Osteopathic Letter - Master in Osteopathy

Dear students and graduates,

Several students and graduates contacted us with questions about the master's program. Apparently, misleading information is provided on this issue through various external sources. This makes students and graduates uncertain. For this reason, we want to clarify the master's story. We will credit the source so you can verify this information.

Luc Peeters, MSc.Ost. and Grégoire Lason, MSc.Ost.

1. 49 European countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark (countries where the IAO operates) have implemented the European Bologna Process.

2. The main purpose of this Bologna Process (http://ec.europa.eu/education/higher-education/doc1290_en.htm) is to make all training equivalent so that the various professions can be practised in all European countries, regardless where one has studied.

3. ECTS system: (http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc48_en.htm)  is already being used at all universities and colleges in Europe.

One full-time academic year comprises 60 credits and each credit stands for 25 to 30 hours (of 45 minutes) to master a certain subject. These hours can be contact hours in a classroom, study hours at home, hours that are spent on making a thesis,… If one teaches in a part-time system then an academic year can, for example, consist of 30 credits depending on the curriculum.

4. There are two different systems of degrees or diplomas:

Bachelor or Master of Arts: this is about professions such as theologian or philosopher.

Bachelor or Master of Science: this is about academic professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or osteopathy.

In certain fields such as sociology, both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science can be granted. In all medical practicing professions, however,it is always about science.

5. Bachelor of Science:

Courses of at least 180 credits, max 240 credits. This amounts to a minimum of 3 years in a full-time system. In a part-time system this will amount to several more years. It is often so that bachelors of science courses are only used for moving up to the masters of science. This then means that with a bachelor degreeone may not practise a profession or only a profession with executive tasks.

Example: Bachelor of science in nursing: one may work as a nurse to carry outexecutive tasks. Master of science in nursing: one works as a nurse with many more tasks with responsibility and owndecision making.

6. Master of Science:

Requirement to participate in a Master degree: Bachelor of Science or equivalent (these degrees did not exist before and that is why we talk about equivalences).
Courses of at least 60 credits and a maximum of 120 credits. A master with 120 credits has access to a doctorate or PhD. study which is different depending on the university but usually consists of at least three years.

7. Overall picture: 

8. Recognition 

As for a Bachelor or Master one does not talk about "recognition” but about accreditation.

The European Union has established ENQA within the framework of the Bologna Process. (http://www.enqa.eu/index.lasso) This body sets the education rules and qualities. It recognises national or regional accreditation organizations that accredit the courses offered.
A program must obtain an accreditation from a recognized accreditation organization to be allowed to grant a Bachelor or Master degree.
Accreditation organizations:

In the Flanders and the Netherlands: NVAO (http://www.nvao.net).
In Wallonia and Brussels: AEQES (http://www.aeqes.be/agence.cfm).
In Austria: FHR (http://www.fhr.ac.at).
In Switzerland: (http://www.enqa.eu/agencydet.lasso?id=3).
In Germany: including and specifically for medical programs: ZeVa. (http://www.enqa.eu/agencydet.lasso?id=29).
In Denmark: EVA (http://www.enqa.eu/agencydet.lasso?id=34).
The Master program at the University of Applied Sciences (fhg Tirol) in cooperation with IAO is accredited by FHR, which in turn is recognised by ENQA. A fully accredited program and MSc.Ost. is awarded by the University of Applied Sciences.
Fully accredited also means that this title of MSc.Ost. of the University of Applied Sciences / IAO may be used anywhere across Europe and beyond. Countries recognize each other's accredited degrees. 

Example of this: “The Master degree granted is fully consistent with the Flemish DECREE OF 4 APRIL 2003 CONCERNING THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION (B.S., 14 July 2003). In article 25, §6 of this reform act is it very clearly stated: The person who by virtue of an examination, in a higher education institution not established in the Flemish Community, has been granted a degree of bachelor, master or doctor (doctor of philosophy, with abbreviation PhD or Dr) and who is entitled to hold this title in the country concerned, is also entitled to hold that degree as title in the Flemish Community in the same way as in the country concerned indicating the higher education institution that has granted the degree."

10. Academic difference between Bachelor and Master:

A Bachelor can apply the learned material as he / she has learned it.
A Master can not only apply the learned material in the situations taught but also in unfamiliar situations. Patients are always new, different and this requires the Master degree level.
A Master can more critically assess and evaluate his / her activities. He / she is better trained to scientifically evaluate the practical results and continue to improve on the basis of scientific information.
The Master program therefore contributes to become a better osteopath.

11. Why Master?:

One becomes a better osteopath with better results and safer treatments.
Respect and trust of patients and other health care workers who will appreciate and respect your title.
As soon as there are sufficient MSc.Ost. osteopaths, we will apply for recognition of the profession. Let us not forget that doctors osteopaths (DGOM) demand of the non-doctors osteopaths that they meet the minimum level: MSc.Ost.

12. Misleading information that is circulating:

One must have 300 credits in order to join a Doctorate or PhD program: wrong, one needs to have a Master degree of 120 credits, which is the maximum. There are no Master degrees with more than 120 credits …
An IAO graduate does not have a BSc.Ost. This is indeed true but a physiotherapist who has done a part of the IAO course and has passed the exams has an equivalent that is deemed equivalent to a BSc.Ost. to participate in the Master degree.
The Master program with the DIU (Dresden, Germany) in cooperation with the OSD (Osteopathy School Germany) supplies an accredited Master: wrong. As there are still own laws in the Bundesland Sachsen that have not yet been attuned to European laws, this private university can award DIU masters. The title only applies in Germany. Other countries do not recognize this title because it does not concern an accredited Master degree.
The Master program at the Krems university (Austria) in cooperation with WSO (Wiener School for Osteopathy) supplies an accredited master. This is indeed correct. It concerns a 90-credit Master degree.
The Master program at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) supplies an accredited Master degree. Wrong. This program was not accredited by AEQES.
In Switzerland one will only accept full-time education to become an osteopath. This goes against the Bologna Process which Switzerland itself has signed. It is not about full-time or part-time, but about obtaining the correct number of credits through accredited education programs.
In Germany there are schools that defend the Bachelor degree or Doctor's degree. “Doctor” does not refer to a scientific profession like osteopath. Obviously, Bachelor does not refer to a profession with high responsibility such as a Master.
The modules Integration 3 and Integration 4 can only be attended when one has been enrolled in the additional Master course. Wrong. Even when not enrolled in the Master course, one can attend these modules. If one takes (and passes) exams for them, one does not need to re-take them when registering for the Master degree later on.
One must be DO (made the thesis) to be allowed to participate in the Master program. Wrong. One can join the Master program from the fourth year osteopathy IAO. Upon obtaining the MSc.Ost. one acquires the DO degree at the same time.
DO degrees will lead to recognition of the profession. Impossible. Europe and all ministries of education only accept the BAMA system (Bachelor/Master), they have committed to that end through the Bologna Process.
DO degrees will lead to recognition of the profession. Impossible. In order to have osteopathy recognized as an independent profession, osteopaths will need to be able to demonstrate that they are competent in unfamiliar situations (each patient) to safely use the learned material. This is only possible through MSc.Ost.
MSc.Ost…. does not make me a better osteopath. Wrong. As a MSc.Ost. an osteopath will be more efficient in his / her treatment results and will work more structured and evidence-based.
With a MSc.Ost. I will not earn more than I do now. Wrong. With a MSc.Ost. one will get more results, generate more respect from patients and  doctors. This leads to a larger patient base and more optimum partnerships.