The IAO® was founded in 1987 by Michel Janssens († 1995), Grégoire Lason and Luc Peeters. In the same year, the first training courses were started in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Over the years, the IAO® has grown into the largest academy of osteopathy in Europe. The IAO® has a rich history:
2021
On January 4, the IAO opens its brand new campus "Portalis" at Bollebergen 2B, 9052 Ghent.
2020
Luc Peeters will leave the IAO® on 8 February, completely unexpectedly and without giving a reason. Only Grégoire Lason remains of the founders. Together with his administrative and academic team, he remains highly motivated and starts building IAO 2.0.
2019
On Wednesday March 13, 2019, the Danish government presented the very first official recognitions to osteopaths. That all 9 osteopaths who were the first to receive this Danish recognition are IAO Alumni makes us very proud.
2019
A Post Academic Module (PAM) "Sports Osteopathy" is started in Ghent and in Copenhagen. This allows DOs to obtain both the Post Graduate Certificate (PGC) in Sports Osteopathy and the Master of Science in Osteopathy awarded by Buckinghamshire New University "BUCKS".
2018
From now on, we also work with BUCKS for our modular training (in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland) and our PAMs (in Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland). This means that students who successfully complete the modular course now also obtain the Master of Science in Osteopathy in addition to the DO diploma.
2018
On May 15, 2018, a legal framework was established in Denmark for the profession of osteopath and osteopathy.
2017
The mark of 2,600 students has been exceeded.
2017
The full-time Master of Science is accredited by Buckinghamshire New University.
2016
The renewed curriculum of the full-time Bachelor of Science is accredited by Buckinghamshire New University (BUCKS). 2016
The IAO® publishes several articles in peer review journals.
2016
The IAO® organizes congress ICROM 2 in Munich.
2015
The IAO® organizes congress ICROM 1 in Ghent.
2015
Historical victory in Switzerland: the IAO® has enforced recognition of part-time modular training at the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in order to equate this part-time modular training with full-time training. At the same time, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court also recognizes the IAO® bachelor's degree as equivalent to a Swiss bachelor's degree. In Switzerland, the name osteopath (Osteopath) is protected by the government. Only therapists who have taken the inter-cantonal exam for the Swiss conference, composed of the directors and directors of the cantonal health administration, may call themselves osteopaths. In order to work independently, osteopaths must successfully complete a full-time course of 5 years and, moreover, have worked for 2 years as an assistant to a Swiss osteopath with a GDK diploma. This period should be concluded with a positive evaluation. The IAO® has now succeeded in obtaining recognition for its part-time modular training as equivalent to a full-time training following the Swiss example.
2015
Accreditation of the Master program in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences - Tirol by the German accreditation organization AHPGS. This makes the 120-credit full-master fully compliant with the Bologna Process. Unique in Europe!
2014
The IAO® enters into a partnership with Buckinghamshire New University (London). This university accredits the first three Bachelor years of the full-time program and awards the Bachelor of Science with Honors in Osteopathic Studies. The subsequent 2-year accredited Master degree program is organized in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences which has the degree of MSc.Ost. hands out.
2014
On 7 October 2014, the Review Committee of the Center for Post-Initial Education in the Netherlands (CPION) issued a positive advice on the curriculum of The International Academy of Osteopathy® in the context of the PLATO learning outcomes. For the IAO® graduates of the full-time program, this means that in addition to their academic degree, they now also obtain the important certificate “Medical Basic Knowledge”. For the IAO®, this means that the school is registered with the Dutch Higher Education Foundation. This is unique in the Netherlands for an osteopathy school.
2014
The IAO® changes the full-time course from a 4-year course (BSc. (Hons) Ost. to a 5-year course completely in accordance with the Bologna process.
2013
The IAO® starts a modular course for osteopathy in Cairo, Egypt. The first cohort of students consists of more than 40 participants.
2013
The IAO® establishes its 16th training place in Germany. Osteopathy courses are now provided in 16 German cities, two Austrian cities, courses in Denmark and Switzerland. 2500 students follow their training and education at the IAO® and the IAO® now has a teaching team of 150 teachers and assistants.
2011
In collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences, the IAO® organizes the Master course in Innsbruck, Berlin and Ghent.
2011
25 students (mainly IAO® teachers) graduate as Master of Science in Osteopathy MSc.Ost.
2009
The IAO® enters into a partnership with the University of Applied Science - Tirol (fhg). In collaboration with this university, the IAO organizes a Master of Science course in Osteopathy (120 credits). The first cohort of students will start in October 2009.
2008
The IAO® is recognized by NUFFIC, which means that Dutch students receive subsidies and student grants from the Dutch state.
2008
The IAO® is recognized by the Flemish Government as a training provider in the context of the KMO portfolio.
2004
The full-time degree at IAO® is accredited by the University of Wales. This accreditation becomes a reality through external audits and supervision of “external examiners”. The students obtain the BSc. (Hons) Ost. after a 4-year course.
2003
Start of an academic partnership with the University of Wales.
2003
The IAO® achieves the quality standard ISO-9001 in “Osteopathic Training and Education”. This was unique for a school in Europe.
2001
The political situation in Belgium prevents the interpretation of the Colla Act. The law is not further elaborated as described. 1999
The Belgian Federal Parliament votes on the "Non-conventional medicine law / Colla law". This is a framework law to regulate osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy and chiropractic. The IAO® plays an active role in this process.
1999
All IAO® osteopath teachers obtain the BSc. (Hons) Ost. at the University of Westminster.
1997
The IAO® achieves the quality standard ISO-9008 in “Osteopathic Training and Education”. This is unique for a school in Europe.
1997
14 teachers of the IAO® receive the academic degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honors) in Osteopathic Medicine (BSc. (Hons) Ost.Med. At the University of Westminster.
1996
Intense contact with BCOM (British College of Osteopathic Medicine) with the aim of accelerating the academic development of the program.
14.03.1995
Michel Janssens, one of the three founders, dies in Brussels. A big loss!
1994
Start of the full-time course in Ghent. The program is full-time and lasts 5 years.
1991
The number of contact hours (900 hours at the start) was increased to 1250 contact hours.
1987
Establishment of the IAO® as a postgraduate training institute for physiotherapists and physicians wishing to study osteopathy. Founders: Michel Janssens (†) Grégoire Lason Luc Peeters. The school grew and became the largest osteopathic institute in Europe.
IAO® issued the DO diploma (DO) from the start.
A rich history!