FAQ
Osteopathy is a type of manual therapy healthcare that considers the whole person. It looks for the cause of what’s going on and works to improve the body's structure and function through hands-on assessment, technique and treatment. Osteopaths help the body heal by working with all the layers of the body’s structure; the muscles, joints, nerves, fascia, and internal systems.
Osteopathy is a rewarding career that combines healthcare, hands-on therapy, clinical reasoning, and working with patients. It lets you be flexible and work for yourself or in a clinical setting. It is in very high demand because it makes a real difference in the lives of patients.
CAO is the oldest osteopathic school in Canada, with a strong academic base and hundreds of successful graduates working in and around the world. CAO puts a lot of emphasis on clinical excellence, thorough training, and being ready for the real world. Its 4200 hour curriculum, with 1500 hours of hands-on training is unmatched in Canada.
CAO has been teaching osteopathy for over 22 years and has a stellar reputation for its academic rigor, clinical training, and graduates' success in private practice and multidisciplinary clinics. Many clinic owners say they will only hire graduates of the CAO.
Type 1 osteopathic education means complete training that meets or exceeds the international benchmarks of 4,200 hours of academic and clinical instruction. This level of education ensures graduates are ready for professional work and recognition by insurance companies in many places.
The CAO program has more than 4,200 hours of classes, classroom labs, and supervised clinical training. It can be completed in 4 years at a regular pace, or 3 years with a fast-track pace.
Students get a mix of:
- Detailed study of anatomy and physiology
- Extensive education in Osteopathic Theory - Hands on Lab training to learn technique and treatment
- Clinical reasoning and diagnosis
- Osteopathic History, Ethics and professionalism - Supervised patient care in teaching clinics
No. CAO has several pathways into the program and accepts students from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. University Health Science/KIN and College Healthcare and Fitness professionals may have direct entry into the program. Those who want to change careers from non-medical fields get access through our Anatomy Preparatory pathway.
The CAO has a structured Anatomy Preparatory curriculum that builds basic sciences from the ground up. It is designed to make sure that students who have never worked in healthcare before can enter into Year 1 of the osteopathy program feeling confident to succeed in the program.
CAO has two campus locations, one in Hamilton Ontario and other in Calgary, Alberta.
Yes. Clinical training is a big part of CAO's program. Our students get 1000 hours of clinical training over the duration of the program. In early years, students do rotations in our Practice Clinic, treating fellow students to build confidence and professional skills. In the final year of the program students do rotations in our Public Charity Clinic with real patients under professor supervision. This helps them get real-world experience before they graduate.
The schedule at the CAO condenses a month of classes into a single week. Students come to the school once each month for a week-long session of classes. Many students work full-time or part-time while going to school.
Graduates work in a variety of settings. Some open their own private osteopathy clinics; others work in multidisciplinary health clinics alongside other health professions.; Some work in Osteopathy clinics with many osteopaths in the same clinic; Many build specialized practices (sports, pediatrics, chronic pain, and women's health). The profession can be customized to suit your needs.
Yes. Many CAO graduates run successful independent practices in Canada and other countries. The CAO program gets Osteopaths ready for clinical work, professional practice, and a long-term career.
Graduates of the CAO obtain the MOMSC designation after graduation. This is widely known in the insurance industry as high-level Type 1 training. Coverage will depend on the patient individual benefits plan, the province you are in, and the professional association you become a member of.
CAO has hundreds of graduates who are working in the field, running successful clinics, and making a difference in the osteopathic profession in Canada and around the world. Graduates from the CAO’s first graduating class in 2006 are still in practice today. This is a testament to the high quality of education that CAO provides.
Yes. CAO makes sure that graduates are confident and ready to work by including clinical experience, ethical standards, and professional readiness throughout the program.
Yes. Osteopathy is booming in Ontario, and the other provinces are not far behind. More and more patients are learning of the benefits of osteopathy to manage pain, improve mobility, and improve their overall health.
Osteopathy may be a perfect fit for you if you are interested in healthcare, working with your hands, problem solving, and helping people. The CAO admissions team can help you learn about the program and your next steps.