Global Spine Diploma Program
Join the spine surgery elite. Boost your career.
The Global Spine Diploma (GSD) Program is the first globally developed, ultimate and systematic spine surgery training pathway for recently graduated orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Internationally recognized experts certify your knowledge, ensuring your place among the next generation of leading spine surgeons worldwide.
Join the 12 month online program and benefit from the support of global leaders in spine surgery during the learning pathway.

“We, the Global Spine Diploma Program team, are committed to cultivate the next generation of leading spine surgeons worldwide, ensuring a legacy of proficiency, innovation, and global impact.”
Atiq Uz Zaman, Chairperson Global Spine Diploma Program
Benefits of the Global Spine Diploma Program
Reasonable time effort
12-month online program with 3-5 hours spent learning a week.
2 cohorts a year (starting January and August)
Flexible self-directed online learning paired with lively small group discussions
Sophisticated syllabus
Based on a the AO Spine curriculum, written and taught by world-renowned surgeons.
Continuing medical education (CME) accreditation
The program is accredited by UEMS-EACCME®.
Cost for two semesters
- CHF 100 application fee (nonrefundable)
- CHF 2'500 total tuition fee for the 12-month program.
Individual modules open for registration
Explore currently available modules here.
Global Spine Diploma Program: 5 Modules
The training program consists of five modules. Each eight-week module is dedicated to a set of spinal pathologies. Modules include online resources for study at your own pace week-by-week, weekly asynchronous forum discussions, and at least one live online case presentation.
Assessment tasks include answering very brief weekly quizzes, contributing to the forum discussion contributions, participating in live case presentation, submitting a case for peer review, and accessing online resources.
Participants are allocated to regional learning group with faculty moderators who steer the discussion forum.
From 2025, the Global Spine Diploma offers stand-alone enrolment in some of its modules.
Explore currently available modules here:
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Trauma
- Acute spinal trauma—initial management
- Radiological assessment and injury classification systems
- Upper cervical injuries
- Lower cervical injuries
- Thoracolumbar injuries
- Osteoporotic and ankylotic fractures
- Sacral and spinopelvic injuries
- Outcomes and complications
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Oncology and Infection
- Assessment of the patient with a spinal tumor
- Treatment planning
- Surgical procedures—primary
- Surgical procedures—metastatic
- Assessing the patient with spinal infection
- Postoperative infection
- Pyogenic spondylodiscitis
- Spinal tuberculosis
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Cervical degeneration
- Clinical and radiological assessment
- Non-operative management
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Degenerative cervical myelopathy
- Anterior surgery for DCM
- Posterior surgery for DCM
- Cervical rheumatoid disease
- Outcomes and complications
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Lumbar degeneration
- Clinical and radiological assessment
- Biopsychosocial model of pain
- Non-operative treatment
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis
- Lumbar stenosis
- Lumbar fusion—open and MISS
- Outcomes and complications
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Adult and Pediatric deformity
- Adult deformity—assessment and treatment planning
- Surgical procedures—choosing the approach: anterior, posterior, or both
- Surgical procedures—augmentation and proximal junctional fixation
- Outcomes and complications
- Paediatric deformity—assessment and treatment planning
- Surgical procedures—idiopathic scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Complications and outcomes
Applications for the Diploma Program will reopen in April 2025.
The Global Spine Diploma Program Committee
The Global Diploma Program is driven, written, and taught by world-renowned surgeons and tailored to surgeons’ needs. With their vast experience, local and international faculty members give mentoring support throughout the program’s duration. All of the over 60 online faculty moderators based worldwide have undergone a dedicated faculty training program with the AO Education Institute.

Atiq Uz Zaman
Lahore, Pakistan

Adetunji Toluse
Lagos, Nigeria

Jeremy Reynolds
Oxford, United Kingdom

Bradley Jacobs
Calgary, Canada

Evan Davies
Southampton, England

John Chen
Singapore, Singapore

Luiz Gustavo da Rocha
Curitiba, Brazil
Why should you join?

Join the first online program developed for the needs of international spine care.

Benefit from the experience and support of global leaders in spine surgery during the learning pathway.

Learn online at your own pace. Self-directed and in instructor-led sessions.

