This presentation is the introductory component of the Academy Certificate Program for Professional Development on Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Mechanisms. The course is intended to disseminate the information presented at the State-of-the-Science Conference addressing the same topic which convened in Dallas, Texas in April 2005. This course provides an overview of the topics covered during the Academy Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Mechanism Online Learning Center Certificate Program courses. The co-chair of the conference, Don Cummings, CP, guides participants through a brief history of the Academy Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Mechanism State-of-the-Science Conference and then highlights each topic presented at the conference. The goals of the conference are discussed and the members of the panel are introduced. Participants can use this course to become acquainted with the structure and primary learning objectives of the academy Certificate Program on Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Mechanisms.