What is the function of the NCOPE regarding Orthotics and Prosthetics education?
Accrediting master's degree programs in Orthotics and Prosthetics
The National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education, or NCOPE, holds a significant gatekeeping role within the academic framework necessary for clinical specialization. Its primary function is to evaluate and grant accreditation status to educational programs that offer degrees in Orthotics and Prosthetics. For an individual seeking to become a certified O&P, graduating from a program officially accredited by NCOPE is a mandatory prerequisite for eligibility to pursue subsequent supervised residency training and eventually sit for the certification examinations administered by bodies like the ABC. This ensures a baseline level of academic quality and consistency across educational institutions preparing future clinicians.
