International Medical University

Overview of Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chiropractic in International Medical University Malaysia

ABOUT THE CHIROPRACTIC DEGREE

In Malaysia and regionally, there is a growing demand for chiropractic services as patients become more aware and receptive to holistic and integrated healthcare solutions. If you want to fully understand the human body, its mechanisms, and the musculoskeletal system, then chiropractic could be the right career choice for you.

Chiropractic is a drugless, hands-on healing science that focuses on balancing the nervous system and aligning the human spine. To use an analogy: just as we service our cars to prevent them from breaking down, it is also important to service our bodies to maintain our health.

Chiropractors commonly treat musculoskeletal symptoms such as back and neck pain, headaches, pain in the arms or legs, and many other conditions. Common medical tests such as clinical examination, x-rays, and blood tests are conducted to determine the most appropriate care for each patient.

At IMU, students are given all the tools to become a successful chiropractor. The IMU Chiropractic degree programme emphasizes business management skills and hands-on chiropractic techniques where students work with patients in a supervised clinic that mirrors the experience needed to run a successful practice.

IMU is the only university to offer a Chiropractic Degree programme in Malaysia as well as in all of Southeast Asia. Graduates are eligible to practice in Australia and many other developed countries as the programme is fully accredited by the prestigious Council on Chiropractic Education (CCEA), Australia.

CAREER PATHWAYS

The 4-year Bachelor of Science (Hons) Chiropractic programme at IMU was awarded full accreditation by the prestigious Council on Chiropractic Education, Australasia(CCEA). With this accreditation, graduates with the IMU chiropractic degree would be eligible to practice in Australia and other countries (provided they meet certain local requirements ie English language proficiency, examinations on local legal issues, visa and work permits, etc).

Entry Requirement of Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chiropractic in International Medical University Malaysia

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

# The duration of this programme must be a minimum of 1 year in the same accredited institution and foundation in other disciplines are accepted.

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE

• Foundation in Science qualifications from other higher education institutions will be considered on a case by case basis for admission into the local IMU programmes.
• Students with IMU Foundation in Science can apply into IMU programmes and programmes with selected credit transfer options, upon meeting the entry requirement eligibility. ** (Please refer to IMU Foundation in Science brochure for more details)

FOR ADMISSIONS INTO THE IMU FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE PROGRAMME, STUDENTS WILL NEED TO HAVE:

• Pass SPM / O-Levels with minimum 5 credits in Mathematics, 2 Science subjects and 2 other subjects.
  Note: Specific SPM / O-Levels requirements may be needed for admissions into IMU programmes.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

* ONLY applicable for those who are completing the entire degree at IMU, Malaysia.

FAQ of Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chiropractic in International Medical University Malaysia

WHY STUDY CHIROPRACTIC AT IMU

An Established Private Healthcare University

IMU is Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and healthcare university with over 26 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education. IMU achieved the SETARA-2017 Tier 6 status (Outstanding) under the Mature University category.

Build Your Future Healthcare Professional Network

As IMU offers the widest range of healthcare programmes, our students are fully immersed in a vibrant community of students and practitioners from a variety of healthcare fields. This allows for the development of strong friendship amongst peers that will be the foundation of an extensive healthcare professional network upon graduation.

Curriculum Benchmarked to International Standards

IMU’s Chiropractic curriculum has been developed to meet high international standards and is accepted by renowned international universities in Australia and the United Kingdom for credit transfer into their chiropractic programmes. It is the first and only complete Chiropractic degree in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The IMU Chiropractic programme has been accredited by the prestigious Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia.

Better Exposure to Hands-On Practical Sessions

From Semester 1 onwards, students have the opportunity to experience many hours of hands-on practical sessions at the fully equipped Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre and Clinic, which helps to hone their skills and prepare them to be competent chiropractors.

