O & P Program Frequently Asked Questions

The Baylor College of Medicine Master of Science Program in Orthotics and Prosthetics is the only program designed with the full spectrum of classroom and clinical education included as part of the curriculum. Those who complete the BCM program are board-eligible in 30 months, compared to the traditional timeline of 36-54 months. While the integrated O & P residency in unique to the BCM program, other health professions, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, utilize this model in their education with great success. With the accelerated curriculum offered by the program, BCM students are expected to dedicate themselves to their education throughout the didactic and clinical phases of the program.

Evidence-based education is the principle that education practices should be based on the best available scientific evidence, rather than tradition, personal judgement, or other influences. We integrate evidence-based education into our curriculum by interleaving orthotic and prosthetic concepts across multiple courses. Our utilization of vertical and horizontal curriculum alignment maximizes students’ learning and retention. With our integrated residency model, residents engage in experiential learning, where they learn by doing and then reflect on the experiences.

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP accreditation ensures program compliance with nationally established accreditation standards and has been recognized and peer-reviewed by the National Commission of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors.

No. Tuition and fee totals are fixed, regardless of the credit hours awarded with the degree. Credit hour listings for other O&P programs include credit only for the didactic credit hours or hours for classroom learning or training. At BCM, the total number of credit hours consists of classroom learning and training, credit hours for the clinical residency, credit hours for the clinical courses that are completed during residency, and credit hours for the work required to complete the master's thesis. The total cost of the program is fixed and equally divided across each of the terms in the 2.5-year curriculum (Fall 1, Spring 1, Fall 2, Spring 2, Fall 3).

Yes, students interact with patient models throughout their didactic curriculum. These hands-on experiences are incorporated into the core classes to ensure that students are fully prepared, comfortable, and confident entering their residency. During the didactic curriculum, the students perform over 30 patient interactions during the first year of the program. Examples of the projects during these interactions includes patient evaluation, casting, fitting, and troubleshooting of transtibial sockets, transfemoral sockets, transradial sockets, and microprocessor knees for prosthetics. Students will perform a physical examination and medical history with individuals with neurological and orthopedic impairments, cast, and fit custom molded solid ankle-foot orthoses, articulated ankle-foot orthoses, wrist hand finger orthoses, and knee-ankle-foot orthoses.

Yes, students work in our state-of-the-art fabrication facility throughout their first year and perform all NCOPE-required fabrication projects. Each student has their own space and bench in the lab, with areas for scanning, motion analysis, vacuum forming, 3D printing, and more. Students develop their skills with patient models with neurological and orthopedic impairment, and then manufacture the appropriate device from start to finish. The students fabricate, fit and trouble shoot over 20 orthoses and prostheses prior to beginning their residency.

Due to the accelerated curriculum, the BCM O & P Program meets achieves all of the required NCOPE standards within the first year of the program. The first year of the program is designed to ensure that students are fully prepared to enter residency. The didactic phase combines evidence-based coursework and training in our state-of-the-art fabrication lab with patient model interactions. At the end of the didactic year, students take their Clinical Readiness Exam (CRE). The CRE simulates a board exam experience with both written and practical aspects. Once students pass their CRE, they are ready to practice under supervision as an orthotics and prosthetics resident.

Yes, the residency program is accredited by NCOPE, and all BCM clinical mentors are NCOPE approved mentors. BCM residents hold dual resident and student status during the residency portion of the curriculum. The 18-month dual clinical residency culminates in the achievement of both Orthotic and Prosthetic competencies as defined by the National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Upon completion of the program, graduates achieve board-eligible status, meaning they are immediately qualified to sit for all orthotic and prosthetic exams offered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.

BCM students earn a Master of Science (MS) degree upon graduation. The Master of Science degree reflects the incorporation of the research requirement into the program. Students must complete a scientific thesis prior to graduation. The student masters theses contribute to the research mission of the program which includes peer-reviewed contributions to Orthotics and Prosthetics research, and collaboration with the local and national rehabilitative care community.

Unlike any other O & P educational program, residency is fully integrated and overseen by Baylor College of Medicine. BCM serves as the NCOPE approved Residency Site. At each of our Clinical Affiliates, residents are matched with a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist who is an NCOPE approved mentor. Once students pass their Clinical Readiness Exams at the end of their first year, students transition into the resident role and begin their 18-month dual clinical residency. The BCM program coordinates all clinical sites for the resident to ensure a diverse experience focused on high quality education. Within the 18-month timeline, residents complete three 4-month rotations within the first 12 months of the residency. Then, residents may complete a single 6-month rotation or two 3-month rotations for the final 6 months of the residency. During residency, students pay tuition, continue to receive support in directing the clinical residency, complete their master’s thesis project, and take courses to support what they are learning in clinical practice. The BCM residency curriculum includes guided preparation for Board Exams, which residents are eligible to sit for immediately upon completing the program.

