Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Studies
This one-of-a-kind orthotics and prosthetics program puts you on the fast track to a growing profession.
Oakland University offers the nation’s first accredited college program in orthotist and prosthetist assistant studies. By earning our exercise science degree with a concentration in orthotist and prosthetist assistant studies, you will gain specialized skills that will enable future employment in orthotist and prosthetist assistant jobs. Our orthotist and prosthetist assistant program also provides exceptional preparation for enrollment in nationally-accredited, master’s-level clinical programs.
Oakland University offers the nation’s first accredited college program in orthotist and prosthetist assistant studies. By earning our exercise science degree with a concentration in orthotist and prosthetist assistant studies, you will gain specialized skills that will enable future employment in orthotist and prosthetist assistant jobs. Our orthotist and prosthetist assistant program also provides exceptional preparation for enrollment in nationally-accredited, master’s-level clinical programs.
Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant: The Oakland University Advantage
Oakland worked closely with orthotist and prosthetist accrediting agencies, employers and members of the community – students, graduates, patients and physical therapists – to create the nation’s first accredited college program in orthotist and prosthetist assistant studies. You’ll acquire competency in prevalent clinical, patient management, materials, and fabrication and design skills that align with understanding diagnosis and intervention, providing you with overwhelming advantages for immediate employment in orthotist and prosthetist assistant positions.
Oakland’s one-of-a-kind orthotist and prosthetist assistant studies program excels for its:
- Accredited curriculum. Our orthotics and prosthetics assistant program is fully-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), following recommendation from the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE).
- Elite faculty. You’ll learn directly from certified clinicians in orthotics and prosthetics, and gain support from the industry’s and University’s business, research and manufacturing branches.
- Practical skill development. Oakland’s orthotist and prosthetist assistant program emphasizes job-ready skills that have immediate value in the workplace. You’ll develop skills and competencies in clinical interventions, fitting and adjustment, specialized equipment usage, materials, design understandings, and – most importantly – patient care and communication.
- Real-world experience. The coursework component of the orthotist and prosthetist assistant program is supplemented by in-person training at our clinical partners patient care divisions. You’ll work alongside professional prosthetists and orthotists, developing job-ready skills that translate directly to the workplace.
- Collaboration with aligned disciplines. The orthotist and prosthetist assistant program works in close partnership with Oakland University’s outstanding exercise science and physical therapy programs. These collaborations broaden your base of knowledge and experience, greatly enhancing your career opportunities and earning potential.
Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Job Opportunities
Like a physician’s assistant or physical therapy assistant, an orthotist and prosthetist assistant is an integral part of the clinical care team. With the United States facing a shortage of orthotists and prosthetists, there is growing demand for orthotist and prosthetist assistants who can help meet the shortfall in care.
Our orthotist and prosthetist assistant program can serve as an excellent step toward eventual enrollment in a postgraduate orthotist and prosthetist clinician program. If you choose to enter the workforce, this program gives you a broad base of skills that supports many different career paths.
Top Courses for Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Studies
The Exercise Science degree with concentration in Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Studies begins with 32 credits of foundational coursework in biology, anatomy, physics, and chemistry. You’ll also take required core courses in psychology, exercise science, physiology, biomechanics, health behaviors, and statistical concepts.
To complete the orthotist and prosthetist assistant program, you’ll take 23 credits of coursework in specialized subjects such as:
- Practice/Patient Management
- Clinical assessment
- Fit, function, and modifications
- Neuropathic disorders
- Spinal Pathologies and Orthotic Interventions
- Upper extremity pathologies and interventions in prosthetics and orthotics
- Lower extremity pathologies and interventions in prosthetics and orthotics
Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Program Resources
Programs Related to Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant Studies
Not sure if the orthotist and prosthetist assistant program is right for you? Check out these other undergraduate programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.