Educational requirements vary. Most often, students must complete a 4-year undergraduate degree in a related field (such as kinesiology and engineering), followed by a 2-year paid residency program in prosthetics and orthotics. They must then pass a national certification exam.
The following institutions offer clinical prosthetic and orthotic programs in English. These programs are accredited by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC).
The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology (GBC) in Toronto and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby both offer Clinical Methods in Orthotics and Prosthetics, which is a 2-year diploma program. Entrance requirements include a related bachelor’s degree, an admissions test, an application portfolio, and an interview.
BCIT also offers a 2-year post-graduate diploma program in prosthetics and orthotics.
BCIT and GBC students who have completed a bachelor’s degree may apply to McMaster University to pursue a master of science (M.Sc.) degree in rehabilitation science. Students complete this graduate program concurrently with the Prosthetics and Orthotics program. For more information, see the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University website.
Prosthetists and orthotists who own their own businesses may find value in having some business education to enhance their clinics.
Prosthetists and orthotists should stay on top of current practices and technologies to ensure the most up-to-date patient treatment, including the use of new technology and clinical methods.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
British Columbia Institute of Technology
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with: