Master of Osteopathic Medicine

If you would like to become a primary health practitioner and believe in the importance of holistic care and preventative medicine, Osteopathic Medicine may be the career for you.

Osteopaths practice in primary healthcare fields such as family practice and internal medicine and place their focus on the link between body structure and function. Osteopaths consider the whole person – their lifestyle, environment, and history – when treating symptoms.

As a student of the Master of Osteopathic Medicine, you will undertake substantial clinical practice under the supervision of an experienced practitioner at Southern Cross University’s state-of-the-art Health Clinic. You will be prepared for practice with theoretical underpinnings designed to develop your professional competencies, clinical reasoning, and research skills.

Completion of a relevant undergraduate program (such as Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Clinical Sciences) along with the Master of Osteopathic Medicine will enable you to register to practice as an Osteopath.

Career Opportunities

The Master of Osteopathic Medicine aims to produce graduates who are eligible to register as practitioners of osteopathic medicine. Southern Cross University is seeking to increase the number of graduate osteopaths in order to meet community demand. Osteopathy Australia estimates a national shortage of osteopaths that will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

Professional Recognition

The Master of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Osteopathy Board of Australia. Graduates may apply to become a registered osteopath.

Graduates of the course are eligible for professional membership with Osteopathy Australia (OA).

Osteopathic services are recognized under all state government statutory workers compensation schemes and motor vehicle accident compensation schemes; under Medicare's Chronic Disease Management Plan items; Departments of Veterans Affairs rebates and most private health insurance schemes.

Professional Placement

The Master of Osteopathic Medicine includes substantial supervised clinical practicums at the SCU Health Clinic (Gold Coast or Lismore campuses) and in external health clinics and services. External placements provide opportunities to experience a range of community practices and to start to build professional networks that help establish future careers.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfill certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, it is important that you understand what these requirements are, as they include immunization compliance.

Major Areas of Study

Students undertake studies in osteopathic medicine, including advanced diagnosis and management of complex problems; complete clinical practice under supervision in internal and external health facilities; and engage in a research project.

Assessment methods

Students complete a wide variety of assessments including written exams, written assignments and clinical exams such as observed long case exams and viva voces.

Teaching methods

The osteopathic medicine units use a student-centered curriculum in which problem-based activities and studies, as well as case discussion, engender independent and team-based learning.

Clinical practice is a mentored learning experience in both real and simulated patient encounters. The research component is self-directed and supervised and aims to develop critical thinkers and readers of research. Reflective practitioner skills are integrated into the curriculum to develop interpersonal and lifelong learning characteristics.