Global Spine Diploma Program

The Global Spine Diploma Program is the first globally developed, systematic online training for spine surgery, creating a new worldwide standard.

It helps orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons take their knowledge and skills across multiple spinal pathologies to a new level.

A syllabus describing the curriculum content, educational methods, and resources was developed to achieve defined learning objectives.

The training program is offered online. Therefore, participants benefit from efficient, flexible online learning in small groups.

• The training is based on a thorough curriculum, written and taught by world-renowned surgeons.
• Training program participants gain profound knowledge in spine surgery.
• Participants gain access to a global spine network and learn from the best.

The program covers the following spinal pathologies: trauma, cervical degeneration, lumbar degeneration, adult and pediatric deformity, oncology and infection.
The content is grouped into five modules, each dedicated to one or two pathology domains. Each module lasts eight weeks.
Each module offers learning assets such as journal articles, book chapters, and teaching videos for self-directed learning. Furthermore each module includes two mandatory live case discussions held online. 
As a participant you also be expected to prepare and present one case for assessment by peers and faculty. On a weekly basis, you will also be asked to contribute to discussions with your peers and faculty members.

In total, the training program is 12 months in length, divided into two semesters. The program consists of five modules, each covering eight weeks. Registration for single modules is not currently available.

You can expect to invest 3–5 hours per week during the semester.

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 training

Important: 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.

Applicants for the training program must apply via the AO Spine website and provide the following information by e-mail:

• 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 director of the Training Program Committee and AO Spine staff during the application period. For the application process, 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.

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.

No. Since the training program will be offered online, no travel is required.

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.

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.

The Program is accredited by UEMS-EACCME®. The CME points will be provided at the end of the program.

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.

You will need to participate in a minimum of 70 percent of the training program activities in order to be eligible to receive academic credit for a module. 

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.

The Global Spine Diploma is valid for a period of five years after the date of issue.

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

We will allocate faculty members per module and learning group. These faculty members will be available to answer any content-related questions.

If you have any questions, please contact AO Spine via e-mail at: globalspinediploma@aospine.org.