Dear List,
About a year ago I started a discussion about the availability of online or
distance learning doctoral programs in O&P; many practitioners expressed
interest, however there were very few substantial replies due to the fact
that indeed, there were very few programs out there and next to zero in
online format (at the end of this post you will find a compilation of the
responses I received last year).
I did not give up and kept on searching. I found doctoral distance learning
programs, offered by Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
Here is the link: http://www.nova.edu/cah/ They offer 2 types of doctoral
degrees – a PhD and a DHSc (Doctor of Health Science). You may download a
brochure to learn more. The tuition is about 10-20% lower than in major
online universities, such as Walden or Phoenix. Nova is very popular among
physical therapists and nurses, who want to obtain advanced degrees. The
next class starts this July. I applied and got accepted. Who wants to join
in? There is still plenty of time to apply. Let’s create an O&P core in that
University!!!
These are the responses received last year:
In response to my original query:
*I am researching an availability of online and/or distance learning
doctoral programs related to O&P/Rehabilitation/Healthcare. I would like to
hear from those distinguished individuals who have achieved the doctoratelevel
and who are willing to share their experiences; and also, I would like to
exchange ideas with O&P professionals who hold Master of Science Degrees and
are researching an appropriate path toward the highest level. *
I received only one substantial response. Here it is:
*I graduated from Georgia Tech’s Master’s program in prosthetics and
orthotics several years ago. After getting my certification and working in
clinical setting I desired to continue my education, specifically with the
intention of improving research geared towards prosthetics and
orthotics. The available PhD programs for this are scarce. As a result
I had to expand my search to pursue my PhD. I began thinking of the
different aspects of prosthetics and orthotics. Very simply, to me there is
the issue of biomechanics/gait, materials science/engineering, and
rehabilitation techniques. I quickly moved past the idea of rehabilitation
techniques as this to me represented a clinical forum which I am confident
that furthering my basic science skills would allow me to expand my current
clinical/rehab knowledge. So ultimately, I saw it as a determination of
whether I wanted to pursue biomechanics/gait or materials
science/engineering. This is what I would recommend to anyone that is
desiring to continue towards a more terminal degree; decide which of these
two areas are more in line with your interests/desires.
For me it was biomechanics/gait. I am currently finishing my first year at
the University of Nebraska Medical Center working on several projects in the
Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility. There is little work on prosthetics
and orthotics right now. I am however building an AFO device to be tested
on individuals and in addition my work on gait/biomechanics is easily
applicable to a situation of prosthetics and orthotics, although it
will most likely not be until I am in my own university lab that I will be
able to take the knowledge gained and combine it with my knowledge of
prosthetics and orthotics to apply directly to those patient populations
utilizing the devices. It is important to remember that one of the most
significant contributors to the field of prosthetics, Charles Radcliffe, was
not a prosthetist but rather a biomechanist (Shane Wurdeman, MSPO, CP).*
Personally, I received my MSc in Rehabilitation Studies from University of
Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. It was a distance learning program with annual
residency weeks. I think it was a very good program, relatively inexpensive
and fun too. Now I am exploring possible options in even further
advancement. The following link provides a general overview of distance
learning/online doctoral programs:
It also suggests several leading Universities where such degree may be
achieved. However, the closest concentration I was able to find was “Doctor
of Health Administration”. This program if offered by several Universities
in a distance learning format. My favorite is Capella University, based on
the structure of the program. University of Phoenix is another major
institution. However, these degrees are more about management, not the
applied science, most of the O&P practitioners would prefer.
There are doctoral programs in O&P, however they are only for full time
students, which might not be acceptable for most practitioners:
University of Washington’s PhD Program in Rehabilitation
Science
and Georgia Institute of Technology
in Applied Physiology.
An interesting option is being offered by Warnborough College,
Ireland:
They have several pathways toward achieving a PhD degree. Although PhD by
instruction is not offered in Healthcare, the description of their PhD
programs by Research only:
http://www.warnborough.ie/faculties/graduate_research.htm, implies that one
may choose any field of study in which to write a dissertation. I have not
contacted them yet, therefore, this assumption shall be further verified.
PhD in Research only requires a much more substantial dissertation as
compared to combined programs. I assume, there shall be more Universities
that offer such research programs.
Should anybody obtain more information or learn about other interesting
options in respect to PhD degrees in Rehabilitation, please share with this
virtual community. There were big names in O&P, educators, like Richard
Lehneis, PhD, Sid Fishman, PhD, Timothy Staats, Ed.D. What happened? With
all the research that goes on, we should have many more names like that. I
looked up Uni. of Washington and Georgia Tech’s faculty and found only ONE
certified O&P practitioner with a PhD. The third edition of Atlas of
Amputations and limb deficiencies is a substantial work. About 90 writers
contributed to the creation of this reference. None of the O&P practitioners
have a doctorate degree. Please, correct me if I am wrong. We must bring our
profession to a higher standard.
—
*Stephan R. Manucharian, M.A., MSc, CP, BOCO, LP(NJ)
Clinical Director
Orthopedic Arts Laboratory, Inc.
141 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-2400; Fax: 718-858-9258;
http://www.OrthopedicArts.net
Non est vivere sed valere vita est!
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