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Master of Chiropractic

CHIR19MTV1

Faculty:
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Award:
Master of Chiropractic (MChiroprac)
Admission Requirement:
Australian level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent in a relevant discipline with substantial study in anatomy and physiology with a GPA of 4.00 (out of 7.00) or overseas equivalent; or Macquarie University level 7 qualification in chiropractic
English Language Proficiency:
Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent
Study Mode:
Full-time, Part-time
Attendance Mode:
Internal
Candidature Length:
Full-time: 2 years - 3 years depending on RPL granted
Commencement:
North Ryde — Session 1 (25 February 2019)
Volume of Learning:
Equivalent to 3 years
General requirements:
Minimum number of credit points 96
Minimum number of credit points at 600 level 32
Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above 64
Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below
Note:
Students that have completed the Macquarie University Bachelor of Chiropractic Science or Graduate Diploma Chiropractic Science will enter the Master of Chiropractic in year 2. Their program of study is 2 years full time in length or equivalent part-time. Students who are entering with a prior bachelor degree majoring in anatomy and physiology will enter the Master of Chiropractic in year 1. These students must have a GPA of 4.0 (out of 7.0). Their program of study is 3 years full time in length or equivalent part time.

In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.

Specific minimum requirements:

Credit points

600 level

Required
8
Chiropractic A (8)
 
Required
8
Chiropractic B (8)
 
Required
4
Medical Sciences A (4)
 
Required
4
Medical Sciences B (4)
 
Required
4
Radiographic Science (4)
 
Required
4
Diagnostic Sciences (4)
 

800 level

Required
4
Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis 2 (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Chiropractic 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Chiropractic 2 (4)
 
Required
4
Clinic Internship 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Clinic Internship 2 (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Chiropractic 3 (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Chiropractic 4 (4)
 
Required
4
Diagnostic Imaging 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Diagnostic Imaging 2 (4)
 
Required
4
Physical and Functional Assessment (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Management (4)
 
Required
4
Postgraduate Advanced Research I (4)
 
Required
4
Postgraduate Advanced Research II (4)
 
Required
4
Diagnosis and Management 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Diagnosis and Management 2 (4)
 

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM

96
AQF Level Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree
CRICOS Code 084699J
Overview and Aims of the Program The Macquarie University Masters of Chiropractic degree program educates students in the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic skills required for registration as a chiropractor, using a rigorous, evidence-based framework. Chiropractors are primary contact healthcare practitioners who use manual therapies and active care to treat and prevent dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors consider the biopsychosocial aspects of musculoskeletal pain and work collaboratively with other healthcare providers in the promotion of health and optimum musculoskeletal function. The Master of Chiropractic is an internationally recognised degree program that strives to graduate enquiring, diligent and ethical clinicians and researchers with the potential to become leaders in the field of musculoskeletal healthcare.
Graduate Capabilities

The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:

Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative


Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible

Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning

Program Learning Outcomes By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:

1. synthesise the foundational sciences acquired in the undergraduate years in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology, and integrate them into clinical situations (K, T)
2. demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in chiropractic medicine (K, T)
3. apply an evidence-based approach to chiropractic professional practice and scholarship, by utilising and reflecting on present knowledge and prior experience and applying higher level critical thinking skills (T, P, J)
4. demonstrate an ethical awareness and legal knowledge that shows a professional responsibility to the patient, other medical colleagues and the wider community (C, E, J)
5. Show a high standard of discernment and common sense in professional and personal judgment (T, E, J)
6. demonstrate clinical expertise in therapeutic skills that is underpinned by a sound knowledge of biomechanics, electrophysiological therapeutics, rehabilitation, chiropractic techniques and soft tissue modalities (K, T)
7. design strategies for the collection and evaluation of diagnostic information for the purposes of making clinical decisions regarding patient prognosis, management, and referral (K, T, P, C, E, J)
8. communicate with members of the general public, patients and fellow professionals, and operate in a multi-disciplinary, multi-tiered, healthcare environment (C, E, J)
9. tailor the intervention to the patient by understanding the importance of the biopsychosocial model in patient management (K, T, P, C, E, J)
10. demonstrate cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice (K, T, P, J)
11. critically evaluate research and apply current evidence to the theory and clinical practice of chiropractic (K, T, P).
Learning and Teaching Methods As a student undertaking the Master of Chiropractic degree at Macquarie University, your learning and development will be facilitated by a number of different teaching methods. Some of these learning and teaching methods will be ones that you have seen before in your undergraduate studies, whilst others may be new to you. The variety of teaching methods are intended to meet the various learning styles students have, and in this way enable you to master the requirements of this discipline. The acquisition of knowledge and skills is discipline specific and is determined by the independent accrediting body – The Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA). The Chiropractic Board of Australia (CBA), a division of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requires that all Chiropractors must be suitably trained, qualified, and maintain defined standards in order to be registered as healthcare providers. Broadly speaking, you will learn how to assess and manage patients. The content in the postgraduate course builds upon the framework that you developed in your undergraduate studies. Lectures, tutorials and practical sessions are used to help students gain the clinical knowledge and high-level technical-skills necessary for a chiropractic practitioner. These are further enhanced through readings and online presentations. There is an emphasis on case-based scenarios which prepare students for real life clinical encounters. Equal importance is given to the theoretical and practical components in the course so that you may become proficient at operating in a clinical environment. A large component of your final year, and a culmination of much of what you have learnt in the program, is the clinical internship. You will serve as a chiropractic intern at one of the three Macquarie University Chiropractic Clinics. The structure of this internship is designed to hone your clinical capacity in a safe and fully supervised clinical environment. You will be given the opportunity to interact with, diagnose and formulate management plans for the patients that you see in the clinics. Clinical placements are also arranged so that you will be exposed to a variety of patient profiles and healthcare settings. You are encouraged to co-manage patients with other healthcare professionals which will foster your interpersonal and professional communication skills.

