Back to Find Courses page

Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies)

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BClinSc(OstSt)

  • Course code

    3007162

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

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. Total full-time duration for both courses (undergraduate and Masters) is four years.

 

Course Learning Outcome

Exercise analytical thinking, critical thinking and reasoning and problem solving skills in health-related settings

Demonstrate innovative and creative responses and solutions to challenges in health-related settings

Demonstrate a knowledge of, and commitment to, social responsibility, ethics and human rights in health-related settings

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and integrated body of knowledge of the concepts of human health and disease

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the physical, social, political, ecological or cultural influences that impact health and health-related settings

Integrate responsibility for independent, self-directed learning and reflective practice

Manage personal responsibility for maintaining or advancing information and literacy skills for scholarly and professional practice

Communicate concisely and appropriately in an oral and written form in an academic and professional context in health-related settings

Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of teamwork in health care

Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, a local and international perspective, 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.

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A
Lismore Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

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.]

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have achieved:

  1. satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
  2. completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
  3. the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
  4. the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
  5. the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
  6. the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
  7. successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s  standards for English language must be met. See  https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx for further information

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising all core units.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences 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 Access & 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 Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
HLT10481 -  Osteopathic Studies I Introductory
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
CMM71001 -  Health Promotion and Wellness Introductory
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
OST71005 -  Osteopathic Science I Introductory
HLT10482 -  Osteopathic Studies II Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
HLT10483 -  Osteopathic Studies III Intermediate
OST71006 -  Osteopathic Science II Intermediate
SCI10475 -  Neuroscience Intermediate
BIO72130 -  Human Pathophysiology Intermediate
Year 2, Session 2
HLT10484 -  Osteopathic Studies IV Advanced
OST72001 -  Osteopathic Diagnosis I Intermediate
BIO00326 -  Exercise Biochemistry Introductory
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
Year 2, Session 3
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory Note 2
Year 3, Session 1
HLT10485 -  Osteopathic Studies V Advanced
OST73002 -  Osteopathic Diagnosis II Advanced
OST81001 -  Osteopathic Medicine I Introductory Note 1
OST82001 -  Osteopathic Clinical Practice and Research I Intermediate Note 1
Year 3, Session 2
HLT10486 -  Osteopathic Studies VI Advanced
OST82002 -  Osteopathic Clinical Practice and Research II Intermediate Note 1
OST82005 -  Osteopathic Medicine II Intermediate Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
CMM71001 -  Health Promotion and Wellness Introductory
Year 1, Session 3
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
HLT10481 -  Osteopathic Studies I Introductory
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
Year 3, Session 1
SCI10475 -  Neuroscience Intermediate
BIO72130 -  Human Pathophysiology Intermediate
Year 3, Session 2
HLT10482 -  Osteopathic Studies II Intermediate
OST71005 -  Osteopathic Science I Introductory
Year 4, Session 1
HLT10483 -  Osteopathic Studies III Intermediate
OST71006 -  Osteopathic Science II Intermediate
Year 4, Session 2
HLT10484 -  Osteopathic Studies IV Advanced
OST72001 -  Osteopathic Diagnosis I Intermediate
Year 5, Session 1
HLT10485 -  Osteopathic Studies V Advanced
OST73002 -  Osteopathic Diagnosis II Advanced
Year 5, Session 2
HLT10486 -  Osteopathic Studies VI Advanced
BIO00326 -  Exercise Biochemistry Introductory
Year 6, Session 1
OST82001 -  Osteopathic Clinical Practice and Research I Intermediate
OST81001 -  Osteopathic Medicine I Introductory
Year 6, Session 2
OST82002 -  Osteopathic Clinical Practice and Research II Intermediate
OST82005 -  Osteopathic Medicine II Intermediate

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 2
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
Year 1, Session 3
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
Follow the Session 1 Commencement from Year 1, Session 1 excluding the units already completed

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Complete the unit under Session 3 below and then follow the relevant Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement excluding the completed unit.
Session 3
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory

Note 1:

AQF8

Note 2:

Alternatively this can be undertaken in Session 1

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Core Units
BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
HLT10481 Osteopathic Studies I Introductory
CMM71001 Health Promotion and Wellness Introductory
BIO71002 Human Physiology I Introductory
BIO71003 Human Physiology II Introductory
HLT10482 Osteopathic Studies II Intermediate
OST71005 Osteopathic Science I Introductory
HLT10483 Osteopathic Studies III Intermediate
SCI10475 Neuroscience Intermediate
BIO72130 Human Pathophysiology Intermediate
OST71006 Osteopathic Science II Intermediate
HLT10484 Osteopathic Studies IV Advanced
BIO00326 Biological Chemistry and Human Metabolism Introductory
MAT71004 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
OST72001 Osteopathic Diagnosis I Intermediate
HLT10485 Osteopathic Studies V Advanced
OST73002 Osteopathic Diagnosis II Advanced
OST81001 Osteopathic Medicine I Introductory Note 1
OST82001 Osteopathic Clinical Practice and Research I Intermediate Note 1
HLT10486 Osteopathic Studies VI Advanced
PHA00315 Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
OST82002 Osteopathic Clinical Practice and Research II Intermediate Note 1
OST82005 Osteopathic Medicine II Intermediate Note 1