intensive courses

The SMA believes that a hands-on skill like ours is best taught over a long period of time, with regular attendance of practical classes in person and where at least 50% of the contact time with a tutor is face-to-face, in order to give your skills the chance to develop slowly and with plenty of feedback. 

We define an intensive course at Level 3 as follows:

  • where the majority of teaching takes place as online modules for the student to work through at their own pace;
  • where the practical, hands-on teaching takes place over less than 8 weeks 
  • where there is less than 48 hours contact time with a tutor
  • where there is a long gap between in-person attendance and sitting the final exam, in order to make it appear as if the course itself lasts 8 weeks

We define an intensive course at Level 4 as follows:

  • where the majority of teaching takes place as online modules for the student to work through at their own pace;
  • where the practical, hands-on teaching takes place over less than 6 weeks 
  • where there is less than 48 hours contact time with a tutor
  • where there is a long gap between in-person attendance and sitting the final exam, in order to make it appear as if the course itself lasts 6 weeks

If the course you attended meets any one of the criteria above then we will ask you to complete a 50-hour treatment logbook in advance of applying (or being approved) for SMA membership.  If the aggregate teaching period for Levels 3 and 4 (covering in-person attendance ONLY) totals less than 14 weeks then we will ask you to submit 100 logged treatment hours, 50 demonstrating Level 3 techniques and 50 hours demonstrating Level 4 techniques.

We ask that you use THIS TEMPLATE to create your logbook. It should be be submitted at the point of application and demonstrate use of all techniques appropriate to your level of qualification.  You can gain a sense of how best to complete the logbook, and develop best practice, by looking over our Example Treatment Notes.

The only circumstance under which we will waive the requirement for a logbook is if you are also registered on a physiotherapy or osteopathy degree (or hold this qualification already).  Please supply evidence of this at the point of application.

**Please note that we do not accept under any circumstances courses that are online-only, where practical training takes place over five days or fewer, or that are not externally assessed by an awarding organisation recognised by  the RQF/QCF or BTEC.  If you are in any doubt then please e-mail membership@thesma.org with a copy of your qualification certificate and/or details of the course.

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