MClSc Curriculum

Manipulative Therapy

The MClSc curriculum is one year (three terms) in length.  All courses are a combination of distance education and traditional classroom teaching.  Students will be on-site for 3 weeks in the fall and winter terms and 2 weeks in the summer term.  Distance education components will proceed for the duration of the regular term using a web based instructional program (WebCT).

Fall Term

PT9600: Research Methods and Knowledge Exchange - A study of measurement and methods, critical appraisal and knowledge exchange that are feasible and relevant and for advanced clinical practice.  Examples of topics include: case study design, single subject design, database design and management, program evaluation, systematic reviews and meta-analyses and validation of outcome measures.

PT9640: Advanced Orthopaedics - This course emphasizes the principles, rationale, effects, and practical application of advanced manual therapy involving the upper and lower quadrants. This will include assessment and treatment, including mobilization, manipulation, and functional exercise. The course will develop an advanced understanding of the influence of distal and proximal tissues, including ergonomics on normal and pathological musculoskeletal states. The courses will promote clinical reasoning with regard to the interrelationship of the normal and abnormal anatomy, biomechanics and dysfunctional states of the upper and lower quadrants.

Winter Term

PT9610: Advanced Professional Practice  - A course focusing on ethics, professionalism, communities of practice, critical thinking and clinical reasoning, reflective practice, experiential learning, lifelong learning, ethics, client-centered practice, transcultural issues, development of expertise, and leadership and mentorship.

PT9650: Advanced Manipulative Therapy - This course will be a continuation of 640a and will teach the appropriate treatment of spinal, pelvic and costal joint dysfunction safely and effectively by manipulation techniques with emphasis on clinical reasoning and the indications and contraindications for their use. This course will also include advanced concepts of musculoskeletal pain management.

All Three Terms

PT9620: Clinical Mentorship - Eighty hours of clinical mentorship will be completed in a designated clinical placement setting.  If there is an appropriate FCAMT mentor close to the student’s permanent residence, the mentorship can be organized in the student’s locale.  If an appropriate mentor is not available near the student’s home, the mentorship will be organized with a FCAMT mentor in the London region for a one-week block after each 3-wk on-site block.

PT9630: Research Experience  - A research experience using methodology taught in PT9600.  The research project can be performed in a group or individually, depending on the topic and the interests of the student. It will culminate in a presentation at Research Day in July.  Potential supervisors include: Dr. Trevor Birmingham (PhD PT) Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Dr. Dianne Bryant (PhD) Director of the Center for Advancement in Musculoskeletal Research, Dr. Bert Chesworth (PhD FCAMT), Dr. Joy MacDermid (PhD PT) co-Director of Hand and Upper Limb Center, St Joseph’s Health Care.

Advanced Standing

Physical therapists who already possess the Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy will receive advanced standing for PT9620, PT9640 and PT9650.  Course requirements will focus on research (PT9600) and advanced professional practice (PT9610). Students with FCAMPT will be required to participate in a research project and participate in the School of Physical Therapy Research Day held in July each year. There are two required residency periods lasting 2-3 days throughout the year.

Wound Healing

The MClSc curriculum is one year (three terms) in length.  All courses are a combination of distance education and traditional classroom teaching.  Students will be on-site for 1 - 2 weeks in the fall and winter terms and 2 - 3 weeks in the summer term.  Distance education components will proceed for the duration of the regular term using a web based program (WebCT).

Fall Term

PT9600: Research Methods and Knowledge Exchange - A study of measurement and methods, critical appraisal and knowledge exchange that are feasible and relevant and for advanced clinical practice.  Examples of topics include: case study design, single subject design, database design and management, program evaluation, and outcome measures.

PT9660: Wound Management Principles and Assessment  - This course will instruct and evaluate specialized clinical skills and clinical reasoning specific to the field of wound healing.  For example: utilizing appropriate wound healing outcome measures; understanding etiology underlying common types of chronic wounds;  lower limb assessment and compression therapy; wound dressing selection, and wound cleansing and debridement.

Winter Term

PT9610: Advanced Professional Practice  - A course focusing on ethics, professionalism, communities of practice, critical thinking and clinical reasoning, reflective practice, experiential learning, lifelong learning, ethics, client-centered practice, transcultural issues, development of expertise, and leadership and mentorship.

PT9670: Advanced Wound Treatment - This course is designed to provide the opportunity to learn the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to use adjunctive therapies in the treatment of chronic wounds.  The course will include lectures to review background knowledge and appraise clinical and basic research evidence to guide students in the selection of the best therapeutic modality and identification of appropriate candidates for these therapies.  Advanced knowledge in the application of physical modalities such as electrical stimulation therapy (EST) for the treatment of common types of chronic wounds will be provided.

All Three Terms

PT9620: Clinical Mentorship - 100 hours of clinical mentorship will be completed in a designated clinical placement setting.  If there is an appropriate wound care expert who can mentor close to the student’s permanent residence, the mentorship can be organized in the student’s locale.  If an appropriate mentor is not available near the student’s home, the mentorship will be organized with a clinical faculty member located in either the Toronto or London region.  These mentorship hours could be scheduled before or after the residency periods.

PT9630: Research Experience  - A research experience using methodology taught in PT9600.  The research project can be performed in a group or individually, depending on the topic and the interests of the student.  It will culminate in a presentation at Research Day in July. 

Western provides the best student experience among Canada's leading research-intensive universities.