General Information

A unique partnership has been developed between the College of Education, the Department of Industrial Technology within the College of Technology, and the University of Michigan's Orthotics and Prosthetics Center (UMOPC), a Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the University of Michigan Health System, to offer a quality post-baccalaureate education in the profession and thus help address the international shortage of qualified practitioners in what is undoubtedly a rewarding and attractive profession.

Unique Partnership benefits students

EMU and the University of Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Center (UMOPC) are combining their resources and talents to help address the international shortage of certified practitioners. Eastern Michigan University has a national reputation for teaching excellence.

Eastern Michigan University will administer and house the didactic portion of the program. UMOPC will provide American Board of Certification (ABC) orthotists and prosthetists to teach the orthotics and prosthetics-based courses.

Laboratory space as well as clinical rotations and residencies in a hospital setting, in private practice, and in research and design will be provided in conjunction with the UMOPC and other facilities.

After completing 31 credit hours required to obtain a Graduate Certificate in Orthotics or Prosthetics, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 ("B" average) students will receive a Graduate Certificate from EMU, and will have completed 250 hours of clinical residency mandated by the National Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetics (NCOPE) as part of the required coursework.

Graduating students must subsequently complete one year of residency at a clinically affiliated site before they are eligible to take the ABC examination to become a certified orthotist (C.O.) or a Certified prosthetist (C.P.).

Help is available in finding an NCOPE-affiliated site. Typically, students can expect to be paid $18,000-30,000 for the residency. Those wishing to become a CPO/certified prosthetist and orthotist, must complete two years of residency, one year in each discipline.

When will the courses be offered

Saturdays and evenings.

Entrance Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• Must meet the requirements of Eastern Michigan University's Graduate School (www.gradord.emich.edu)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for Graduate Certificate programs, but will be required once the program is extended to a Masters Degree Program.

Prerequisite coursework - minimum standards

Following courses all with a letter grade of B or better:

• Gross Human Anatomy - theory and cadaver lab (2 semesters total),
  AND one
• Physiology course - minimum of 3 credit hours
  
  OR
  
• Anatomy and Physiology combined course (minimum 5 hours at EMU)
  
  Plus:
• Chemistry - minimum of one inorganic course
• Mathematics: a minimum of two (2) College courses, one in algebra, and one in trigonometry. Additional courses through calculus are desirable but not required for the graduate certificates
• Physics - minimum of one introductory course to include mechanics
• Psychology - minimum of one introductory course (relevant documented work experience with the physically challenged can be substituted here)
• Accounting course - ACCT 240 EMU or equivalent (relevant documented work experience can be substituted here and must be completed before SPMD665 - Administration of Orthotics and Prosthetics Facilities in the Private and Public Sector)
• Strongly recommended: Documented 3 months of experience volunteering at an Orthotic or Prosthetic facility

For more information, contact:

Dr. Douglas W. Briggs
Program Director, Graduate Certificate Programs in Orthotics or Prosthetics
HPHP College of Health and Human Services, The Porter Building,
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. 48197
E-mail: dbriggs@voyager.net