Prosthetics & Orthotics Degree Program

The Prosthetics and Orthotics Curriculum at the University of Washington is a division of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in the School of Medicine. The Division offers a Bachelor of Science degree consisting of a two-year preparatory phase of general education and prerequisite coursework, and a two-year professional phase after acceptance into the program. The curriculum was established in 1970 and has the unique characteristic of being integrated with the Physical and Occupational Therapy curricula during the first year of didactic coursework. The University of Washington Prosthetics-Orthotics Curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, Florida  33756
phone:  727-210-2350
fax:  727-210-2354
(www.caahep.org)

The prosthetic-orthotic degree is recognized as a broad, undifferentiated degree requiring the acquisition of general knowledge and basic skills in all applicable domains of medicine. The education of a prosthetist-orthotist requires assimilation of knowledge, acquisition of skills, and development of judgment through patient care, experience in preparation for independent and appropriate decisions required in practice. The current practice of prosthetics and orthotics emphasizes collaboration among other allied health care professionals, the patient, and the patient's family and caregiver.

Upon successful completion of the program, the University of Washington School of Medicine awards students a Bachelor of Science degree. Following graduation, the student must complete a one-year residency in each discipline at a National Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetics Education (NCOPE) approved site. This residency requirement must be completed for eligibility to apply for the National Certification Boards administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, 330 John Carlyle Dr., Suite 210, Alexandria, VA, 22314. Phone 703-836-7114 or view information online at www.abcop.org.

As an accredited program, the University of Washington curriculum in Prosthetics-Orthotics adheres to the standards and guidelines of the National Commission on Prosthetics and Orthotics Education.

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