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College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions

MS in Prosthetics and Orthotics

At a Glance

This program collaborates with Hanger Clinic to offer a Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics. Professionals in this field design, fabricate, and fit orthoses and prostheses for a range of clients from pediatric to geriatric. There is also a five-year combined BS/MSPO program offered.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Master of Science

60

About

The Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) is a full-time, on-campus program that prepares students for entry into the fields of prosthetics and orthotics. We are one of 13 accredited MSPO programs in the United States. According to U.S. News and Report, Orthotist & Prosthetist are ranked #16 in their list of 100 Best Jobs!

Admission into the program is offered to those who hold a bachelor's degree, have completed the prerequisite courses, and otherwise qualify for admission.

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male student working in lab

Blending material science, engineering, and health care 

Prosthetists design, fabricate, and fit devices known as prostheses (artificial limbs) for individuals who have partial or total absence of a limb.

Orthotists design and fit devices known as orthoses (orthopedic braces) to enhance function and provide care for patients who have disabling conditions of the limbs and spine.

New design innovations and advances in technology offer dramatic benefits to people who utilize prostheses or orthoses. For example, advanced prosthetic knees can be controlled by microprocessors that improve gait stability and walking pattern efficiency. Othoses equipped with Bluetooth devices can electronically interface with nerves to enhance motor control. The exciting combination of material science, engineering, and health care makes the prosthetist/orthotist a uniquely qualified member of today's healthcare team. Just as the technology has advanced, so too, has the challenge of educating future orthotic and prosthetic clinicians.

Our faculty is made up of expert clinicians with advanced degrees who are committed to advancing the profession of prosthetics and orthotics and mentoring those who will become the new professionals of tomorrow. Our graduates are prepared to meet the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic challenges of our changing healthcare system.

For more information about the fields of prosthetics and orthotics, visit the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics or Whatispop.org

Program Requirements

Upon completion of the degree requirements, all graduates are mandated to participate in a postgraduate, two-year residency as a prerequisite for the board certification exams. These residency programs are located in hospitals, research centers, private patient care facilities, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities.

The MSPO is a 60 credit, two-year, full-time program. A sample of courses is listed below.  

For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.

MSPO I

Gross Anatomy
Kinesiology
Lower-Limb Orthotics
Biomechanics
Material Methods in Prosthetics and Orthotics
Spinal Orthotics

MSPO II

Scientific Inquiry II
Upper-Limb Orthotics
Neuroscience
Upper-Limb Prosthetics
Integrated Internship
Advanced Pediatric Examination and Intervention

The Hursey Center - Our Academic Building

students in prosthetics classroom

The Hursey Center includes state-of-the-art labs and classrooms for ENHP students. Facilities include labs for motion analysis, human performance, physical therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, nursing simulation and more. 

Clinical Education Facility

In addition to the on-campus resources, students in the graduate program will have clinical educational experiences at the Clinical Education Center located in Cromwell, Connecticut. This facility provides the student with a comprehensive experience in patient care and device fabrication.
We provide multiple opportunities for you to learn more about our program through virtual and on-campus connection sessions.
  • Join us on campus at one of our upcoming fall open house experiences. Register
  • Schedule a tour at your own convenience so you can see campus and meet with the program staff and faculty. Schedule tour

Duffy Felmlee

Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences

As a clinician and researcher, Felmlee has a unique understanding of what it means to translate knowledge from the lab to day-to-day practice. Through his work with the Combat Wounded Veterans' Challenge, he studies the use of prosthetics while scuba diving. This type of aquatic rehabilitation provides social and physiological benefits to the veterans. Read more  

“There are so many avenues of impact in prosthetics and orthotics, whether it’s research or education or business. Patient care extends beyond the clinical setting—even to scuba diving."

Admission

Post-baccalaureate students may apply to the MSPO program. An overall GPA of 3.2 is preferred. Students must have earned at least a "C" or 2.0 grade in each of the prerequisite courses. While GRE test scores are not required, they may be submitted to strengthen the application. The Admission Committee will consider all application materials. Candidates will be accepted on a competitive basis.  The priority deadline for receipt of all application materials is December 1.

Application Requirements:

  • Non-refundable application fee of $50 for those applying directly through UHart. OPCAS applicants are required to pay a non-refundable processing fee as designated by OPCAS in lieu of an application fee.
  • Letter of Intent
  • Official transcripts for all collegiate level coursework
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • GRE scores are not required but can be submitted to strengthen your application

International applicants:

  • Transcript evaluation: All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member, such as WESIEE, or SpanTran. If the transcript is written in English, a course-by-course evaluation is still required, as grading systems vary from country to country. 
  • Non-native speakers of the English language are required to submit scores from one of the following English-proficiency tests. Countries that are considered native English speaking can be found here.
    • TOEFL: minimum of 80 (Internet-based test – iBT), and 550 (Paper-based test – PBT Total).
    • PTE: minimum score of 58
    • IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall
    • Duolingo: minimum score of 110 combined

The MSPO program starts classes the first week of June. The admissions committee will conduct a fair and thorough process for all applicants. Applicants submitting their completed application prior to December 1 will receive preferred notification. The application window allows us the opportunity to provide our accepted students sufficient time to make preparations to attend.

All prerequisite courses must be satisfactorily completed prior to the start of the program. See a list of the MSPO prerequisite courses below.

