquely qualified member of today's health care team. Just as the technology has advanced, so too has the challenge of educating professionals in the prosthetics and orthotics field.
The National Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) has mandated that all Prosthetics and Orthotic educational programs be elevated to the Masters Degree level by 2012.
Accreditation: The Prosthetics and Orthotics Program offered by the Newington Certificate Program (NCP) in Orthotics and Prosthetics/Hanger Inc. joined with the University of Hartford to offer the MSPO Program. The NCP is fully accredited as an orthotic and prosthetic education program by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) also accredits the program. Both CAAHEP and NCOPE identified a formal program transfer providing the University of Hartford with directorial authorities and responsibilities as of November 18, 2011. Additionally, the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics has been approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education.
Our faculty is made up of expert clinicians with advanced degrees who are committed to advancing the profession of prosthetics and orthotics and mentoring those who will become the new professionals of tomorrow. Our graduates will be prepared to meet the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic challenges of our changing health care system.
For more information about the fields of Prosthetics and Orthotics, visit the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics.
PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS
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LOOKING BACK - NEWS CLIP INTRODUCES PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS PROGRAM
West Hartford LocalOnlineNews (April 2009) spotlights Prosthetics and Orthotics Program.
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