Excellent Career Prospects

As the demand for chiropractic services rapidly increases in Malaysia, there is a need to increase the number of qualified chiropractors. Currently in Malaysia, the ratio of chiropractor to population is 1: 450,000 as compared to 1: 4,500 in the US. Competent graduates will therefore be able to establish themselves in a rapidly growing field of healthcare.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why choose the IMU Chiropractic Programme?

The IMU Chiropractic Programme is designed to prepare the student for success as a chiropractic physician at an international level, in accord with the Councils on Chiropractic Education International. Graduates of the programme will become well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of human conditions, with special emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine. Chiropractic is a well-established health-care profession which is licensed in over 30 countries worldwide and represented by more than 30 chiropractic schools. Chiropractors have many career options and may choose to practice in a private or group setting or seek employment in a variety of private, educational, and (in some countries) governmental roles. Many chiropractors pursue specialties within the profession, such as orthopedics, neurology, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, and sports chiropractic.

What is the structure of the programme?

The programme consists of four-years of academic and clinical training, followed by a one-year housemanship. Chiropractic students study many of the same foundational courses as other members of the health care team (e.g., medical doctors and dentists). Much of the material is presented in simulated clinical settings in order to provide real-life experience; this begins very early in the course of instruction.

What are the key features of the programme?

• The first chiropractic programme in Malaysia and Southeast Asia

• An evidence-based curriculum, meaning the material that is taught is derived from research findings as much as possible

• Hands-on learning is integrated early in the curriculum

• Emphasis on preparing chiropractors to be part of the health care team

• Curriculum designed to meet international guidelines

• Opportunities for developing chiropractic practices in the region are vast

• The IMU Chiropractic Programme plans to offer a postgraduate master’s degree

What are the teaching-learning approaches used?

Chiropractic students are guided through the curriculum via a combination of lecture, discussion, laboratory, self-directed, and simulated clinical settings. Chiropractic is very much a hands-on profession. Thus, students are taught during every term to “perceive” the structures of the human body by touch, especially the spine (including the neck, middle and lower back, and the pelvis). As the student progresses through the curriculum, the hands-on activities increasingly involve actual analysis and treatment procedures that are encountered in chiropractic clinical practice. In the final stages of training, students manage real patients throughout their course of care in a supervised chiropractic clinic. This includes the formulation of a diagnosis and treatment plan; ordering and interpreting radiology, electrodiagnostic, and laboratory tests when necessary; referral to other members of the health care team when appropriate; and all phases of spinal adjustment and adjunctive treatment.

Who are the teaching staff?

IMU has assembled a group esteemed and clinically experienced chiropractors from around the world to provide one of the best educational experiences possible in chiropractic. In addition to years of clinical practice, these chiropractors have been responsible for conducting research, writing papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at multidisciplinary conferences, and writing textbooks. Members of IMU’s basic science faculty have been educating medical physicians, dentists and pharmacists for more than 15 years and have always maintained a high standard for quality.

What are the semester contents?

Semester contents are available in the programme brochure [Download Brochure]

What sort of jobs/careers can be undertaken with this degree?

The majority of chiropractors are in private practice where they control all aspects of patient care and practice management. According to a recent article in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics*, the average chiropractor in the study managed about 101 patient visits during 30 patient contact hours in a typical workweek. The most common reason these patients sought chiropractic care was for the treatment of lower back pain (more than 40%), followed by neck pain, headaches, and wellness care.

A growing number of chiropractors work in a multidisciplinary group setting with other types of health care providers, such as family medicine specialists and orthopedic surgeons. Chiropractors have also procured positions in military clinics and hospitals, as well as in education and research.

Because chiropractic care has been shown to enhance the recovery of athletic injuries and to enhance athletic performance, many professional, collegiate, and amateur athletic teams utilize chiropractic services. Some teams employ chiropractors directly, while others refer their injured athletes to private sports chiropractic specialists.

• Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2005;28(9):645-65

Who will award the degree?

The Bachelor of Science (Hons) Chiropractic degree is awarded by IMU. The partner university will award the respective degree to students who transfer to the school.