Meet Your Success Counselor

Shannon Saleeba
Assistant Director of Graduate Success
Division of Graduate and Professional Studies

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Faculty

Matthew Parente
Program Director of Prosthetics and Orthotics; Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
Rehabilitation Sciences

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Stephen Charry
Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
Rehabilitation Sciences

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Duffy Felmlee
Clinical/Applied Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences; Director of Transitional Prosthetics and Orthotics Program
Rehabilitation Sciences

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Lindi Mitsou
Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Prosthetics & Orthotics
Rehabilitation Sciences

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Abby Hoffman-Finitsis
Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
Rehabilitation Sciences

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MSPO Prerequisite Courses

Biology 1 - 4 credits
General Physics 1 & 2 with lab - 8 credits
Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab - 8 credits
Chemistry with lab - 4 credits
Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
Human Growth and Development OR Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits 
Statistics - 3 credits
Trigonometry - 3 credits

If this list of prerequisite courses differs from the official University of Hartford Graduate Bulletin, the University Bulletin takes precedence.

Additional Information

Graduation Year Students Pursuing/ Graduating Graduation Rate Graduates Seeking Residency Graduates Positively Placed Positive Placement Rate
2021 25/23 92% 21 21 100%
2022 26/26 100% 25 25 100%
2023 28/27 96% 26 26 100%

 

Provide entry-level clinical services in a safe, legal, ethical, and professional manner while providing patient-centered care.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • practice in a safe manner.
  • demonstrate professional behavior.
  • practice in a manner consistent with established legal and professional standards and ethical guidelines.
  • be prepared to enter financial management (purchasing, billing and reimbursement, time, space, equipment, marketing, public relationships) consistent with regulatory, legal, and facility guidelines.

Employ effective communication strategies with colleagues, clients, and the public.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • adapt delivery of prosthetics and orthotics services with consideration for patients' differences, values, preferences, and needs.
  • employ effective communication strategies.
  • Communicate consistent with the knowledge level of the audience.

Engage in the process of evidence-based practice, scientific inquiry, and development of new knowledge.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • create and defend a research plan.
  • apply current knowledge, clinical judgment, and the patient's values and perspective in patient management.
  • collect and analyze data from selected outcomes measures in a manner that supports accurate analysis of individual patient and group outcomes.
  • perform a patient examination using evidence-based tests and measures.
  • establish a plan of care that is evidence-based.

Embrace the role of collaboration as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • participate in internship opportunities in diverse settings.
  • have opportunities to participate in collaborative learning with other healthcare professionals.
  • have the ability to engage in identifying unique standards of practice within the healthcare community.
  • engage in community service.
  • connect to a core of clinical adjunct faculty who provide liaisons with local clinical sites.

Value cultural diversity within the profession and the community.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • adapt delivery of prosthetics and orthotics services with consideration for patients' differences, values, preferences, and needs.
  • apply current knowledge, clinical judgment, and the patient’s values and perspective in patient management.
  • establish a plan of care that is safe, effective, patient centered and evidence based.
  • determine with each patient encounter the patient’s need for further examination or consultation

Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge of the fundamental science in human function into a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • identify areas of basic human function (physical, cognitive, social, physiological) and incorporate them into patient assessment.
  • apply foundational sciences throughout the assessment, formulation, implementation, and follow-up phases of treatment plan.

Assume a proactive role in partnership with communities in healthcare decisions, including increasing access to healthcare to those with unmet needs.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • be familiar with local and national resources available to patients (e.g. support groups, free clinics, pro bono opportunities).
  • offer/provide appropriate prosthetics/orthotics perspective within the healthcare team's treatment plan.

Participate in outcome assessments, peer reviews, and self assessments.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • identify the level of appropriate participation for each assessment.
  • hold a constructive role in critiquing, collaborating, or conducting various assessments.

The MSPO Program will

  • use outcomes data collected through post-graduation surveys of alumni, employer, and patients to enhance/update any programmatic aspects.
  • consider any recommendations to continue academic improvement.

Foster a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • embrace knowledge-based practice within the healthcare arena.
  • seek out continuing-education opportunities to expand professional knowledge.
  • change environment through fostering continuing-educational opportunities in clinical staff and/or peers.
  • foster professional development through leadership and participation in professional organizations.

Become critical thinkers who are academically and clinically prepared to meet professional standards and address patient expectations.

Upon successful completion of the program, the students/graduates will:

  • utilize and interpret evidence-based practice appropriate to individual patients during treatment.
  • demonstrate appropriate perspective to maximize functional attributes of the patient.
  • employ critical thinking when applying appropriate treatment outcomes.
  • Think critically when viewing profession as a whole.

For the most up-to-date information, see the Graduate Tuition and Fees page.

Tuition rates and fees are subject to change

To discuss ways to finance your program of study, contact the Financial Aid Office:

860.768.4296
finaid@mxy163.com

Program Contact

Heather Johnson
Program Specialist
Prosthetics and Orthotics Program
860.768.5207
hejohnson@mxy163.com

Graduate Admission Office
860.768.4371
800.945.0712
GradStudy@mxy163.com

Accreditation

The Prosthetics and Orthotics program offered by the Newington Certificate Program (NCP) in Orthotics and Prosthetics/Hanger Inc. joined with the University of Hartford to offer the MSPO Program in 2011. Our MSPO program is fully accredited as an orthotic and prosthetic education program by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) also accredits the program. Additionally, the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics has been approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

Professional Licensing disclosure

As a CAAHEP-accredited program, graduates are eligible to initiate a NCOPE-accredited residency. Upon completion of this residency, candidates are eligible to sit for the American Board of Certification (ABC) practitioner certification exams. Please click here to read the full ABC requirements. Successful completion of these steps and additional criteria may be required for an individual to become licensed by an individual state. An interactive map of state licensing requirements may be found here.

Newington Certificate program transcripts
Graduates of the Newington Certificate Program requesting transcripts may email Matthew Parente at mparente@mxy163.com. Please provide your name at the time of graduation, your graduation year(s), and the email address where digital copies should be sent.

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