The Postgraduate Diploma will:
1. Ensure graduates are competent to apply for registration with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand to meet the needs of local communities in the provision of primary healthcare.
2. Ensure graduates are competent to work in osteopathic practice in New Zealand and understand their limitations and scope of practice boundaries.
3. Enable graduates to enhance the osteopathic profession through an understanding of the need to partner with tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti and demonstrate a commitment to meeting these responsibilities.

Graduates of the Post Graduate Diploma in Osteopathy will be able to:
1. Critically reflect on the responsibilities of te Tiriti o Waitangi by demonstrating cultural responsiveness and a commitment to the provision of equitable culturally responsive health care practices. (Domain 1)
2. Apply OCNZ competencies to practice meeting the professional standards required for registration pathways and regulated health practice in Aotearoa NZ. (Domain 1,2,3,4,5).
3. Critically examine osteopathic practice, maintaining professional competence, and uphold the principles of health education, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. (Domain 1, 3, 4)
4. Operate within the scope of osteopathic practice, integrating and adapting evidence-informed osteopathic clinical science knowledge, skills, techniques and reasoning to person-centred care. (Domain 1, 3)
5. Critically reflect and take action to practice in an inclusive, person-centred partnership that enhances mana, promotes cultural responsiveness, and respect diversity, ensuring effective engagement with patients and their
whānau. (Domain 2)
6. Critically reflect on and articulate evidence informed osteopathic philosophy, a professional ethos and rationale for osteopathic practice. (Domain 3, 5).

Master in Health Science (Ara, AUT, Canterbury, Otago, Auckland), Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management (Otago), Master of Health Practice in Child Health (AUT), Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management (Otago), Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Acupuncture (AUT), Master of Health Practice in Acupuncture (AUT), Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science in Child Health (AUT), Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Science in Child Health (AUT), Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Science in Older Adult: Health and Wellness (AUT), Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management (University of Otago), Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences endorsed in Pain and Pain Management (University of Otago)

Academic Requirements
Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health.

Alternative Requirements
Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact Ara for advice.

If you do not hold the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health, you may:
* provide evidence of having completed a relevant professional qualification; and
* provide evidence of successful completion of a relevant qualification or programme of study which is equivalent to the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health, through the submission of a portfolio of evidence.
If your undergraduate degree is not assessed as meeting the full requirements for this programme, enrolment in transitional or undergraduate courses may be required before admission to this programme.

English Requirements
If English is not the applicant's first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart. Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact us for an assessment.
* IELTS 6.5 Academic (no lower than 6.5 in any subtest)

Note:
The English Language requirements for this programme are higher than the minimum set by NZQA, therefore; applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance may be required to provide evidence of English Language skills.
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.

Additional Entry Requirements:
* In order to access an individual placement in this programme, the applicant may be required to provide evidence of immunity to particular infectious diseases or other health requirements specific to the practice.

* Consent to Disclosure of Information
Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form. The form will be sent by Ara to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service and returned in confidence to the Faculty Dean or delegate. Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website.

Admission
Applicants who meet the requirements for admission will be offered a place in the programme.