Admissions
What is the admission process?
A candidate is required to submit (via email or mail ) an application form from the website. The application form must be accompanied by a transcript from a health care or science program and a CV. If the candidate meets the requirements, then the school will notify and arrange an interview for the candidate, usually within 1 week.
Is there an application fee?
There is a non refundable $150.00 processing fee.
Who is eligible to apply?
The following practitioners may apply:
- Physiotherapists with a manual therapy designation
- Registered Massage Therapists on a case by case basis
- Chiropractors
- Athletic Therapists
- D.O. s
- Physicians
- Naturopathic Doctors
- *Yoga or Pilates teachers with a B. Sc or equivalent experience
- *Osteopathic Practitioners
- *Registered Nurses with manual therapy experience
- *Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners
- *Shiatsu
People with B.S.C or higher with therapeutic experience may be eligible.
*Indicates that applicant may have to take an entrance test or will have to take an prerequisite course.
The admission requirement may be updated in following academic years and will also be updated on the website as required.
Does one have to be enrolled to take the program to take modules?
Because the program has a specific didactic method with each year building on the prior, only enrolled students can take the core practical modules past year one. However, DOMPs are allowed to register for the non core modules. D.C.s and N.D.s are also permitted to register for the Functional Neurology and Medicine modules provided that there is space available. Health Care practitioners are allowed to take year one modules and may be eligible to enroll in the the certificate programs.
Program details
How long is the program?
The program is 4 years and an additional research term which will be less than half a year. There is a post graduate program that is a specialty course lasting 80-100 hours.
What happens in year?
Within a year, the classes are broken into modules, theory lectures and cadaver dissections in the upper years. Years 2-4 have student clinic and the research year has lecture and specialty courses. There are approximately 8 modules and 20 physiology classes in a year. The dates will be listed on the handout once students are accepted.
What is a module?
A ‘module’ is a 4 day practical and theory course that is approximately 8 hours per day.
What is the AOS school year and when does it start?
The school year starts in September and is 1 term is 11 calendar months. In years 2 and 3, there may be 1 module between terms.
Content
What are the techniques that I will learn?
While the emphasis is on critical thinking and application, techniques covered will be structural, visceral, cranial, general osteopathic techniques, neurological, muscle energy techniques, lymphatic and connective tissue. Specific remedial exercises, orthopedic and neurological testing are also included in addition to the manual therapy modules.
Can I use these techniques outside with the public?
It should be noted that students who are therapists are only allowed to use techniques from individual modules within their own scope of practice according to their professions and insurance coverage. However, AOS STRONGLY discourages working on the public outside of student clinic until graduation. We feel that to be true proficiency will take years under careful supervision during class time and tutorials. Students who are not manual therapists are not permitted to work on the public until graduation. Also please note that individual modules do not constitute ‘osteopathy’. Students will also be required to have liability insurance before entering the program.
Credibility
Does it follow the WHO standards?
Yes, it’s a 4.5 year part-time program consisting of over 1100 in-class hours with a research study after the 4th year. The World Health Organization standards require 1000 hours for Class 2 education. For further information on the standards, click here.
Who is teaching?
All instructors of the core program are either American osteopathic physicians and their assistants, medical doctors, European osteopathic practitioners or Canadian osteopathic manual practitioners recognized by the OAO (Ontario) or Quebec organizations.
What will I receive when I graduate?
Upon graduation, a student will receive a diploma of osteopathic practice and science.
Location
Where are the courses held?
The courses are held in the Toronto Area.
Studying
How long should I study?
At least 1-2 hours per day are recommended for studying.
Can I still work and take the program?
Students are allowed to work; however over 90% of the modules and theory classes must be attended. Students who miss a module are required to make it up outside of regular class time and may also be given supplemental testing.