Level One Broken Down

Our new online dual modality course and its creation.

The level one programme of 16 online modules has taken us thousands of hours to create, This is because online teaching has very different demands and expectations to that of face to face learning. There are no coffee breaks, or time for walks at lunch, so every second we have the student’s attention, has to be filled with engaging content. That has meant that the total number of hours, far exceeds that of any level one course that we have run face to face. 

To explain a little further… everything we create for our online course has to be logged and reported clearly and precisely, and videos have to be slower and highly specific. This is to ensure that a student who is watching online, can see safely how to palpate an area of anatomy or stretch/articulate a particular limb. Videos have to be taken from several different angles and presentations have to be exceptionally concise. 

In addition to the 16 modules, students will also have access to 6 webinars and supporting documentation. They may also post questions to the Facebook group, in order to achieve clarification at the end of a section. The teaching team will then run a live webcast to answer the question/s being posed, so that direct interaction can take place if required. 

The end result is a course which adds up to 300 hours of learning. That being taught and self-directed. There are formative and summative assessments, both theoretical and practical to pass and students are expected to undertake a range of clinical cases during the academic period.

What is “Level One” exactly? 

Level One forms the fundamental building blocks of all our practitioner canine programmes and aims to offer practitioners a robust baseline knowledge from which to grow as a canine practitioner. Successful completion and comprehension of the content will give practitioners all they need to enter our Level Two Canine Diploma Pathway with confidence. 

How does the pathway work? 

We run our Masterclass Pathway (fully certified) courses with 18 students per cohort, but because of the online nature of the course, we are able to add students to the programme throughout a period of time – typically one month, or as soon as we reach full capacity (whichever is sooner). As soon as a students joins, if the “start date” has commenced, you will be added to Teachable (our main teaching platform) and your studies can commence. 

Students from a single entry point, will also be connected via their own unique Facebook Group, where they can chat and share knowledge and experience. This platform also allows the students to get to know each other, so that when they meet at the practicum, they aren’t complete strangers. 

The first Masterclass Pathway (MCP) practicum option will typically run 8-9 months after the start date (COVID permitting). This timescale is chosen because students must first complete the 16 modules of the programme, all end of module assessments and self-directed learning activities, which are associated with the content. This must be completed before booking a practicum date. If students cannot make the first practicum option, they will be able to join the next available event. At this stage it is worth reminding prospective students that , from the start of the pathway, they have 24 months in which to complete the entire Level One course. This is double what is required, thus allowing for other life plans and commitments. 

Practicums typically take place in April/May and September/October. The Online Enhanced Interaction Pathway (OEIP) students will be run alongside those studying the MCP, so that if OEIP students wish to add the practicum to their pathway of learning, they may do so, if there is space to attend. 

Who can apply?

Typical applicants are osteopaths, student osteopaths, veterinary physiotherapists and vets. However, we are happy to consider anyone from a professional background, who can demonstrate that they have a solid grounding in canine or equine therapy (as appropriate). This could be a well trained equine/canine bodyworker or a NARCH canine hydrotherapist. The course is academic in nature, so the key for us, is to ensure that any applicant who starts at level one, has a chance to successfully complete the course. If we think this unlikely, you will be advised to undertake further studies before joining us.

If you would like to talk to someone about your application, please feel free to contact us and we can arrange a meeting with the Programme Director.

For further information, go to our full course page or write to AOI on contact@animalosteopathyinternational.com