Admission

Applying to the Master of Orthotics and Prosthetics (MSOP) Program at East Tennessee State University

How to Apply:

1. Apply through the Orthotics and Prosthetics Centralized Application system (OPCAS)

2. Applicants must also apply for graduate admission to ETSU through the application to the ETSU Graduate School   (this application requires a $55  non-refundable application fee for domestic applicants or a $65 non-refundable application fee for international applicants.)

When to Apply: 

Applications are now open for the January 2026 cohort!

• Early application deadline of June 2, 2025
• Final application deadline is September 1, 2025

 

• Application Information

  The Orthotics and Prosthetics Program can admit up to 14 students to begin matriculation in the spring semester (January) of each year. The program is full-time and 2 years in length.

  Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications and supporting materials (letters of recommendation and official transcripts) are complete by the application deadline date of September 1st.

  Tentative Admission Timeline:

  • Early application deadline: June 2

  • Final application deadline: September 1

  • Interviews in late September or early October

  • Admission offers sent out via email in October

  • Program starts in January 2026

• Obervation Hours/Clinical Experience

  There is no specific number of clinical hours required; however, each applicant is encouraged to have thoroughly investigated the scope and profession of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Applicants’ understanding of the profession will be considered in their interview.

  We do ask that you submit a log of hours completed in the application process.

• Eligibility Requirements

  To be considered for admission, applicants must have completed, submitted, or met the requirements in items 2-8 below by the application deadline for the application to be eligible for consideration. 

  Applicants may be enrolled in prerequisite courses or in process of completion of the bachelor's degree at the time of application; however, you must be able to successfully complete all prerequisite courses and/or earn the bachelor's degree prior to starting the program. 

  1. Attainment of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or equivalent). Intl degrees must be evaluated by WES;

  2. Have an overall GPA of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework (domestic students) or overall GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) international students;

  3. Have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the prerequisite courses;
     
     

  4. Completion of prerequisite courses; no grade in a prerequisite course may be less than a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale);

  5. Submit a log of observation hours;

  6. Three (3) letters of recommendation with at least one (1) letter of recommendation preferred from a licensed and/or ABC certified orthotist/prosthetist professional.

   

  Along with a positive evaluation after an interview with the Orthotics and Prosthetics Admissions Committee.

  GRE is NOT required

   

• Prerequisite Courses

  Courses - Credit Hours

  Statistics or Research Methods - 3

  General Biology with lab - 4

  General Chemistry with lab - 4

  General Physics with lab - 4

  Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (8 credits) OR Human Anatomy with lab (4 credits) and Human Physiology with lab (4 credits)

  Psychology - 3

  Math (Algebra and Trigonometry OR higher) - 3

Application and Admission Process

After the application closes the faculty will review applications and make interview offers. Interviews are expected to happen in late September or early October. Admission offers will go out in October 2024

Starting with those applying to the January 2026 program, students will apply to the ETSU MSOP degree through the Orthotics and Prosthetics Centralized Application Service (OPCAS) in addition to the ETSU Graduate School application.  Applicants that are accepted to the MSOP degree also must be accepted to the ETSU graduate school.

Retention Requirements

The program will follow ETSU standards for Graduate Academic Retention Standards.

Students in the MSOP degree must meet the retention standards as set forth for graduate students by the Graduate School and by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Faculty. Grades shall be issued based on the 4.0 scale as set forth in 6/11/2021 Acalog ACMS™.

A student pursuing the MSOP degree will be considered deficient for any course grade less than a "C" (2.0) or when the overall grade point average per semester or for all semesters completed in the program is less than a "B" (3.0). Traditional entry students will matriculate through a fixed, prescribed curriculum in a two-year, full-time Master of Science degree. The Orthotics and Prosthetics faculty will meet, at a minimum at the end of each semester to determine whether each student should be promoted to the next semester, be placed on probation, or be required to remediate any deficiencies before proceeding to the next semester of study. Promotion will be determined by the student's didactic performance, clinical performance, and professional behavior.