INTRAOPERATIVE NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

Master's Program

An IONP student and preceptor in the operating room

What is IONP?

The U-M School of Kinesiology has developed a specialized Intraoperative Neurophysiology (IONP) master's program. IONP involves the monitoring of the central and peripheral nervous systems of patients undergoing surgical procedures such as orthopedic spinal correction (scoliosis treatment), cranial neurosurgery, and interventional radiologic procedures.

IONP helps improve patient outcomes by carefully assessing the functional status of nervous tissue. This neurophysiologic information helps the surgeon perform a safer and sometimes more thorough procedure.

Neurophysiologists are employed by large university hospitals and larger non-teaching hospitals. IONP is also provided to hospitals regionally or nationally by companies that specialize in this field. The demand for qualified neurophysiologists is very high.

What will you do in the IONP Program?

Master the fundamentals 

You’ll get an in-depth education in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, including hands-on labs and a pre-clinical skills course (where you’ll learn how to conduct neurologic clinical assessments, program neuromonitoring software, and more)

Gain real-world experience

In your second year, you’ll begin training in the operating room (OR), contributing to the monitoring of various surgeries at Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s world-class health care system

Work in a team setting

You’ll learn alongside students from other health care professions in the OR as you perfect needle placement to target nerves, muscles,  and regions of the brain

Learn from the best

Your program director will be Josh Mergos, the founder of the first accredited educational program in this field, who continues to actively work as a neurophysiologist

Operate at a high level

Your final semester will take you to one of several participating top-tier medical centers for a full-time capstone experience, with opportunities to be involved in advanced procedures (think: brain tumor resections and surgeries to address severe spinal deformities)

Be prepared for certification

Students who complete this program will receive an Intraoperative Neurophysiology Master of Science degree. With the extensive practical experience you’ve garnered during your studies, you’ll be ready to take the national Certification for Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM) exam immediately after graduating.

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Two-Year Academic Plan

IONP Master's Two-Year Sample Curriculum

Forms & Bulletins

  • Go to forms page
    • Includes academic, internship, and independent study forms for master's and PhD students.
  • Go to bulletins page
    • Bulletins provide key information about the School of Kinesiology's academic program requirements, rules, and regulations.

Please also consult U-M’s Rackham School of Graduate Studies website at rackham.umich.edu for more expansive and detailed information.

Program Outcomes

Our graduates have gone on to work for major medical systems and IONP companies, including:

  • Michigan Medicine
  • Northwestern University Hospital
  • Stanford Health Care
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Duke University Health
  • NuVasive Clinical Services
  • Neuroprotective Solutions
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Learn more about what our graduates do*

*Undergraduate students in the intraoperative neuromonitoring concentration

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