MS Curriculum

Prerequisites & Admissions Application Curriculum Fees O&P Home

MS CURRICULUM SEQUENCE AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Note: This list of courses is submitted as a proposed Curriculum Sequence; with cross references to CSUDH Program Level Outcomes. Students should plan to progress through the sequence as a class cohort; the only time a student would take a course out of sequence would be if a course had to be retaken, or a student was permitted time away from the program.

Curriculum Sequence

Last Updated: 12/3/2024

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Course Descriptions for MS in Health Science, Orthotics and Prosthetic Option

HEA 435 - Orthotics Soft Goods Fitters Course (1)

Prerequisites: BIO 250 and BIO 251, or equivalent Anatomy and Physiology with Lab.

Comprehensive study of short-term, custom-fitted orthoses for the management of the spine, upper and lower limbs. It includes evaluation, assessment, treatment plan formulation, implementation of the plan, and follow-up.; Fittings of selected orthoses are included.

HEA 445 - Material Science and Laboratory Skills (2)

Study of various chemical and physical properties of materials and the relationship and implications of those properties in orthotic-prosthetic design and fabrication. Development of specific laboratory competencies on O&P tools, techniques, and materials.

HEA 455 - Applied Anatomy (1)

Prerequisites: BIO 250 and BIO 251, or equivalent Anatomy and Physiology with Lab.

A focused course in human anatomy that uses a combined regional and systemic approach to examine the relationships and organization of the major structures within the body as they relate to Orthotic and Prosthetic application and design.

HSC 500 - Health Care Leadership and Management (3)

Examines the structure, management, and interrelationship of health care organizations across the spectrum of care in light of classical and contemporary management theory, and provides understanding of the unique relationship within and between health care organizations and professionals.

HSC 501 - Advanced Research Methods in Health Science (1-3; variable)

Prerequisites: HSC 492 or equivalent and MAT 131 or equivalent.

Theory and practice of experimental, correlation and descriptive research. Computer application of statistical packages to data sets. One hour of lecture and one hour of laboratory per week.

HEA 508 - Clinical Pathology for Orthotists & Prosthetists (3)

Prerequisites: HEA 455, or consent of instructor

Examination of the etiology, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment, prognosis and social implications of pathological conditions associated with numerous diseases and traumatic injuries that require orthotic and/or prosthetic intervention. Includes introductory Neuroscience and neural disorders encountered in practice.

HEA 516 - Clinical Evaluation Tools in Orthotics and Prosthetics (2)

Prerequisites: HEA 455, or consent of instructor

Focus on the multitude of standardized clinical assessment tools to be appropriately used in concert with the clinical examination, as well as evidence from the literature, to determine the need for orthotic-prosthetic services and design optimal intervention strategies.

HEA 535 - Practice Management for Orthotics and Prosthetics (2)

Prerequisites: HSC 500, or consent of instructor

This course will address general business practice within orthotic-prosthetic practice, including its role in clinical decision making, documentation, time management and compliance with regulatory agencies, reimbursement and human resource management.

HEA 536 - Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (1)

Prerequisites: HSC 500, or consent of instructor

Application of psychological concepts to illness and disability. Awareness of social supports and constraints, activities across the lifespan, and integration of these factors into clinical practice. Strategies for dealing with patients in distress, and symptoms requiring referral to other professionals.

HEA 540 - Orthotic Management of the Upper Limb (3)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, HEA 545

Comprehensive study of short- and long-term upper limb orthotic patient management. It includes evaluation and assessment, treatment plan formulation, implementation of the plan, and follow-up. Fabrication and fitting of finger, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, humeral, and shoulder orthoses.

HEA 541 - Orthotic Management of the Lower Limb I (4)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, HEA 545

Comprehensive study of lower limb orthotic patient management distal to the knee. It includes evaluation and assessment; treatment plan formulation, follow-up and patient education; as well as biomechanics, gait analysis and motor disability. Fabrication and fitting of foot and ankle foot orthoses.

HEA 542 - Orthotic Management of the Lower Limb II (5)

Prerequisites: HEA 541

Comprehensive study of lower limb orthotic patient management proximal to the knee. It includes evaluation and assessment; treatment plan formulation, follow-up and patient education; as well as biomechanics, gait analysis and motor disability. Fabrication and fitting of selected orthoses.

HEA 544 - Orthotic Management of the Spine (4)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, HEA 545

Comprehensive study of spinal orthotic management. It includes evaluation, assessment, treatment plan formulation, implementation of the plan, and follow-up. Fabrication and fitting of selected orthoses is included. Also, presentation of Wheelchair Seating and Cranial Remolding Helmets.

