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Graduates of the Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy program are equipped with advanced professional skills that promote comprehensive care of their patients, beyond the basic scope of practice.

Students learn to streamline clinical consultations and improve interview efficacy by developing as active listeners and effective communicators. Motivational interviewing improves graduates’ ability to engage with their patients, and work with them to establish personalized goals for their treatment.

Online courses in the Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy field of the Advanced Health Care Practice Program are taught using various digital and online mediums that bring course content to life and encourage student engagement and group  discussions. Students acquire new knowledge through world-class instructors, relevant readings, videos and guest lecturers representing diverse health disciplines.

Instructors present patient assessments to the class in order to illustrate key concepts, and students collaborate on authentic case studies to apply and reinforce what they have learned. Group work fosters a sense of community in the classroom, and encourages perspective sharing and reflective practice among classmates.

On-site residency periods and one-on-one mentorships support online coursework, providing students with face-to-face instruction from prominent Canadian manipulative therapy experts, many of whom are also graduates of this program.

Are you considering registration with the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy?

The Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (CMP Stream) program is an intense one-year program comprised of seven online courses - two academic courses, three clinical specialty courses and two full-year courses. There are three intensive residency periods wherein students are required to be on campus at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â. Those periods take place in September, February and July.

• This program option prepares physiotherapists to be advanced clinicians in the assessment and treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction and provide effective management of complex clinical conditions.
• Through advanced clinical reasoning, evidence-informed and experienced orthopaedic practice, the physiotherapist will be able to apply the biopsychosocial framework to manage clients, and when indicated, use the skill of manipulation safely, effectively and appropriately in their own clinical practice.
• Graduates are eligible to apply as a fellow in the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT). Graduates obtain the research and professionalism competencies necessary for CPA specialization.
• This program option requires students to be on campus for residency periods in September, February and July (see below).

Fall Term (September-December)

AHCP9600: Critical Appraisal of Health Literature
This course is designed to provide participants with an introduction to quantitative research methods including basic study design and critical appraisal of studies evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention:

• Validity of a diagnostic test
• Identification of risk factors for disease development
• Identification of prognostic factors for disease outcomes
• The quality of a systematic review

AHCP9640: Advanced Orthopaedics
This course emphasizes the principles, rationale, effects, and practical application of advanced practice musculoskeletal clinical reasoning and the application of manual therapy involving the upper and lower quadrants, including:

• Use clinical and deductive reasoning in the assessment and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal clients by considering the best available evidence, reflecting on clinical expertise and respecting the wishes of the patient
• Recognize and differentially diagnosis patients presenting with neuro-musculoskeletal syndromes involving the upper and lower quadrants by triangulating data based on understanding pain mechanisms, clinical patterns (evidenced informed clinical history and examination), natural history, and prognostic indicators within the biopsychosocial framework
• Identify indications and contraindications (red, yellow, blue flags) for manual therapy including manipulation

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
One hundred and fifty hours of clinical mentorship will be completed in a designated clinical placement setting(s). If there is an eligible appropriate FCAMPT 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 FCAMPT mentor in the London region for a one-week block (or timeline arranged by the student and the course manager) after each on-site block. The clinical mentorship is targeted to advance the goals of the clinician including providing mentorship opportunities with advance practice roles. 

AHCP9630: Research Experience
Various research experience projects will be offered by researchers affiliated with °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â. The course will provide students with the opportunities to be part of a group project that may involve systematic reviews, knowledge translation, or data collection for a new or ongoing project related to orthopedics or manual therapy. This course will culminate in a presentation at Research Day in July.

On-Campus Residency Period: 2-3 weeks in September

Winter Term (January-April)

AHCP9610: Advanced Professional Practice (March - May)
This course introduces medical diagnostic testing and pharmacology to the advanced orthopaedic physical therapy practitioner. It will also focus on:

AHCP9650: Advanced Orthopaedics II (January - April)
This course will be a continuation of AHCP9640 with further learning objectives including:

• Recognize and differentially diagnosis patients presenting with complex neuro-musculoskeletal syndromes involving the upper and lower quadrants
• Appreciate the interdependence and limitations of the patho-anatomical, biopsychosocial and functional model for hypothesis generation
• Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills in the treatment of patients with complex neuro-musculoskeletal problems which includes identifying dominant pain mechanisms and biopsychosocial issues
• Discuss the impact of work-related injuries on prognosis and predicting rehab outcome and management strategies
• Review recent scientific evidence pertaining to the treatment properties of orthopedic conditions including those that may require manual therapy treatment techniques and understand how such information can be used to promote an evidence-informed approach in clinical practice

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
See course description above.

AHCP9630: Research Experience
See course description above.

On-Campus Residency Period: 3 weeks in February/March

Summer Term (May-August)

AHCP9610: Advanced Professional Practice (Cont'd until June)

AHCP9620: Clinical Mentorship
Completion of clinical mentorship hours and satisfactory performance on clinical exam (to be scheduled during summer residency period - July).
See course description above.

