Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours)
With La Trobe's Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours) you can become a qualified health professional with expertise in treating people's physical and functional limitations. From first year, you'll undertake clinical placements and experiences both on campus in La Trobe's prosthetic and orthotic facilities and at external sites. You'll study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and prosthetic and orthotic prescription, design and fabrication. Honours is offered in two streams: industry and research. You'll complete either a major industry-relevant honours project or a research honours project in the final years of the course.
You'll learn:
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Learn the theoretical basis and clinical practice of prosthetic and orthotic management, including treatment, assessment and prescriptions in children and adults.
- Research
- Gain an appreciation for research in prosthetics and orthotics by examining research designs, data and how it translates to consumers.
- Clinical skills
- Practice the assessment, prescription, manufacture and fit of prostheses and orthoses in a variety of clinical environments.
- Healthcare
- Discover the importance of wellbeing in a person's healthcare journey and how health professionals can work together to achieve the best outcomes.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8.
Sample course structure
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 Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours), students must complete a total of 480 credit points across 4 years.
Career outcomes
As a trained prosthesis and orthotic professional, you could find employment in a variety of roles, such as:
- Public health
- Become an integral member of healthcare teams in hospitals, aged care facilities and rehabilitation centres.
- Private practice
- Use your knowledge and skills in private prosthetic-orthotic facilities and other agencies.
- Research and design
- Graduates may also work for commercial companies that design and manufacture devices for people with disability.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours) 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.