No, residents do not get paid during residency. The focus of the residency program is education, and to ensure that residents gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become excellent clinicians. Maintaining simultaneous student and resident status ensures that residents have flexibility to train in a variety of clinical settings, focus on learning as the primary function of a resident, continue to participate in BCM coursework, and integrate service learning as desired. The BCM integrated residency model mimics the structure of our fellow allied health educational programs.

Only onsite NCOPE approved mentors can deem residents as competent in each required clinical area. During each rotation, the mentor and resident develop an individualized pathway that capitalizes on the unique opportunities available at the rotation.

All residents complete three four-month rotations during the first year of their residency. In the last six months, they either complete one six-month rotation or two three-month rotations, depending on their specific needs, interests, and preferences. Residents will be assigned to sites from our over 100 national clinical affiliate sites. Residents often move state-to-state to get the best experiences during their clinical residency. There is also opportunity for BCM residents to complete part of their training internationally at approved clinical sites.

Questions that cannot be answered via the program's site or links and resources within the institution may be addressed in email to the program at msop@bcm.edu. These requests will be responded to by one of our staff or faculty members of the program.

The number of patient encounters will be dependent on the schedule of the preceptor in each rotation. This can range from six to sixteen patients per day depending on the clinical setting. The resident is expected to accompany the preceptor into all patient appointments if possible. On average, residents log approximately 1200 cases over the 18-month period (with a typical range of 800-1400). 

Each resident is strategically placed at their rotation site. This coordination ensures that all requirements are met and that residents gain diversified experience in the delivery of high-quality Orthotic and Prosthetic care from pediatric to adult patient populations within both private and institutional settings. Structured support provided by BCM optimizes both resident learning and mentor teaching practices so that competency can achieved, as appropriate, during each timeframe.

Our students perform at rates at or above the national average for board exams. First-time passing rates for all required board exams indicate BCM graduates pass at rates 10-30% higher than non-BCM graduates participating in 18-month residency programs.

On average, 75% of BCM residents secure a job offer prior to graduation; 95% secure an offer within 3 months of graduation, and 100% of graduates secure placement within 6 months. The program provides residents support in resume writing, cover letter writing, job searches, interview skills, and salary negotiations during the residency.

We offer quarterly information sessions via Zoom for persons interested in finding out more about the orthotics and prosthetics profession and the Baylor College of Medicine O & P program.

We encourage you to visit a virtual tour of our campus and lab (Baylor College of Medicine campus and our Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab).  College guidelines permitting, we may be able to schedule in-person campus tours for program applicants on a limited basis.  Tours are guided by current students and will be offered as class schedule allows.  Please reach out to msop@bcm.edu for more information.

Although you are strongly encouraged to gain clinical experience prior to submitting your application, our program does not offer or set up opportunities for shadowing or clinical experience. You are encouraged to seek those hours and experiences at local practices. To find a practitioner in your area, visit the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics directory website.

Applicants are not required to have prior healthcare experience to submit an application for admission. Credit for experience obtained within the workplace or community setting not related to a recognized course offered by an accredited academic institution is not reviewed by the institution for the award of credit. Work experience must be evaluated for and the applicant awarded credit by another college or university before the awarded credits may be applied toward any stated program admission prerequisites.

As a private institution, the tuition and fees charged state residents and non-residents are identical.

We do not offer clinical rotation experiences to students graduating from other orthotics and prosthetics programs.

Baylor College of Medicine, as an institution, owns no dormitory facilities. Favrot Tower Apartments, a 2-3 minute walk from the College, is operated under the administrative control of the Texas Medical Center Housing Department, and operates as a service to all students and medical professionals associated with the Texas Medical Center. Community based housing, such as furnished and unfurnished apartments, condominiums, duplexes, and houses are available near the Texas Medical Center in a wide variety of styles and cost. View information about housing on the Life in Houston site.

Students are required to participate in the medical insurance plan offered by the College, unless they are covered by a comparable plan by their parent or spouse. View information in the student handbook.

O & P program students are covered by malpractice insurance while enrolled as students performing duties on a core clerkship or approved elective, either at the College or elsewhere. Activities aside from the above are not covered by Baylor malpractice insurance. See more information in the student handbook.