Prosthetists provide patients with prostheses (artificial limbs) to replace an amputated hand, arm, foot or leg. The goal of the prosthetist is to provide the patient with increased function, such walking or grasping.
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Orthotists provide patients with orthoses (braces) to increase the stability of the spine or an extremity after injury or disease. The goal of the orthotist is to provide the patient with protection, support and, ultimately, increased function.
Continuing Education Opportunities: Prosthetic & Orthotic Review Courses
The Prosthetics-Orthotics Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas will change to their Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics degree beginning in May 2010. The last Bachelors degree class will enter in May 2009. This change is consistent with a recent decision by NCOPE (National Commission on Orthotic Prosthetic Education) to make the Masters degree the minimum entry level for new prosthetic-orthotic practitioners.
The admission requirements for the new Masters degree program are:
- a Bachelors degree, preferably in a related field, such as:
o Biology
o Biomechanics
o Physics
o Mechanical Engineering
o Biomechanical Engineering
o Kinesiology
- Biology with lab (8 hrs) (for science majors)
- Physics with lab (8 hrs) (for science majors)
- Chemistry with lab (4 hrs)
- Anatomy & Physiology with lab (8 hrs)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 hrs)
- Human Growth and Development (3 hrs)
- Statistics (3 hrs)
- College algebra or higher (3 hrs)
- we recommend, but do not require courses in economics and accounting
Prospective students who have begun working on admission requirements for our current Bachelors degree program (but who will not be finished before our change to a Masters degree takes effect) will see that their work to date is very compatible with completion of a Bachelors degree and completion of the new admission requirements for our Masters degree.
As we change to a Masters degree, we will retain our current application cycle (June 1 through January 31) and start date (summer semester, 3rd week of May). The new program will consist of five consecutive semesters, ending in December of the second year.
