Masters (Coursework)
Prosthetics and orthotics is the clinical discipline related to the provision of prostheses (artificial limbs) to people with amputations, and orthoses (supportive devices), to people with musculoskeletal weakness or neurological disorders. You will acquire theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and prosthetic and orthotic prescription, design and fabrication, enhanced by strong practical skills in research methodology, clinical assessment, and the application of prosthetic and orthotic techniques.
In first year, you will develop skills in foot orthotics, foot and ankle orthotics, management of the upper limb transtibial prosthetics and clinical research. This is followed by 12 months of clinical theory and practice, with a focus on complex prosthetics and orthotics, while primarily located in a clinical environment.
Clinical practice and theory may be held outside official University semester dates.
For more information please visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9.
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
Core subjects are required subjects within your course.
Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE LTU0AIM 1 0 APPLIED CLINICAL RESEARCH IN PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS POR3ACR 1 15 CLINICAL FOOT ANKLE ORTHOTICS POR4CFA 1 15 CLINICAL TRANSTIBIAL PROSTHETICS POR3CTT 1 15 EVIDENCE OF FOOT ANKLE ORTHOTICS POR4EFA 1 15 EVIDENCE OF TRANSTIBIAL PROSTHETICS POR3ETT 1 15 EXTENDED ORTHOTIC MANAGEMENT OF THE FOOT POR3EOF 1 15 MANAGEMENT OF THE UPPER LIMB POR4MUL 1 15 SEMINARS IN CLINICAL RESEARCH POR4SCR 1 15 CLINICAL EDUCATION IN PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS A POR5CEA 2 30 EXTENDED CLINICAL EDUCATION POR5ECE 2 30 EXTENDED EVIDENCE BASED ORTHOTIC MANAGEMENT OF THE LOWER LIMB POR5ELO 2 30 EXTENDED LOWER LIMB PROSTHETICS POR5ELP 2 30The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
To view other campus handbook course details, please select relevant campus in the drop down.
Prosthetist-orthotists are integral members of healthcare teams. Graduates can find work in major hospitals, private prosthetic-orthotic facilities and other agencies. Graduates also have the skills to perform clinical, technical, advisory and educational roles. Graduates are eligible to work in many overseas locations once they meet national professional recognition or certification, e.g., Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) in the UK.
Professional recognitionThe Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics is accredited by the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA). Professional membership may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.