The National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) announced that the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has approved the revised Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Educational Programs in Orthotics and Prosthetics. CAAHEP approved the standards revisions at its July 23 meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
CAAHEP’s approval is the culmination of a five-year effort during which NCOPE has worked closely with education consultants and educators to revise the standards and bring the minimum education level for the orthotic and prosthetic profession to a master’s degree.
“NCOPE is very proud of the CAAHEP acceptance of the revised standards for the master’s-level O&P curriculum,” said NCOPE Executive Director Robin Seabrook. “Educators and those in the profession have long felt that this is a much needed move and a positive step in the evolution of this profession.”
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) has issued a public announcement of its support for the revised standards.
“ABC fully supports this positive step for the O&P profession,” said ABC Executive Director Cathy Carter. “We are excited about looking to the future and the evolution of the profession…. ABC commends NCOPE on achieving this extremely important milestone.”
According to NCOPE, the new standards are effective immediately for any new programs seeking accreditation. All currently accredited programs will transition to the new standards by the end of 2012. Certificate-level programs may continue to enroll and graduate students that are extending their education to the other discipline until the end of 2014.
For more information on the new standards and the transition of current programs to the new standards, contact Robin Seabrook at rseabrook@ncope.org
