PROGRAM

Overview
Pre-Requisites
Pre-Admissions
o Home Study
o Evaluation

Following the completion of the five academic years, the students begin their research. This year of research is the foundation upon which students are able to integrate the material they have studied in the previous four years and to consolidate their knowledge through practical application. Moreover this period is an opportunity for students to help advance the field of Osteopathy through their research.

Since there are no classroom hours during this year of independent study, there are no tuition fees. The thesis is an independent study of the student's choice and may take the form of qualitative or quantitative research. It may be conducted in the fields of osteopathic philosophy, experimental research, or the clinical application of osteopathic theory and techniques.

Prior to embarking upon this research the student submits a plan for the proposed research—a protocol. A small panel of jurors reviews the protocol and provides helpful suggestions. The student is guided throughout their research by a faculty member, former graduate, an approved Osteopath from another institution, and/or researcher approved by the college, who holds a PhD in a related field. The College's philosophy embraces the ideal that it is through this one-to-one relationship that the student and the instructor both profit personally and academically.

The student's research does not go unnoticed. Either a world-renowned Osteopath or osteopathic researcher chairs the International Jury, before whom the research is presented. Copies of the research theses are housed in libraries of the German, Montreal and Toronto branches of the Association of Traditional Osteopathic Colleges of Canada.

In addition, some CCO research is housed in the libraries of the Still National Osteopathic Museum in Kirksville, Missouri, the American Osteopathic Association and the British School of Osteopathy. Other research has been published in overseas journals and is also under consideration for publication in major peer reviewed journals.

As a result of the osteopathic research of Pierre Bachand, DC, DO, of Nova Scotia in 1997, Osteopaths are now exempt from charging GST on their services.

Prizes for excellence in research are also awarded annually. Selected winners of these prizes are invited to present their research at one of the annual international symposiums offered by the ATOCC member colleges.