Be recognized as spine surgeon worldwide and positively impact your career.
The Global Spine Diploma Community

Enhance your expertise in spine surgery by joining our Global Spine Diploma Community. Learn from world-renowned faculty, celebrate the achievements of recent graduates, and stay updated with the latest news and advancements in the field.
Ready to elevate your career? Visit our community site for more information. Your journey to excellence starts here.
Download the brochure for more information

- Learn more about the AO Spine Curriculum and the pathology domains.
- Understand the learning journey and content provided.
- Learn how to apply for the program.
- For additional information read the Terms and Conditions
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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1. What is the format of the Global Spine Diploma Program?
In total, the program is 12 months in length, divided into two semesters. The program consists of five modules, each covering eight weeks.
Each module is dedicated to one or two pathology domains. The program covers the following spinal pathologies: trauma, cervical degeneration, lumbar degeneration, adult and pediatric deformity, oncology and infection.
Each module offers learning assets such as journal articles, book chapters, and teaching videos for self-directed learning. Furthermore each module includes live case discussions held online, attendance at one of the case discussions is mandatory.
As a participant you also be expected to prepare one case for discussion and reflection. On a weekly basis, you will also be asked to contribute to discussions with your peers and faculty members. -
2. What is the expected weekly time investment?
You can expect to invest 3–5 hours per week during the two semesters.
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3. Who can apply and is eligible to join the Program?
The program is available to AO Spine members and surgeons who have recently graduated from an orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery training program (within the last ten years).
The Chair establishes eligibility to join the program by reviewing:
1. CV
2. certificates of trainingImportant: Members of the AO Spine Faculty Management task force, AO Spine Training Program Committee members, the exam committee members, or surgeons who have been involved in the part I and/or part II exam preparation are ineligible for the Global Spine Diploma Program.
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4. How can I apply for the Global Spine Diploma Program?
Applicants for the program must apply via the AO Spine website and provide the following information:
- A curriculum vitae (CV) demonstrating practice experience in spinal surgery
- A certificate confirming recent graduation from an orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery training program
Only AO Spine members are eligible to register.
Applications will be assessed by the Program Chair, members of the Program Committee, and AO staff during the application period. Candidates must pay a non-refundable administrative fee of CHF 100.
Eligible candidates will be notified and invited to register by paying the nonrefundable tuition fee for their first semester.
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8. What is the language requirement?
If English is not your first language, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to understand, speak, and present throughout the duration of the intensive and challenging training program.
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6. What are the technical requirements?
You will need an AO Spine member profile and a stable internet connection to access our learning management system and the learning assets.
The learning management system is a password-secured, web-based platform. You can access it from your mobile phone, tablet, and personal computer (PC). No additional software is needed. -
7. Will I need to apply for a visa?
No. Since the training program will be offered online, no travel is required.
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8. How much does the training program cost?
The non refundable administrative fee is CHF 100; it is due during the application process. The overall tuition fee is CHF 2,500 which can be paid in two separate installments prior to the commencement of each semester.
The tuition fee includes access to all learning materials and virtual discussions provided through the learning management system throughout the duration of the program.
Payment is required upon registration for each semester.
For detailed cancellation and refund policies, please read the Terms and Conditions.
For the detailed deferral policy, please read the Terms and Conditions.
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9. Are scholarships or financial aid available?
We do not currently offer scholarships or financial aid for the 2023 and 2024 programs.
We encourage you to stay tuned and keep an eye on our website and social media channels, as we aim to offer scholarships in the future.
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10. What are the criteria to receive the Global Spine Diploma?
You will need to achieve a minimum mark of 60 percent to receive academic credit for a module.
Assessment tasks include:
- Very brief weekly quizzes (multiple-choice questions): 56%
- Weekly contributions to the discussion forums: 32%
- Posting one case per module: 12%
You will receive the Global Spine Diploma once you have fulfilled the stipulated criteria and received credits for all five training program modules that constitute the course.
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11. Can I receive the Global Spine Diploma by taking individual modules?
You can receive credit for stand-alone modules you have already completed satisfactorily but will need to apply to the Global Spine Diploma Program to be considered for the Global Spine Diploma.
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12. Will I receive continuing medical education (CME) points for this program?
The Program is accredited by UEMS-EACCME®. The CME points will be provided at the end of the program.
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13. How long can I access each module’s training materials?
All training material will be accessible for the duration of the program. Once you have completed all five training modules, your access to the learning management system will close.
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14. How long is the Global Spine Diploma valid?
The Global Spine Diploma is valid for a period of five years after the date of issue.
We are happy to answer your questions and provide you with additional information.
Contact us at globalspinediploma@aospine.org.
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