Undergraduate Courses
BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCES IN CHIROPRACTIC (B9C01Q)
Programme Duration
- Full-time: Minimum 4 years and Maximum 6 years
- NQF Level 8, 480 Credits
Students start with a four-year degree. After the successful completion of the Professional Master’s degree, you will be entitled to register with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Purpose
The purpose of this curriculum is to give the student a thorough understanding and working knowledge of the structure and function of the human being in both health and disease and the fluctuations that lie between these poles.
Chiropractic programme aims to develop the emerging Chiropractor in light of the following:
• Primary contact practitioners.
• Specialist assessors of neuromusculoskeletal system.
• Specialists in the field of spinal and extremity manipulation.
• Wellness and holistic practitioners trained in the prevention of disease.
Outcomes
On completion of this programme, the student will be able to:
ELO 1 Apply the relevant procedures and technologies in order to clinically assess, diagnose, treat and manage (including appropriate referral) of the patient in terms of normal and abnormal findings.
ELO 2 Apply the principles, proven techniques and specialized skills required for the promotion of musculoskeletal health and the prevention and rehabilitation of problems of the musculoskeletal system.
ELO 3 Demonstrate the application of pertinent knowledge of the biopsychosocial, biological, pharmacological and basic sciences in terms of chiropractic and community health.
ELO 4 Demonstrate appropriate communication skills for personal and professional development within a chiropractic context and apply the principles of medical ethics within a multi-cultural and international context.
ELO 5 Acquire knowledge of the entrepreneurial sciences and professional practices relevant to chiropractic.
ELO 6 Evaluate and interrogate multiple sources of literature as critical users and developers of research in the Chiropractic field, continue with lifelong learning and become a reflective practitioner.
Rules of Access and Admission Requirements
The admission requirements stated below are the minimum requirements to be considered for selection. Even if all minimum requirements are met, due to selection being based on academic excellence and limited number of places available in the program, acceptance into the program is not assured.
The admission requirements for the BHS Chiropractic programme are listed below:
A Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption, or an equivalent qualification at an equivalent standard as determined by a Status Committee, with the following:
Two of the following modules:
1. Mathematics with at least a Higher Grade D or Standard Grade C symbol.
2. Physical Science with at least Higher Grade D or Standard Grade C symbol, Biology with at least Higher Grade D or Standard Grade C symbol.
A National Senior Certificate (NSC) – APS Score with minimum requirements as shown below: (Exclude Life Orientation when calculating APS)
Minimum APS: 28
- Language of teaching and Learning (English): 5
- Mathematics: 4
- Mathematical Literacy: Not accepted
- Physical Sciences: 4
- Life Sciences: 4
Selection Criteria
The Department of Chiropractic of the University of Johannesburg accepts a limited number of students per academic year in line with the enrolment target of the University and is based on available facilities in the Chiropractic Department. For these reasons, and the high academic demand of the course it is necessary to apply an academic selection process.
Selection is based on the following and specifically in this order:
- Academic results
- Applicants with Physical Sciences or Life Sciences will be considered, based on academic merit.
- Letters of recommendation/observation from at least 2 practising doctors of Chiropractic
- Completion of an online questionnaire
- A personal interview, if points 3 and 4 are successfully completed
Pass Requirements
1. Students are promoted:
a. To full second-year status if they have passed all the first-year modules.
b. To full third-year status if they have passed all the second-year modules.
c. To full fourth-year status if they have passed all third-year modules.
2. The pass mark for all clinical/practical modules is 60% from the third year of study.
3. In order to gain readmission to the programme, first year students must pass a minimum of 60% of the first year modules.
4. Students may enrol for a module in the following year, provided that:
a. They have passed the prerequisite module.
b. They have passed both the theory and practical final summative assessments in a module comprising a theory and a practical component.
5. Students retain credit for all modules passed.
6. Students must pass all components of the module(s) to obtain credit for the module(s).
7. Students may not register for module combinations that lead to timetable clashes.
8. 100% attendance of and participation in the practical and/or clinical components are compulsory. If students fail to comply with this requirement, they may fail the module and be required to repeat the full module.
9. If students fail any third or fourth year module(s), they must repeat all the practical/clinical modules of the respective year. The practical and theoretical components are assessed in an integrated manner and students will therefore be required to repeat and pass the module(s) in entirety, as indicated in the relevant learning guide. If students fail to comply with this requirement, they may not be promoted to the following year of study.
10. Students will be required to complete a stipulated clinical component (in line with any relevant Professional Board requirements) prior to conferment of degree.
Student Registration with the Professional Council
Students must register with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa at the beginning of each year of registration, at which time a fee is payable. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure they are registered from the second year of study.
During the fourth year of study, students must successfully complete a First Aid course for which the Department will make provision. An additional levy will be charged. Students will subsequently be personally responsible for maintaining the validity of this course.
Curriculum
All modules are Continuous Evaluation modules.