Orthotic Practitioner
Delivery: Daytime classes only
Start: Fall Semester only; Full-Time only
Prerequisite and General Education/MnTC courses are available in a mix of daytime, evening, and online classes; Fall, Spring, and Summer; Full- or Part-Time.
Orthotic Practitioner Advanced Specialty — Diploma (40 credits)
Admission into this program requires a special application and is highly competitive. The college may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum admission standards. See Admissions, Counseling, or the college website for the application booklet and additional information. The Orthotic and Prosthetic Practitioner Programs are in the process of transitioning to a Master’s level degree. We are working with a partner institution to offer this advanced curriculum. During this transition phase, please contact Katie Voss at 651-779-3921 or katie.voss@century.edu for current information and assistance with individual planning.
The Orthotic Practitioner program prepares you for a career as an orthotist. An orthotist cares for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and spine by providing devices known as orthoses. The orthotist's duties include assisting the physician in formulating prescriptions for orthoses, taking measurements and casts, model rectification, selection of materials and components, patient fittings, adjustments and repairs of the orthosis and maintaining patient records. After a mandatory one-year National Commission of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education approved residency, the orthotist may take the National Certification Exam.
For more information about our programs, check out our program videos at century.edu/videos.
This program is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and the Commission on Accreditation of Applied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), a branch of the American Medical Association.
Application deadline is April 30th for the following Fall start. Please refer to the program application for more information, available in the Admissions Office and online.
The following prerequisites for the Century College Orthotic Practitioner Program were established by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs:- A Bachelor's Degree in any major with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
- All of the following courses are required with a minimum grade of C. Three or 4 semester credits are recommended in each course. Acceptable Century courses in ():
- Biology (BIOL 1020 or 1041 or 1024)
- Chemistry (CHEM 1020 or 1041)
- Statistics (MATH 1025)
- Physics (PHYS 1020 or 1041 or 1081)
- Psychology (PSYC 1020 or 1041)
- Both of the following courses are required with a minimum grade of C. Minimum of 4 semester credits or 5 quarter credits in each is recommended. A combined course(s) in Anatomy & Physiology is acceptable.
- Human Anatomy, including a Lab
- Human Physiology, including a Lab
- (Century Courses – BIOL 2031 & 2032 OR BIOL 2040 & 2045 are acceptable).
- Prior technical experience in orthotics is highly recommended. Acceptable technical experience shall include:
- Graduate of an NCOPE accredited Orthotic Technician program OR
- One year of lab work experience (2080 hrs.) in the field, plus minimum fabrication requirements verified by an ABC certified orthotist OR
- Proof of current ABC Registered Technician Status
- MN Human Services Background Study: A background study will be completed for each student at the beginning of the program. Minnesota Department of Health requires any individual having contact with patients to complete a background study prior to starting the clinical experience. An individual may be disqualified from having patient contact and would not be permitted to participate in the clinical experience or to complete the program.
- Application deadline is April 30th for the following Fall start. Please refer to the program application for more information, available in the Admissions Office and online.
Orthotists
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Orthotists
Average Wage: $33.74/hour
Top Earners: $45.84/hour
(seven county metro area - www.iseek.org)
- Applied Orthotic Biomechanical Physics and Patient Analysis
- Functional Orthotic Anatomy and Pathology
- Plastic Ankle-Foot Orthoses
- Metal Knee-Ankle Foot Orthoses and Related Pathology
- Orthotic Upper Limb Anatomy and Pathology
- Orthotic Spinal Anatomy, Pathology, Patient Evaluation
- Spinal Orthoses Fittings
- Scoliosis Treatment and Cervical Traction, Mobility & Adaptive Equipment
- Orthotic Practitioner Practicum