Master Manual Therapy

Do you want to specialize as a clinical specialist in manual therapy? Then follow the Master of Manual Therapy program. In this program, you will be taught by a unique team of teachers, consisting of various experts with extensive experience in the field. At least 50% of the training time is reserved for practical skills. The many hours of practice time and rapid, targeted feedback on your own actions ensure that you learn incredibly quickly. Because you can work with cases from your own practice and because you can immediately apply all you have learned, you will experience immediate benefits from this master’s program.

You will take the Master’s program in Manual Therapy at our campus in Amersfoort or at our location at Zuyd Hogeschool in Heerlen. You can start this course in January and in September.

Training in Brief

Name: Professional Master Manual Therapy
Target audience: physical therapists
Duration: 2 years, 2.5 years* or 3 years
Variant: Part-time
Degree: master of science (MSc)
Location: Amersfoort or Heerlen

* 2.5 years start in January.

Field of work of a manual therapist

The manual therapist graduated from SOMT University of Physiotherapy works in the musculoskeletal field and is distinguished by the fact that he/she:

Possesses an advanced level of clinical reasoning for analyzing complex health problems.
Argues from a bio-psychosocial perspective based on the best available scientific evidence.
Can apply complex manual skills including joint mobilizations and manipulations to joints of the spine and extremities.
Has extensive and specialized knowledge of the disorders and pathologies of the spine and extremities.
Identifies and analyzes clinical and scientific issues using the principles of Evidence Based Practice (EBP).
Makes decisions based on individual patient characteristics beyond guidelines and research.
Can reliably collect data for the purpose of scientific research.
Can identify gaps in external evidence and translate them into answerable research questions.
Acts innovatively and can take a leading role in (multidisciplinary) projects within and outside of own practice.

Characteristic are the comprehensive diagnosis and application of specific manual therapy mobilizing and manipulating techniques (including high velocity thrust techniques) to joints of the spine and extremities. The rationale for therapeutic action is distinguished into a biomechanical rationale and a neurophysiological rationale.

The master level is characterized by the ability to diagnose and treat patients with complex spine-related health problems or orthopedic NMS problems in the extremities. Complexity here usually refers to problems and/or contexts in which existing knowledge and experience cannot be relied upon and unpredictable situations in which responsible strategic choices must be made independently. Examples of complicating factors are the presence of psychosocial factors, aberrant biological factors (‘SCRAP’), multimorbidity or multisite pathology.

Broad view of client functioning

The manual therapist has a broad view of client functioning. In addition to anatomical features and functions, he/she considers other factors that limit clients’ activities and participation. The manual therapist uses the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization. This model describes clients’ functioning and influencing factors. The manual therapist translates the client’s request for help into ICF terminology.

Training content

The domain-specific learning outcomes are aimed at delivering manual therapists who are particularly distinguished by specialist knowledge, an automated level of manual skills and expertise of neuromuscular disorders including the high cervical spine. Designing appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on individual patient characteristics is central (advanced clinical reasoning). The manual therapist analyzes and interprets his/her findings in conjunction with personal and external factors.

Teachers

The quality of teachers is a determining factor for the level of education. SOMT University of Physiotherapy therefore invests in highly qualified supervision. Skills teachers provide skills education and are selected for their exceptional skill level. Each skills instructor is a Master of Manual Therapy and has solid clinical experience.

Tutors provide the more theory-driven teaching and have at least a university degree. They also work in practice. The link to daily practice is a common thread in the curriculum, therefore the practical experience of the tutors offers significant added value.

Teaching Method

The foundation of competent behavior of the manual therapist at the master’s level is formed by specialized knowledge and understanding of functional anatomy, pathology, clinical biomechanics and mechanisms of action of manual therapy.

In addition to specialized knowledge, specialized skills are characteristic of the master’s level. At SOMT University of Physiotherapy, there is an emphasis on developing and training both clinical and academic skills.

During skills instruction, practice is based on recognizable case histories and led by experienced instructors. The many hours of practice time and quick, focused feedback on one’s own actions provide a great learning curve. Outside of teaching contact time, the skills learned are further trained in practice groups.

With respect to scientific skills, students are taught to participate in the design and execution of a scientific research project and are required to articulate and critically discuss their results and conclusions in writing in an academic manner.

Clinical practice

In teaching, casuistry is guiding, meaning that each assignment starts from a recognizable case from everyday practice. The subject matter is thus immediately linked to the practice of the individual student. Relevant casuistry can be brought in by the lecturers, but often the student himself will bring a case from his own practice.

Review

The testing program is based on the construction and coherence of the curriculum and guarantees that all learning outcomes have been tested by the end of the manual therapy program. The level at which the tests are constructed is related to the (cognitive and psychomotor) complexity of the material and the degree of independence the student must demonstrate. As the curriculum progresses, the complexity and independence required increases.

The competencies students develop during the program are focused on professional practice. Testing is therefore primarily practice-related. Knowledge and skills and the competencies to integrate them into practice are tested. In addition, the student must be able to explain and justify actions.

Internship

An important part of the Master of Manual Therapy is the various internships. Various types of internships are completed in the program: clinic internships, mini-clinics in groups, individual internships and assistantships.

Pathways

Back-to-back master's program in 3 years

As a general physical therapist with a bachelor’s degree, you will take a regular three-year master’s program at SOMT University of Physiotherapy. The three-year program always starts in September.

Regular master's program in 2.5 years

Can you handle a higher course load? Then you can also complete the full Master of Manual Therapy in 2.5 years. The total study load and quality is equal to that of the three-year program. Through efficient, hybrid teaching with a lot of personal guidance, we have developed an ambitious but studyable program for you.

Both September and January you can start the 2.5-year program. Once you have started the program you will make an appointment with the head of training to discuss your ambitious learning path.

Details

Study load: 13-16 hours per week for a three-year program
Credits: 90 ECTS
Level: EKK 7
Accreditation: NVAO
KRF NL registration: yes
Language: Dutch *
Start of study: September and January*

Starts September 2024 | 2-year course (Wednesday), location Amersfoort

Registration closed

Starts September 2024 | 3-year program, location Amersfoort & Heerlen

Registration closed

Starts January 2025 (academic year 2024-2025) | 2.5-year program (Wednesday), location Amersfoort

Registration open

* = 2.5 years start in January.
** = English-language scientific literature

Accelerated master's degree in 2 years

More information to follow.

Study days and study load

The regular master’s program comprises a total of 90 credits (EC). For the 3-year program, the study load is 13 to 16 hours per week, excluding internship. The contact days of the three-year program are on Fridays and Saturdays from 09.00 to 17.00 in Amersfoort. At the Heerlen location the contact days are on Fridays.

Contact days of the 2.5-year program are on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Amersfoort.

Admission

Admission to the Master of Manual Therapy program is possible with a Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy recognized by the Dutch government or a degree in Medicine recognized by the Dutch government, with BIG registration.

It is desirable to be employed in practice, as the case histories used in the teaching sessions have a continuous interaction with professional practice.

Studying with the DUO Lifelong Learning Credit

Do you want to study with us and are you younger than 56? If you are not entitled (anymore) to regular study financing, you can sometimes still borrow money to pay tuition or fees.

With the DUOL lifetime learning credit, everyone can continue to develop.

The amount of lifelong learning credit depends on the amount of tuition or fees. For more information and applications, go to duo.nl/ levenlanglerenkrediet.

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