Osteopathy as a Career

Osteopathy is a rapidly growing profession in Australia. There are now three University training courses for Osteopaths, in Australia. As the public becomes increasingly more aware of the profession and the benefits it has to offer, the demand for Osteopathic services is expected to increase correspondingly. As a result, Osteopathy offers the prospect of a successful and satisfying career for students interested in studying in the health care field.

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)

For students wishing to train as Osteopaths, RMIT offers a double Bachelor of Science - Clinical Science/Master of Health Science - osteopathy degree course. The course is of five years duration and is taught mainly at RMIT's Bundoora Campus in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Average student contact time is 30 hours per week of lectures, tutorials, practicals and clinic shifts.

Subjects taught include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Clinical Biomechanics, Histology, Pathology, Osteopathic Diagnosis & Practice, Osteopathic Technique, Diagnostic Imaging & Conceptual Health.

The course has a large practical component, with much learning taking place in the teaching Clinics at Bundoora and in the City. Here students will observe treatments and learn Clinic management skills, progressing in the 3rd and 4th and 5th years to treating clinic patients under the supervision of qualified practitioners. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be eligible to register as Osteopaths in all Australian States and in New Zealand when registration is enacted.

For further information about the course content, entrance requirements and entrance procedures click RMIT Osteopathy or see contact details below:

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
GPO Box 2476V
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Ph: 03 9925 7596 Fax: 03 9467 2794
Website:www.rmit.edu.au/osteopathy

Bundoora Campus,
Plenty Road,
Bundoora, Vic. 3083
Department of Complementary Medicine.
Phone: (03) 9925 7595 Fax: (03) 9467 2794
Teaching Clinics – Bundoora.
Phone: (03) 9925 7570
Melbourne Osteopathic Clinic (City).
Phone: (03) 9663 4460, Fax: (03) 9663 8520

Victoria University of Technology

VU offers prospective students of Osteopathy a double Bachelor of Science – Clinical Science/Master of Health Science – Osteopathy degree course. The total duration of the course is 5 years of full time study, and students must complete both the Bachelors and Masters programs to be eligible for registration as an Osteopath in Australia. The course is taught mainly at the University’s City Campus in the heart of Melbourne CBD, with some lectures at the St. Albans Campus in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Subjects taught include Anatomy, Physiology, Biometry, Biochemistry, Embryology, Pathology, Osteopathic Diagnosis & Technique, Clinical Diagnosis & Management, Diagnostic Imaging, Pharmacology & Psychology. In the Masters program, students will be required to complete a minor thesis on a topic of their choice, which will be subject to peer review.

The Clinical Practical component of the course includes a considerable number of hours spent observing treatments and learning clinic administration skill, progressing on to treating under supervision in the senior years. There is also provision for clinical experience to be gained via external placements.

For further information about the course itself, and entry requirements and procedures, click VUT Osteopathy or click Courses or see contact details below:

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
Osteopathic Medicine Unit
PO Box 14428 MCMC
MELBOURNE VIC 8001
Ph: 03 9248 1111 Fax: 03 9248 1112
Website: http://www.vu.edu.au

City Campus,
301 Flinders Lane,
Melbourne 3000
Osteopathic Unit Administration Office.
Phone: (03) 9248 1120, Fax: (03) 9248 1110

Southern Cross University – Lismore, NSW Campus

For students interested in pursuing a career in Osteopathy, the training is five years. The first component is the three year Bachelor of Clinical Sciences, which offers a major stream of studies in Osteopathy. The second component is a two year Master of Osteopathy which the University plans to offer from 2010. This two degree sequence is subject to approval by the NSW Osteopaths Registration Board, from which the University will be applying for Provisional Accreditation in July 2008. Board approval is required in order for the qualification to be recognised for the purposes of registration as an osteopath in NSW or any other state or territory in Australia.

Osteopathy can specialise in a range of areas, including sports injuries, pediatrics, disabilities and occupational strain and ergonomics. Osteopaths also work with people of all ages who are in general good health but may suffer from common problems such as headaches, menstrual pain, fatigue and stress, or have sustained injuries from accidents or falls. The study of osteopathy requires a comprehensive grounding in the biomedical sciences, and strong professional training. The initial emphasis of the course is on medical sciences, and the emphasis on clinical osteopathy practice increases in the latter part of the course. This approach will ensure a high degree of professionalism in our graduates.

More information can be found at:  http://www.scu.edu.au/courses/course.php?page_id=73

Further Information call +61 2 6626 9585 or email: clinicalsciences@scu.edu.au

Provided courtesy of the AOA