In order to develop an evidence-based approach to the profession there is an emphasis on research methodology and research development, culminating in a fifth year research project. Exposure to the appraisal of research papers throughout this program develops the skills necessary for you to comprehend and appraise clinical research and incorporate this into your clinical practice. This also equips you with the skills required to become a life-long learner.

Prospective students with a disability which could interfere with their participation in the program are advised to contact the department.
Assessment Teaching begins with predetermined learning outcomes and the purpose of assessment is find out whether these have been attained. For you, the student, assessment acts both as a guide to your learning and also a means of determining whether you have acquired the skills and expertise necessary to function as a future healthcare practitioner. To be registered, and in order to practice as a chiropractor in Australia, students must attain a high level of clinical knowledge and technical skill. Assessment in this program thus serves to ensure both theoretical and practical competency has been achieved.

The chiropractic program utilizes a wide variety of assessment methodologies that serve to achieve the clinical competencies set by the accreditation body - The Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA). Apart from written assignments, class tests, and final examinations, particular attention is given to tasks which assess the diagnostic and clinical capabilities that you will have developed over the course of the program. Your clinical internship in the final year of the Master of Chiropractic has several competency-based assessments that are designed to evaluate your development as a healthcare practitioner. These assessments also provide evidence that you are accumulating the necessary clinical experience to function safely and effectively in the healthcare workforce. There are several opportunities to present cases and research material, which develop necessary skills in communication and presentation that are essential to working in a multidisciplinary healthcare team or environment.

An adjunct to the assessment process is feedback about your performance in your various assessment tasks. This information can be used to highlight areas that require improvement as well as provide you with the framework by which to calibrate your performance against your peers or against previous personal performances. This feedback may be formal or informal, written or oral, individual or group based and makes up a necessary input for you achieve the relevant competencies required in your post-graduate studies.
Recognition of Prior Learning

Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.


Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/rpl

Support for Learning

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing

Program Standards and Quality

The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders.

In addition, the Master of Chiropractic is subject to regular review by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australia (CCEA), which is the professional accrediting body for chiropractic education in Australasia.
Graduate Destinations and Employability Once qualified graduates are able to register and practice as chiropractors. Other opportunities include academic and consultant positions.
Assessment Regulations

This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy.

Fitness to Practice Requirements Students undertaking this program and its associated placements are required to demonstrate that they are fit to practice and compliant with these requirements. Students need to demonstrate that they are able to practice safely and properly throughout their program and placements to meet core learning outcomes.

Students identified at risk of not meeting Fitness to Practice Requirements will be notified, provided with support and monitored to assist them in achieving the program and/or placement requirements.

Students who fail to meet Fitness to Practice requirements will be permanently excluded from the program.
Accreditation This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Accreditation is provided by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA).

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program.

Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:

Physical: The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Cognition: The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Communication: The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.

Behavioural: The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements



2019 Unit Information

When offered:
S1 Day
Prerequisites:
Permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
Corequisites:
None
NCCWs:
HSC Chinese, CHN113, CHN148