The 30-month Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics degree is designed to prepare the newest generation of Orthotist and Prosthetist professionals as client-centered clinician-scholars. The 156 credit hour curriculum consists of two connected phases of learning, a 12 month on-campus didactic-formative phase, and an 18-month off-campus evidence-based practice phase.  The 30-month continuum of learning begins with a 12-month didactic phase, where students engage in clinically oriented coursework involving client-centered assessment and treatment, movement sciences, anatomical and physiological sciences, orthosis/prosthesis engineering design and crafting, scholarly inquiry, and interprofessional collaboration. During the 18-month residency/evidence based practice phase, students are matched to a series of planned residency site rotations involving a network of clinical site preceptors and faculty that guide students to achieve individualized learning goals.

The interprofessional Orthotics and Prosthetics graduate program is housed in MWU’s College of Health Sciences, together with related rehabilitation programs such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Graduate Nurse Practitioner. As the only program of its kind in Arizona and one of just 15 nationwide, the program will leverage MWU’s strengths in interprofessional clinical care.

Leading Edge Facilities

• Gait and Motion Analysis Lab
• Clinical Skills Simulation Labs
• Human Anatomy Labs
• Clinical Assessment and Treatment Skills Lab
• Technology Design and Crafting Labs
• Machine Room
• Thermoforming Room
• Digital Shape Capture and 3-D Printing Labs

The Orthotics and Prosthetics Program at Midwestern University received approval by the state of Arizona Board of Private Post-Secondary Education in April 2022. The program is seeking accreditation by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. The program has initiated the process for submitting an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status, nor does it assure that the program will be granted Accreditation. National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education, 330 John Carlyle St., Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314, Tel: 703-836-7114 http://ncope.org/

Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics Proposed Course Sequence  (7/7/22)

Candidates for admission to the Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics degree must submit the following documented evidence:

• Completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (BA or BS) from a regionally accredited institution before matriculation
• Completion of specified sequence of prerequisite courses with grade of “C” or higher:
• Prerequisite Courses:

Notes regarding prerequisite courses:

^ANo survey courses fulfill science prerequisites.

^BNo online lab is accepted.

Life experience credits do not count toward fulfillment of any prerequisite courses.

• Courses in which “credit” or grades of “pass” are earned will be counted only when applicants can provide verification that the earned grades were equivalent to grades of C or higher (grades of C- are not acceptable).
• Completion of prerequisite courses must occur prior to matriculation.
• Applicants must determine which prerequisites are missing and which courses must be taken to fulfill any outstanding prerequisites.

• A minimum cumulative science prerequisite and undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Demonstration of excellent oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
• Successful completion of an interview (by invitation) with faculty (scheduled during final application review).
• Demonstration that applicant has thoroughly investigated the scope and profession of Orthotics and Prosthetics O&P:
  • Applications can be strengthened by:
    • Documenting a minimum of 50 hours of clinical and technical exposure (e.g., shadowing, observing, volunteering) in rehabilitation medicine and/or O&P
    • Interviews that demonstrate applicant understanding of the profession of O&P
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals that can comment on the applicant’s academic and clinical achievements and potential for successful graduate study
• Submission of a personal statement regarding interest in the field
• Successful completion and passage of Midwestern University’s Criminal Background Check
• Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy