Master of Health Science (Osteopathy)

Program Overview

VU's Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) is an accredited program that prepares students for a career as a registered osteopath. Through hands-on clinical placements and a workshop-style learning model, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for osteopathic practice, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Osteopathy Board of Australia and can work in various healthcare settings, including private clinics, hospitals, and community organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Become a skilled healthcare professional, eligible to practise and register as an osteopath, with a Master of Health Science from VU. This course will equip you with the knowledge and diagnostic skills to confidently begin your osteopathy career. VU offers one of only three accredited osteopathy programs in Australia. This masters follows on from the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy). Together, the courses provide eligibility for registration to practice as an osteopath. Our highly regarded course has an extensive work-experience program, with hands-on practice at our professional clinics. You’ll graduate skilled in formulating suitable and safe treatment programs, including soft-tissue techniques, joint mobilisation and exercise rehabilitation. You’ll have the diagnostic skills and graduate capabilities for osteopathic practice required by primary healthcare practitioners.

Outline

• Year 1, Semester 1
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 1
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 2
• Clinical Practice 1
• Project and Scholarship 1
• Year 1, Semester 2
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 3
• Clinical Practice 2
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 4
• Project and Scholarship 2
• Year 2, Semester 1
• Clinical Practice 3
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 5
• Project and Scholarship 3

Teaching

VU is held in high regard in the industry for our hands-on approach and extensive clinical placements. Treating patients at our Osteopathy Clinic, as well as external community clinical engagements, ensures you have a diverse clinical experience. Our osteopathy teaching clinic operates 47 weeks of the year. As part of our masters program, you’ll attend clinical sessions on a rotational basis. You’ll gain real-world experience working with paying patients. These clinics also run outside of semester hours, to maintain a public service and provide continuity of patient care.When you study osteopathy at VU, you’ll be part of the bigger College of Sport, Health and Engineering. This college supports its students with international industry contacts, world-class research centres and a Dean’s lecture series by leaders in the health profession. Osteopathy students study at our City Campus. The convenient location makes studying easier and the surrounding laneways, cafes and restaurants add to its appeal.Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once. Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career. You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.

Careers

Our Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy) qualifies you to register as a practising osteopath. With our dual-qualification in osteopathy, including the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy), you can gain the following registrations and memberships:

• registration with the Osteopathy Board of Australia
• registration as an osteopath in all other Australian states and in New Zealand
• membership with Osteopathy Australia.For further information about registration requirements, visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Many osteopaths have their own private practice. Osteopaths can work in a variety of healthcare settings:
• private clinics
• hospitals
• maternal health centres
• community organisations.
Salaries Visit Jobs and Skills Australia to see the average salary for osteopaths in Australia. Accreditation This course, in combination with the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy), is one of only three Osteopathy dual-qualification programs accredited by the Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC). The AOAC is an independent organisation that assesses and accredits osteopathic education programs. Accreditation from the AOAC allows graduates to register as an osteopath in Australia. Our course meets the AOAC accreditation standards. This ensures that the knowledge, skills and professional attributes we teach match best-practice national healthcare expectations.