Application Process

The College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation actively seeks individuals with an undergraduate degree and diverse life experiences who desire to become professionals in the orthotics and prosthetics field.

TO BE CONSIDERED, AN APPLICANT MUST:

• Submit a properly completed application to the Orthotics and Prosthetics Centralized Application Service (OPCAS). Detailed instructions regarding the completion of the application and the essay are provided on the OPCAS website.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (or currently attending) directly to the OPCAS. Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" will not be accepted.
• Complete a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, prior to enrollment. It is highly recommended that an applicant has a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale should consult the Admissions Office prior to applying. 
• Complete admissions prerequisites at the college level with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
• Submit two letters of recommendation. Arrange to have forwarded directly to OCPAS the following letters of recommendation on letterhead:
  • One letter must be written from a person with authority (i.e. Certified/Licensed Orthotist-Prosthetist, ISPO Level Prosthetist-Orthotist); and
  • A second letter must be written from a teaching faculty member who has taught you in a course or an academic advisor.
    • Letter from a teaching assistant only accepted if co-signed by faculty member
  • Letters from clinicians and teaching faculty members are recommended.
  • Additional letters will enhance the file but will not fulfill our required letters of evaluation. 
• A minimum of 40 hours of observation experience with an Orthotist-Prosthetist is required. Observation in multiple clinical settings is encouraged (may be volunteer and/or employment).
• Strongly recommended, but not required: Acquire a minimum of 50 hours of fabrication experience with an Orthotist-Prosthetist.
• Optional: Submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score results.
• International Students, please review any additional requirements in the drop down section below.
• All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the University and cannot be returned.
• Students will be required to meet University compliance requirements upon matriculation.

PREREQUISITES

• Anatomy and Physiology (Lab recommended) **
• Life Science or Biology (Lab recommended)
• Chemistry (Lab recommended)
• Physics (Lab recommended)
• Statistics (Biology-, Psychology- or Sociology-based course recommended)
• Psychology

International Transcripts

For applicants who have attended foreign and French-Canadian schools, please provide the Office of Admissions with the following information:

• A course-by-course credential review from a NACES recognized agency which evidences all post-secondary studies completed. Please consult agency’s web site for requirements to complete the evaluation.
• Recommended agencies include:
  • World Education Services
  • The Evaluation Company
• An official evaluation may be sent from the agency directly to OPCAS.
  • Instructions for submitting Foreign and French-Canadian transcripts.

English Language Proficiency

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in a Salus University academic program as well as to help ensure patient/client/student safety and/or effective communication with members of a healthcare or education team.

Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.

While we recommend that applicants submit TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:

1. successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or
2. successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner’s program

*Note: All exemption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.

The Admissions Committee has established policies that include the selection of applicants best qualified to serve the public and the profession in the years to come. Many factors are considered in selecting students for our program, including:

• academic performance
• motivation
• extracurricular activities and interests
• related and unrelated work experience
• observation experience
• personal achievements
• essays
• letters of recommendation
• communication skills, including a demonstrated command of the English language, both written and oral

When evaluating academic performance, the applicant’s overall grade point average, overall science grade point average, the grade point average of the last 60 hours of academic coursework, performance in prerequisite courses, number of college credits completed and degree status are taken into consideration.

Interview Process

Individuals successfully meeting the required admissions selection criteria may receive an invitation for an interview, which provides further insight into the applicant’s character and motivation, and allows an applicant the opportunity to interview one-on-one with a faculty member and meet with an Admissions staff member to discuss his or her application. The applicant is given the option to interview virtually or to visit campus and tour our campus with students/admissions staff.

Notificaition of Acceptance and Matriculation Fee

An applicant may be notified of his or her acceptance within two weeks of the interview. Upon receipt of acceptance, an applicant is required to pay a $1,000 matriculation fee to the University prior to the start of classes, payable as follows:

• Return the matriculation form along with a $500 deposit within 14 days of the date of the acceptance letter.
• The balance of $500 for the matriculation fee is due April 1.
• If accepted after April 1, the offer of acceptance will detail payment requirements.
• All monies received above are non-refundable and will be applied toward first term fees.

Students will be required to meet University compliance requirements upon matriculation.

Deferment of Admission

An accepted student with an unforeseen, extenuating circumstance prohibiting them from matriculating may request a deferment of admission in writing. The request must be directed to both the Dean of Student Affairs and the O&P Program Director, and made via the Office of Admissions.

For deferment consideration, the following is required:

• A deferment request submitted in writing by May 15, before the August start of the academic year. Please note, submission of a deferral request by the deadline does not guarantee approval.
• Official documentation verifying the extenuating circumstance.
• All non-refundable deposit fees and the matriculation supplement must be received (as directed in the University’s official Letter of Acceptance).

If deferment is approved:

• Admission will be extended to August matriculation of the next academic year.
• A deferment will not extend beyond one admission cycle.
• The student must contact the Office of Admissions, in writing, by April 1st of the deferred admission calendar year regarding his/her intention to resume enrollment.
• The student will be required to meet with a member of the Admissions Committee prior to matriculation.

If a deferral request is denied:

• A student has the option to withdraw acceptance from the Program, or reapply through OPCAS for future admission.

For questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@salus.edu.

Policies and Procedures

Enrolled students who withdraw or are dismissed from the University will be responsible for the payment of tuition in accordance with the institutional refund schedule.

• University Policies
• Refund Policy