International Diploma

The Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® is awarded to participants who have qualified in accordance with the criteria approved by The McKenzie Institute International Board of Trustees and is designed to assess competencies in relation to the Diploma Curriculum.

Programme Outcomes

  • Provide you with the highest level of competence in the theory and practice of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy of musculoskeletal disorders;
  • Develop your skills in accessing, understanding and evaluating research relevant to Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy;
  • Enable you to promote critical analysis and clinical reasoning skills;
  • Enable you to identify conditions that are suitable/unsuitable for mechanical therapy;
  • Further develop your interpersonal and communication skills; and,
  • Enhance your understanding of your professional responsibilities, including legal, ethical and cultural issues.

Attainment of the Diploma MDT will place you amongst the very best musculoskeletal clinicians worldwide.

Programme Overview

To gain acceptance into the Programme, you must first complete the Institute’s Education Programme, including a pass in the McKenzie Institute International MDT Credentialling Examination.  Applicants must also be engaged in active clinical practice, hold registration in their respective country of residence, and be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

The Diploma MDT Curriculum consists of two Components: Theoretical and Clinical.

The Theoretical Component comprises a Distance Learning module presented by The McKenzie Institute International. The module is 10 weeks duration and involves approximately 20 hours per week of self-directed learning. You will need to pass assessments in order to achieve success in this Component.

The Clinical Component consists of a minimum of 360 hours of clinical practice based on a variety of musculoskeletal disorders, and emphasising the importance of “the evidence” of the patient. You will be supervised by a qualified McKenzie clinician, known as a Clinical Educator (and appointed by The McKenzie Institute International), who will determine your proficiency over a series of formal and continuous assessments.

Currently the Clinical Component of the Diploma Programme is offered in the USA, Scotland, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Benelux, Finland and Germany.

Programme Duration

Theoretical Component: 10 weeks
Clinical Component: 360 Hours

Note: Both components of the Diploma MDT Programme must be completed within three years of commencement of the Theoretical Component.

Programme Eligibility

Physiotherapists, chiropractors and physicians can currently be accommodated on the MDT Diploma programme.  Those from other professions should enquire to diploma@mckenzieinstitute.org in regards to eligibility, prior to completing their application.

Programme Details

Applications close: 19 October each year
Course Commences: February each year
Maximum class size: 25 participants

Fully completed applications will be processed strictly in the order they are received.

Further information is available in the brochures attached below, or from here 

Enquiries regarding the Diploma MDT programme should be sent via email