| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
084699J |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Macquarie University Master 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 Masters 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 Outpatient Clinics and Research centres. 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. |
| 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 and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| 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/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| 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. |
| External Benchmarks |
This program is benchmarked against standards set by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australia (CCEA), which is the body responsible for accreditation of all chiropractic programs in Australasia, and is a member of the Council of Chiropractic Education International (CCEI), the overarching regulating body for chiropractic education worldwide.
The Master of Chiropractic, together with the Bachelor of Chiropractic Science which precedes this program, have been granted accreditation status. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Accreditation is provided by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA). |
