SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Lawrence Technological University is launching the third cohort of its accredited Graduate Certificate in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM), a program that has already placed more than a dozen graduates into operating rooms and surgical teams after just two years.
Designed for undergraduate seniors and alumni with STEM backgrounds, the program prepares students for careers in intraoperative neuromonitoring, a specialized field focused on protecting patients’ nervous systems during complex surgeries. As demand grows for trained professionals in operating rooms nationwide, LTU’s program is emerging as a direct pathway into the workforce.
“We’re seeing students move from the classroom into clinical environments in a matter of months,” said Jay Fanelli, program director of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring, LTU’s interdisciplinary program in the College of Engineering and College of Health Sciences. “Our focus is on preparing students to step into the operating room with confidence and the technical skills required from day one.”
The graduate certificate combines focused academic coursework with hands-on clinical training, equipping students with the expertise needed to assist surgical teams in monitoring brain and nerve function during procedures.
The program is accredited by ABRET, the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists, a non-profit credentialing board that sets professional standards and certifies neurodiagnostic technologists.
Graduates of the program are already working in hospitals and surgical centers across the region, supporting surgeons and improving patient safety.
“We’ve built a program that aligns closely with what employers need,” Fanelli said. “Students are gaining real clinical experience and transitioning quickly into roles where they’re making an immediate impact.”
A graduate from LTU’s inaugural cohort, now working in the field, will return to campus to speak with incoming students during orientation, offering firsthand insight into the transition from student to working professional.
Incoming students say the program’s focused structure and strong career outcomes were key factors in their decision to enroll.
As surgical procedures become more advanced and patient safety standards continue to evolve, the need for trained neuromonitoring professionals is increasing.
“This is a field that many STEM students aren’t aware of, but once they understand the role and the impact, it becomes a very compelling career path,” Fanelli said. “We’re helping bridge that awareness gap while meeting a real workforce need.”
Prospective students can learn more about the program during an upcoming virtual information session:
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with faculty, hear from students and alumni, and explore how the program can accelerate their transition into the healthcare workforce.
More information is also available on Instagram at @LTU_IONM.
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU, which offers communication training programs of the former Specs Howard School, and LTU’s growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.