HEA 545 - Normal Gait and Biomechanics of Movement (2)

Prerequisites: HEA 455, or consent of instructor

Primary areas of study will include applied anatomy, anthropometry, kinematics, and kinetics, normal human locomotion, force vectors, observational and instrumented gait analysis.

HEA 547 - Gait Analysis and Pathomechanics for O&P (1)

Prerequisites: HEA 545, or consent of instructor

Examination and assessment of how and why an individual’s gait deviates from normal human locomotion when they are utilizing an orthotic or prosthetic device designed specifically for application below the knee.

HEA 551 - Prosthetic Management of the Upper Limb (3)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, HEA 545

Comprehensive study of upper limb prosthetic management, including transradial, transhumeral, partial hand, elbow and shoulder disarticulation amputations. Includes evaluation; assessment; treatment plan formulation, implementation and follow-up to promote positive outcomes utilizing evidence-based practice.

HEA 552 - Prosthetic Management of the Lower Limb I (4)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, HEA 545

Management of amputations distal to the knee, including Transtibial, Symes and Partial Foot. Patient assessment, formulation of treatment plan, implementation, and follow up through measurement, casting, fabrication, and fitting of patients. Pathologies, surgical procedures, components, biomechanics, gait, and outcome measures.

HEA 554 - Prosthetic Management of the Lower Limb II (5)

Prerequisites: HEA 552

Management of amputations proximal to the knee, including Knee Disarticulation, Trans Femoral and Hip Disarticulation. Includes all aspects of patient assessment, formulation of treatment plans, and implementation through measurement, casting, fabrication and fitting to promote positive outcomes.

HEA 580 - Applied Technologies in Orthotics and Prosthetics (1)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, HEA 545

Integration of non-traditional techniques in the measurement, fabrication, and delivery of devices in contemporary O&P practice. This includes knowledge of computer aided design, electrical circuitry, instrumented gait analysis, and biomechanical and biomedical engineering concepts.

HEA 592 - Sub-Specialties in O&P (2)

Prerequisites: HEA 541, HEA 542, HEA 551 & HEA 552

Student driven course in areas of advanced skills, infrequently used devices, or unique goals in O&P. Lecture and demonstration with pediatric, geriatric, recreational and special use clients. Development of evaluation, assessment, and treatment plans through case studies and live interaction.

HEA 593 - Capstone Activity for O & P (3)

Prerequisites: Advancement to Graduate Candidacy

MS in Health Science, O&P Option requires a portfolio as the culminating experience. The portfolio is an accumulation of a directed research paper, practical exams, written & written simulation exams, oral exams, gait analysis and clinical patient scenarios.

HEA 596 - Clinical Practicum in Orthotics and Prosthetics (1, 4, 4)

Prerequisites: HEA 508, HEA 516, or consent of instructor

Fieldwork and in-depth study of discipline related topics under the direction of Division of Health Sciences faculty member. Repeatable for credit for up to a maximum of eleven units.

540-hour placement in private sector or institutional facility. Supervised observation/assistance of patient evaluation, assessment, measurement, casting, fitting, and follow-up. Documentation and case analysis.
Practicum A: 60 hours, Observation and assistance in private and public O&P facilities.
Practicum B: 240 hours, placement in O&P facility during summer year 1.
Practicum C: 240 hours, placement in O&P facility during spring year 2.
Repeatable for credit up to 11 units.

HSC 598 - Directed Research in Orthotics and Prosthetics (1,1)

Research on a subject related to the option that is suitable for professional presentation or publication. Specific topic of the research must be approved and directed by an instructor. A maximum of 2 units may be applied toward the master’s degree. Repeatable course.

Additional Course Information: This course is a repeatable, 1 unit class. It begins in the Spring semester of Year One and continues in the Fall Year Two. The course is designed to support and direct the student to be able to critically review and utilize research to support evidence based practice as well as be prepared to participate in research and initiate a research project that will be used as part of the capstone portfolio.

The essential elements of research methods and data analysis will be covered in HSC 501 Advanced Research methods. In HSC 598 Section I: The student will begin to develop a research topic and utilize forums to cumulate O & P articles and present them in a journal club format for critical discussions. During the course students are assigned a faculty member to develop a project proposal to answer a defined clinical question. This course will focus on identifying and critically analyzing the literature using skills learned in HSC 501. The second section (Fall, Year Two) will allow the students to summarize their findings from session I to begin to form conclusions to their clinical questions. A formal presentation of the student’s findings will be given to the faculty and class for discussion of the project and further development of communication skills. The final scientific paper summarizing the project will be part of HSC 599 Capstone Activity for O&P.

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