Course summary
The Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) is a pathway towards a career in osteopathy.
Providing a comprehensive grounding in anatomy and physiology, you’ll develop deep knowledge of the connections between the structure and function of your bones, joints, muscles and nerves.
With experience drawn from a clinical setting, and complemented by teaching around biomedical science and health, you’ll gather essential knowledge into how our bodies function and why, and what to do when those functions falter. The course includes the study of advanced levels of anatomy and physiology, particularly the structure and function of the muscular and nervous systems.
To become a registered osteopath, successful completion of the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) and the Southern Cross University Master of Osteopathic Medicine is required.
The Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) is a pathway towards a career in osteopathy.
Providing a comprehensive grounding in anatomy and physiology, you’ll develop deep knowledge of the connections between the structure and function of your bones, joints, muscles and nerves.
With experience drawn from a clinical setting, and complemented by teaching around biomedical science and health, you’ll gather essential knowledge into how our bodies function and why, and what to do when those functions falter. The course includes the study of advanced levels of anatomy and physiology, particularly the structure and function of the muscular and nervous systems.
To become a registered osteopath, successful completion of the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) and the Southern Cross University Master of Osteopathic Medicine is required.
Students are introduced to the philosophical and biological underpinnings of the osteopathic concept of health. They develop foundational skills in diagnosis and technique that are utilised in osteopathic clinical practice. The course includes the study of advanced levels of anatomy and physiology, particularly the structure and function of the muscular and nervous systems.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Exercise analytical thinking, critical thinking as it relates to osteopathic clinical reasoning |
Demonstrate integrated knowledge of safety and quality standards as they relate to osteopathy practice in Australian primary healthcare services. |
Apply knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and human rights in health-related setting. |
Integrate a broad body of knowledge on human health and disease with osteopathic philosophy. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the physical, social, political, ecological or cultural influences that impact health and health-related settings |
Develop self-directed and reflective skills for lifelong learning. Apply information and academic literacy skills in scholarly and professional practice. |
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in academic, professional and team-based settings. Integrate osteopathic principles, biomedical science and research evidence to inform osteopathic diagnosis and management. |
Develop an understanding of social, and cultural responsivity as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and respect for the identity of all persons. |
Professional placements provide students with about 320 hours of experience at the Bachelors level (and 480 hours at the Masters level) in the practice of safe and effective manual therapy and the application of a wide range of treatment and management plans. Students have opportunities to work with a diverse range of patients in areas including injury and illness prevention and management, rehabilitation and health promotion. Clinical practice-based learning is also undertaken at the Southern Cross University Health Clinic, located at the Lismore and Gold Coast campuses
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.
In Australia, entry level training in osteopathic medicine is accredited by the Osteopathy Board of Australia. This course is fully accredited with the Board for the purposes of registration. Registration in Australia gives mobility across all states and territories and New Zealand.
[Please note: In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)’s standards for English language must be met. See the AHPRA web site for further information.]
To become a registered osteopath, you need to successfully complete both the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) and the Southern Cross University Master of Osteopathic Medicine.
As an osteopathy student it is important to be aware of the registration standards required by the Osteopathy Board of Australia (OBA). See the details on the OBA website.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) will be registered by Southern Cross University with the Osteopathy Board of Australia as an enrolled student and will remain registered for the duration of study.
Course overview
Course code
3007162
Course abbreviation
BClinSc(OstSt)
Credit points
288
Equivalent units
24
Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Lismore | Term 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fee information
International
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | 091528C |
| Lismore | Term 1 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | 091528C |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
- 24 core units (288 credit points).
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.
Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 12 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors