Programme summary
Courses and timetables
Career opportunities
Admission requirements
Programme summary
Further your understanding of osteopathic treatment techniques, and develop clinical problem-solving skills. Work with real patients in Unitec's on-campus Osteopathic Clinic.
The Master of Osteopathy develops the capabilities, skills and attributes of
osteopathy students, and has been designed with professional and regulatory
osteopathic requirements in mind. It is the only New Zealand-based programme
that enables you to register with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand, and
to enter practice as an osteopath.
The programme also helps you develop a commitment to lifelong learning,
personal development and the evolution of the osteopathic profession in New
Zealand. There is a strong emphasis on clinical practice and research.
Gain the knowledge and skills to become a safe and competent osteopathic
practitioner who can provide patient management and care within a
multi-cultural environment. Improve your understanding of osteopathic treatment
techniques, and learn to embrace and distinguish between a variety of
healthcare paradigms. Further your ability to engage in critical reflective
practice, scholarly debate and research, and develop an awareness of your
professional limitations.
Find out how to locate, analyse and integrate healthcare information to the
benefit of the patient, and learn to critically assess your own performance.
The assessment process includes assignments, ongoing clinical assessments,
and practical and written examinations. There is a final clinical competence
examination at the end of the programme. All courses are compulsory.
Real-world learning
Each week you work with real patients in Unitec’s on-campus
Osteopathic Clinic, under the supervision of professional osteopaths. You also
benefit from the experience of guest lecturers from other healthcare areas.
You’ll complete a research project, which involves one-to-one research
supervision with appointed supervisors, and take part in lectures, tutorials,
practical work and seminar presentations.
Experienced lecturers
You will be taught by highly qualified lecturers who are real experts in
their field, with many also engaged in private practice. They have active
relationships with a diverse range of health services, which has helped us
develop programmes that reflect all the complexities of real life.
Industry links
We are the only provider of osteopathic education in New Zealand, and one of
only four in Australasia. We maintain positive relationships with professional
bodies in New Zealand and Australia and have close links with osteopathic
schools in Australia, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Canada and
elsewhere. Global integration of the osteopathic profession is developing
rapidly, potentially allowing graduates to travel and practise in other
countries.
Industry recognition
This programme is endorsed by the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand.
What next?
Once you’ve successfully completed the Master of Osteopathy, you are
eligible to apply for a practising certificate from the Osteopathic Council of
New Zealand.
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Courses and timetables
The following is a selection of the compulsory courses you need to study to complete this programme. Click the links below to view the course details and timetables for 2010.
Course no.Course name
+ View the full list of courses for 2010
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Career opportunities
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general admission requirements or the special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements. Applicants may be interviewed.
General admission
Applicants must:
- Have a recognised bachelors degree in the same or similar discipline, with merit achievement (deemed to be an average grade of B or higher in all level 7 courses; or
- Hold a professional qualification in a relevant discipline, recognised as being equivalent to at least merit achievement in a bachelors degree; or
- Be able to demonstrate competencies equivalent to a bachelors degree with merit achievement in the same or similar discipline; and
- Demonstrate clinical and professional aptitude.
Note: The Master of Osteopathy is designed to follow on from the Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Biology). The majority of applicants will have completed this degree, attaining a B grade average or higher in their final year. Unless an applicant is transferring from a recognised osteopathic programme (e.g. from the UK or Australia), they will normally be required to complete at least some elements of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Biology) prior to entry to the Master of Osteopathy.
Special admission
Applicants may be considered for special admission if they have a bachelors degree in a discipline other than osteopathy. Applicants qualifying for special admission may be required to undertake a supplementary plan of study in their first semester.
English language
Applicants must:
- Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent; or
- Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium; or
- Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate in an English-rich subject, or equivalent; or
- Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.5 (with no band score lower than 6.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 575, or equivalent; or
- Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Advanced), or equivalent.