AHCP9630: Research Experience
Presentation of results from a supervised research experience at the AHCP Research Day (to be scheduled in July each year).
See course description above.

AHCP9680: Clinical Consolidation (CMP)
This mandatory course consolidates theoretical knowledge and practical skills covered in AHCP9640 and AHCP9650 advanced orthopaedic courses. This course links the advanced orthopaedic courses, the clinical mentoring hours and the critical appraisal of the evidence that students accumulate during the prior academic year with a patient presentation from the student’s clinical caseload. There is also practical examination that tests practical, oral and clinical reasoning skills associated with spinal manipulation.

On-Campus Residency Period: 1-2 weeks in July

Are you a registered fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy?
Have you earned an Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy?

The Advanced Standing Stream is designed for physical therapists who already possess the Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy will receive advanced standing for AHCP9620, AHCP9640, AHCP9650 and AHCP9680. Course requirements will focus on Research Methods (AHCP9600), Advanced Professional Practice (AHCP9610) and a Group Research Project (AHCP9630). This stream does not have a residency requirement.

• This program option is designed for registered fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT) possessing an Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy and wanting to expand their professional and research interests.
• Students in this stream participate fully online and take fewer courses than those in the full program.

Fall Term (September-December)

AHCP9600: Critical Appraisal of Health Literature
This course is designed to provide participants with an introduction to quantitative research methods including basic study design and critical appraisal of studies evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention:

• Validity of a diagnostic test
• Identification of risk factors for disease development
• Identification of prognostic factors for disease outcomes
• The quality of a systematic review

AHCP9630: Research Experience
Various research experience projects will be offered by researchers affiliated with °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â. The course will provide students with the opportunities to be part of a group project that may involve systematic reviews, knowledge translation, or data collection for a new or ongoing project related to orthopedics or manual therapy. This course will culminate in a presentation at Research Day in July.

Winter Term (January-April)

AHCP9610: Advanced Professional Practice (March - May)
This course introduces medical diagnostic testing and pharmacology to the advanced orthopaedic physical therapy practitioner. It will also focus on:

AHCP9630: Research Experience
See course description above.

Summer Term (May-August)

AHCP9630: Research Experience
Presentation of results from a supervised research experience at the AHCP Research Day (to be scheduled in July each year).

See course description above.

In addition to the general requirements listed above, applicants to the CMP stream must:

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Be licensed to practice physiotherapy in Canada with a minimum of two years of clinical experience in orthopaedics
• Have completed, or be in the process of completing, the Level II Upper and Lower Courses in the CPA Orthopaedic Division Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy
  • If Level II course availability is an issue, please contact the Program Assistant - ahcp@uwo.ca
• 30 hours of documented mentoring, including at least 20 hours of direct supervision (which may be virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions

In addition to the general requirements listed above, applicants to the FCAMPT stream must be:

• Licensed to practice physiotherapy in Canada
• Registered with the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT)

As a prerequisite to the Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy field, students are required to complete 30 hours of mentoring with a certified FCAMPT Physical Therapist.

• Mentorship hours must be completed no later than June 30 in the year of application
• Hours can be a combination of direct and indirect, however, no more than 10 hours can be indirect
• Direct hours can be virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions
• Visit to acquire the mentorship log forms and view the national database for available mentors

Students are responsible for securing their own clinical mentor(s).

Students with difficulties acquiring the 30 hours of mentorship should contact the Program Assistant - ahcp@uwo.ca. 

In addition to completing the , applicants are required to submit the field-specific supplemental materials outlined below. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all supplemental application materials are uploaded as part of their online application.

Orthopaedic Clinical Experience:

Using the form below, applicants should outline their previous clinical experience in the area of orthopaedic physical therapy. Do not include non-orthopaedic clinical experience. List current (ie. most recent) clinical experience first.

• Clinical Experience Form

Note: Two years of clinical experience in orthopaedic physical therapy is required for admission.

Program Mentorship Options:

The program includes a mentorship course in which students will work with registered mentors of the National Orthopaedic Division of FCAMPTs. Based on the preference indicated below by the applicant, the program may assist with arranging mentorship.

Applicants should indicate if they would prefer to do their mentorship hours:

• In London (ie. an additional week of on-site time in the fall and/or winter terms only if there is no available mentorship in your home region), or
• In their home region

Level Certificates:

Copies of Certificates from all completed level courses are required.

CV/Resume:

Please provide information on education, clinical and other experience.

Proof of completed mentorship hours:

Provide (a) proof of completion of 30 hours of mentorship and (b) a photocopy of Mentorship Log Book, signed by a registered mentor is acceptable.

Proof of current registration to practice:

Photocopies are acceptable.

FCAMPT Support Documentation:

• Registration with the Fellowship in Canadian Manipulative Physical Therapy (FCAMPT) organization.
• A CV/résumé of educational, clinical and other experience.

• Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following: 
  
  • The  (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 105 (internet-based test); 620 (paper-based test); 260 (computer-based test). [°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â's TOEFL ID is 0984]. 
  • The  (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 7.5 out of 9. 
  • The .  The minimum acceptable score is 135.
• Applicants who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to complete one of the above tests or programs and to have the official results sent directly to  by the testing agency. 
• The English language proficiency requirements outlined above do not apply to students from Quebec 

Have questions about applying?

Email ahcp@uwo.ca.

To apply to the Advanced Health Care Practice - Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy program, students should:

• Visit the   website
• Follow the instructions on that page to access the application
• Select "Advanced Health Care Practice" from the program options in the application and select the appropriate field

Application Deadline

• Applications will open November 1 and April 30^th for domestic applicants, and February 15^th for international applicants with Canadian licensure

The annual domestic tuition fee for this program is approximately $14,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).

These fees are subject to change and are set by . Instructions for students paying tuition from a Canadian bank are available from the .

***Please note all fees including mentorship fees and course fees are currently under review and are subject to change and adjustment*

I have not been in school for a while, what if I can’t acquire two academic references?

Students who have not been in school for more than five years may use a person who is not affiliated with a university (non-academic) reference for one of their letters.

What happens if I apply on time, but my references or transcript aren't available until after applications close?

• Applications will not be considered by the admission committee until they are complete
• Starting April 1, the limited spots that are available in the program will be filled by students who have provided complete applications
• Students are strongly encouraged to have applications complete at least two weeks prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time for other requirements (transcripts, reference letters) to be delivered

Have you received a complete application from me?

Students may contact the AHCP Program Assistant ( ahcp@uwo.ca) at any time to check on the status of an application.

When can I expect to hear whether I have been accepted into the program?

The admission committee will review completed application files beginning mid-April each year. This committee makes recommendations for admission to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), which reviews required documents to confirm all requirements. Provided all requirements have been met, SGPS will send out a letter of offer of admission by email to the applicant directly. This typically occurs in late May

Am I eligible to apply if I don’t have two years of orthopaedic clinical experience?

Students can still apply but the admission committee does consider the amount of clinical experience as a criteria for selecting successful applicants.

Do my 30 hours of mentoring have to be completed before applying?

As a prerequisite to the Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy field, students are required to complete 30 hours of mentoring with a certified FCAMPT Physical Therapist.

• Mentorship hours must be completed no later than June 30 in the year of application
• Hours can be a combination of direct and indirect, however, no more than 10 hours can be indirect
• Visit to acquire the mentorship log forms and view the national database for available mentors
• Students with difficulties acquiring the 30 hours of mentorship should contact the AHCP Program Assistant - ahcp@uwo.ca

What constitutes advanced computer skills?

This is a course-based graduate program with many of the required courses delivered using online learning tools. Courses are comprised of several modules each of which include resources (readings, lecture notes, etc.), and learning activities (structured discussions, scheduled teleconferences, assignments, or quizzes). An orientation on how to access and use many of the online learning tools will be provided during the first residency period.

Am I eligible to apply as an international student?

Admission is not offered to international students. All applicants must be licensed health care professionals in Canada.

Am I eligible to apply if I am a Canadian graduate working abroad?

A requirement of this program is that students must complete clinical mentorship hours at an approved clinical site. This requires students to have current registration with the appropriate College and have malpractice insurance that is applicable to their chosen clinical site(s).

Students with advanced standing who are not required to take the clinical mentorship course (eg. already have FCAMPT) may request special consideration to enter the program.

Am I eligible to apply if I can’t attend in-class sessions at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â?

It is mandatory for students to attend the on-site residency periods on °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â’s campus. If you are unable to attend, you will be required to withdraw from the program.

Physical therapists who are CAMPT fellows or already possess the Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy do not have to attend resideny periods.

If I’m already FCAMPT certified, am I still responsible for full-time graduate tuition fees?

All AHCP students pay the same graduate fees. Those students involved in the mentorship program, are levied a fee in addition to graduate fees.

Are there any additional fees outside of tuition for the school year?

All AHCP students pay the same graduate fees. Those students involved in the mentorship program, are levied a fee in addition to graduate fees.

If English is not my first language, what do I need to do?

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency; the TOEFL or an IELTS is recommended. A minimum TOEFL score of 620 (paper-based), 105 (internet-based), 260 (computer-based) or an IELTS score of 7.5 is required.

Students who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve their proficiency to the satisfaction of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Students may be asked to withdraw from the program if their command of English interferes with their ability to provide quality professional services.

Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

How do I provide proof of Malpractice Insurance?

Please bring a copy of your Malpractice Insurance with you on the first day of orientation.

Can I access computer resources after class hours?

Students have access to Elborn College and the computer labs at all times during residency periods.

How much time should I expect to devote to the program?

Students must be registered as full-time graduate students in the AHCP program and are encouraged to continue to work clinically (part-time) during the program in order to be able to incorporate new knowledge and skills into their clinical practice.

Students can expect to devote at least 20 – 30 hours/week to program related activities (i.e. studying, reading, assignments etc).