Module booklet
The topic of each module is printed as a booklet and given to every student at the start of the module.
The teaching process
How do we teach at the Academy?
Osteopathy is not a set of techniques that can be learnt from a book or a video. It is a profession that combines knowledge of anatomy, clinical reasoning and sensitivity of the hands. Our teaching system is built on the step-by-step development of these three components.
Module system
Once a month, at the weekend
- 10modules in each academic year
- 2–3 daysof theoretical and practical lessons every month
- 2 daysfor lessons by teachers from Türkiye, usually Saturday–Sunday
- 3 daysfor lessons by teachers from other countries, Friday–Saturday–Sunday
- Weekendsstudents can study without interrupting their work
Every month, a teacher invited from abroad comes to Baku and gives 2 or 3 days of theoretical and practical lessons.
Lesson day
What does a lesson day look like?
- Registration: signing the attendance sheet, handing out the module booklet
- Lesson
- Lunch break
- Lesson
Short breaks during the day are arranged to suit the teacher's working rhythm.
Lesson format
Explanation → demonstration → practice
Each topic is learnt in three stages.
Theoretical explanation
Anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and the clinical relevance of the topic.
Practical demonstration
The teacher demonstrates the technique on a participant.
Practical work
Students practise in pairs, on each other, under the teacher's supervision. The teacher individually corrects hand position, pressure and direction.
Teaching materials
Booklet, video archive and copyright
Video archive
The topics covered in class are video-recorded by the Academy and posted in a closed Telegram group created solely for the students of that group. Each module (month) has its own separate Telegram group.
Copyright
The booklets and video recordings are protected by copyright.
Between modules
Practice
After each module and until the next one, students consolidate what they have learnt in practice. During this period, practical sessions are held under the supervision of the Academy's assistant teachers in Azerbaijan.
Zoom
Online lessons
In addition to the in-person modules, the Academy also holds online lessons via Zoom:
- preparatory lessons before new topics;
- online lectures on specific topics for students;
- free introductory webinars for anyone interested (see: Events).
Assessment
Assessment and examinations
- An examination is held at the end of each academic year. The last, 10th module of each year is the integration and examination module.
- A student who passes the examination progresses to the next year.
- Annual examinations are held at the end of years 1, 2 and 3. The final examination is taken at the end of year 4.
The OSD's sample final examination certificate lists the three components of the final examination:
- written examination;
- practical/oral examination;
- differential diagnosis examination.
Preparing for lessons
What to wear, what to bring?
So that the practical sessions run effectively and safely:
- come to lessons in comfortable, tracksuit-style clothing;
- bring shorts for the lumbar and lower-limb topics;
- those with long hair should bring a hair tie;
- take an active part in all practical sessions — the lessons are for practising, not just for observing.
Safety and professional ethics
- Students are responsible for carrying out the tasks correctly during practical sessions.
- Techniques are practised only within the framework of the programme and in accordance with the teacher's instructions. Applications outside the programme are not permitted. Responsibility for any problems arising from applications outside the programme rests with the student.
- A student taking part in the course is deemed to have accepted these rules.
- Osteopathic techniques should be applied only by appropriately trained specialists, taking into account a physician's diagnosis and safety criteria.