Academic Administrators and Faculty Members

Post-secondary O&P faculty and academic administrators are vital to the success of O&P education programs. NCOPE recognizes that the distribution of effort between teaching, research and other academic activities varies greatly across institutions nd faculty. The overall purpose of programmatic accreditation is to advance the O&P profession through education. CAAHEP and NCOPE are obligated to the public, its communities of interest, and to its institutional sponsors to ensure continuous quality improvement of the programs it accredits, and the compliance of these programs with the national standards.

Principles of Accreditation

Professional Integrity

NCOPE staff and volunteers including commissioners, board of directors, and reviewers adhere to professional integrity in all NCOPE-related activities. All members aim to maintain accountability, impartiality, confidentiality, open communication, transparency of process, fairness and consistency throughout the accreditation process.

Advancing Standards

The Board follows established procedures to obtain input from a broad constituency to ensure the CAAHEP Education Standards reflect current best practice in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Student Advocacy

The Board strives to protect students by ensuring safe, appropriate and effective learning opportunities.

Respecting Differences

In accordance with CAAHEP principles, NCOPE respects the integrity of instructional approaches and strategies and recognizes innovation in orthotic and prosthetic education that achieves the accreditation Standards.

Continuous Improvement

NCOPE is committed to ongoing evaluation of its policies and procedures for the purpose of continuous improvement.

NCOPE also encourages continuous self-analysis and improvement of orthotic and prosthetic programs by representatives of the institution’s administrative staff, teaching faculty, students, governing body and other appropriate constituencies, with the ultimate aim of assuring students of quality education and ensuring patients of appropriate orthotic and prosthetic care.

Promoting Success at all Levels

NCOPE is committed to supporting programs in their efforts to meet the Standards for all CAAHEP levels of the O&P profession.

Input from all Stakeholders

The Board acknowledges that varied perspectives are necessary when making decisions. We value the comments, expertise and insights of members of the profession throughout NCOPE activities, such as the development of policies, revision of Standards and the accreditation process.