Why Choose IIOP?
The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics is the profession’s only independent O&P educational facility. The Institute is committed to the elevation of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Profession through quality education. IIOP hosts the American Board of Certification for Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Testing Center. Additionally, the Institute hosts multiple professional development courses and symposiums and is the home of the Prosthetic, Orthotic, and Pedorthic Association of Florida. This gives IIOP’s students access to a multitude of educational opportunities as well as exposure to the seasoned clinicians in the profession. The annual meeting of the Academy Chapter hosts a job fair for so that students can have the opportunity to meet potential residency directors, and provides a forum for students of the Institute to present their research papers and case studies to an audience of their peers and mentors. The campus is also home to a private O&P practice which allows our students to complete clinical rotations on-site and gain valuable patient interactions. The IIOP curriculum’s foundational courses are focused on the interdisciplinary approach to problem-based learning. The curriculum encourages students to become lifelong learners with an emphasis on improving orthotic and prosthetic outcomes. A great deal of time is spent ensuring that students develop appropriate manual skills together with the understanding of the importance of lab skills in the workforce.
Diversity
IIOP’s administration, faculty, staff, and students, affirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and consider them essential elements of a vibrant learning community and integral to our institutional mission. We are determined to foster an environment of inclusion, diversity, openness, and respect for the many differences that will enrich the Orthotic and Prosthetic community, including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, socioeconomic status, national origin, language, sexual orientation, disability. Our profession serves a diverse population . Our goal is to increase diversity in our O&P workforce by keeping our tuition as one of the lowest in the Country.
The IIOP campus offers 40,000 sq. ft. dedicated to Orthotic and Prosthetic education, featuring large spacious O&P laboratories for fabrication activities.
- No Out-of-State Tuition or Fees
- One of the Lowest total tuition cost Nationally
- Focus on fabrication
- National and International Clinical Rotation experiences
- Patient-centered curriculum
- Community service
- Well-rounded education
- Interdisciplinary faculty
- By keeping our tuition low, we continue to increase the chances for inclusivity and diversity on campus.
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Master of Science in O&P Graduation, NCOPE Residency Rates and Exam Pass Rates
| Program Start | Students Entering | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate | Residency placements prior to graduation | Total entering residency less than 6 months Post-Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Spring | 3 | 3 | 100% | 2 | 3 |
| 2020 Spring | 7 | 7 | 100% | 6 | 7 |
| 2020 Fall | 12 | 12 | 100% | 12 | 12 |
| 2021 Spring | 5 | 5 | 100% | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 Fall | 24 | 24 | 100% | 22 | 24 |
| 2022 Spring | 9 | 9 | 100% | 8 | 9 |
| 2022 Fall | 29 | 29 | 100% | 19 | 26 |
| 2023 Fall | 34 | In Progress | In Progress | ||
| 2024 Spring | 10 | In Progress | In Progress | ||
| Total | 89 | 100% | 74 | 86 | |
History
The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics was founded in 2015. The Master’s Program in Orthotics and Prosthetics offered today by the Institute has its history in the St. Petersburg College (SPC) O&P program at the Health Education Center in Pinellas Park, Florida. SPC is a Florida Community College, founded in 1927, that began offering four-year degrees in 2002. In 2005 SPC was approved to offer a bachelor’s degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
In 2008, the National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) announced that the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) had approved revision to the Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Education in Orthotics and Prosthetics to a require a Master’s degree for entry level into the field. This was deemed necessary for the delivery of quality patient care due to the dynamic base of knowledge and rapidly emerging processes and technologies in the O&P field. In response to this mandate, St. Petersburg College formed a consortium with Florida State University (FSU) 2009. Upon completion of the course work at SPC, the student would be required to matriculate to FSU by meeting all their requirements to complete the degree conferred at FSU: a Master’s of Science in Industrial Engineering, with specialization in Materials Engineering and Management of Orthotics and Prosthetics (MSIE-MEMOP). This allowed the graduate to apply for residency programs and enter the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics under the new NCOPE standards and guidelines. The Master’s program enrolled its first cohort in fall of 2012.
The consortium was made up of two programs and two degrees were conferred. This was a two-step process, unlike other O & P programs in the United States. The first degree was the SPC Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics, the second being the FSU MSIE-MEMOP. The course work for FSU was offered on-line or at the SPC campus, utilizing SPC’s lab space.
After a two-year evaluation of the track it was noted that it would be best to find a new partner to sponsor the master’s track. The program was difficult for both faculty and students. Additionally, it became clear that Material Science was not an ideal degree as it did not incorporate any practice management or patient skills in the final semesters.
In 2015, the program sought a sponsorship from Florida International University’s (FIU) Engineering Management that would allow students, through a consortium arrangement, to remain on the SPC campus and complete the last three semesters online at FIU while continuing clinical rotations. Arlene Gillis, CP, LPO, the director of the SPC O&P program, sensed that SPC would not long continue the consortium arrangement. She envisioned establishing a new educational facility that would continue to provide O&P training and research opportunities for the profession.
In 2016 Gillis formed a non-profit and established the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Through discussions with The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC), an agreement was made that the new facility would include housing for ABC’s Testing Facility. This would provide ABC with a permanent testing facility, freeing them from the logistical difficulties associated with having to host exams at various locations throughout the country.
After a thorough search process of over a year, in 2017 Gillis located a 35,000 sq. ft. building on several acres of property adjacent to Tampa International Airport. The building had recently been vacated by ITT Technical Institute and was the ideal size and location for both the IIOP educational plans, and for the ABC Testing Facility. An agreement was made to purchase the property. The Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, Graduate Oversight Committee, staff and faculty consulted, and architects designed the renovations for a state-of-the-art testing facility and orthotic and prosthetic educational facility. Dale Petersen, having early along joined Gillis supporting her plans, agreed to become the lab manager; he designed and equipped the laboratory facilities. IT installed all new network systems; security, fire protection and sprinkler systems were updated. New landscaping beautified the exterior, and the 300-space parking lot was resurfaced. A security fence was installed to encompass the entire 4 acres of property. After several months, the construction was completed and both the Institute and ABC had a home.
Ultimately, SPC decided to discontinue the sponsorship of the O&P program, and a transfer of sponsorship, as approved by NCOPE, to FIU in Miami Florida.
In 2018, IIOP applied to and received approval from the Commission of Independent Education of Florida to become a stand-alone entity and began to offer an Orthotics and Prosthetics Master’s Program. IIOP continued its partnership with FIU and its Engineering Management track.
Graduate Testimonials
“My name is Reagan Handley and I am a December 2023 graduate of IIOP. My time at IIOP prepared me to go into residency and the field with confidence in both my hand skills and patient interactions. The opportunity to serve as the student government President allowed me to experience a variety of ways that I can serve in the field of orthotics and prosthetics. IIOP gave me the chance to attend the AOPA policy forum in Washington, D.C. in May 2023, and because of this opportunity, I hope to continue my involvement with O and P policy advocacy in the future. IIOP has continued to support my endeavors, following graduation, and I will be forever grateful for the faculty, staff, and education at IIOP.”
Reagan Handley
“Hello! My name is Lauren Bogardus and I am a December 2023 IIOP graduate. This school quickly became a very special place to me. The professors persistently supported my passions going into the O&P field. Through this, I was able to attend numerous O&P conferences, start my own adaptive dance program, and apply what I was learning in the classroom in various hands-on settings. I know I have created lifelong friendships with the students and staff at IIOP. I will forever be grateful for my time here!”
Lauren Bogardus
“Hi, my name is Alyssa Noe. I was a December 2022 graduate from IIOP. I am currently in my O&P combined residency at Capital Prosthetics and Orthotics Center in Columbus, Ohio. The professors at IIOP did a great job preparing us for the written board exam by focusing on the high yield topics, but also giving us enough background to successfully tackle the rare content questions as well. Mr. Martin’s advice to take it sooner rather than later paid dividends. I was basically able to start my residency with the weight of that first board exam off my shoulders with all the knowledge still fresh in my memory. Lastly, while being able to jump from the beautiful lab facilities at IIOP straight to the beach with my classmates may not have prepared me for cold winters in Ohio, it did give me a solid foundation which I draw upon every day with my wonderful coworkers at Capital Prosthetics and Orthotics Center.”
Alyssa Noe
“IIOP presented me with incredible opportunities both in the patient clinic and the classroom to expand my knowledge of Orthotics and Prosthetics further than anywhere else. The amazing faculty and staff provided a platform for my classmates and I to carve out our own style of healthcare professionalism and fabrication techniques.”
Richard Gotti, New York
“My time here at IIOP not only expanded my understanding of the O&P field, but has taught me more about my capabilities to solve problems and constantly seek resolution in and out of the classroom. I have learned how to work hard in the lab so I am able to enjoy the beauty of Tampa, Florida. From kayak fishing in the mangroves, to enjoying the sweet sweet beaches, Tampa has quickly become one of my favorite places to live. If you’re like me and you are from out of town, then no problem because IIOP is within 5 minutes from the Tampa International Airport! IIOP has continued to challenge me but has made my graduate experience one I will never forget.”
Bryce Dahl, Tennessee
“I have just finished my last semester at IIOP and it has been such a fun and beneficial learning experience. The facility is unlike anything I have seen at other schools and even other O&P facilities. I come from a background in prosthetics and orthotics, so I had pretty high expectations for the school, and it checks all my boxes. There is so much space in a brand-new building, which makes working on projects very stress-free. The instructors are so much fun to work with and knowledgeable in their fields. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in the field of orthotics and prosthetics.”
Alex Miller, Ohio
“I looked forward to coming to school every day because IIOP had provided me with the best education in the best environment. It was great to be part of a school whose sole focus is Orthotics and Prosthetics. The class sizes are small, and the facility is very spacious, which made working on assignments a breeze. I just recently graduated, and I will miss my instructors, who had made my time at the school not only educational but also fun. If you want the best O&P education you can get, IIOP is the school for you.”
Ivanice Torres Rivera, Puerto Rico (2020)
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
- Ken Chagnon Scholarship, $500, Application deadline January 31st, yearly
- Dan McKeever Scholarship, $1,000, Application deadline May 30th, yearly
- Chester Haddan Scholarship, $1,000, Application deadline January 31st, yearly
- OPERF Student Award, $500, Application deadline yearly in October
- SPS Student Scholarship, $2,500, Application deadline will be announced soon
