Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy

On successful completion of the Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy, graduates should be able to:

• LO1 - Acquire advanced theoretical, scientific and clinical principles of normal and pathological human movement as it relates to sports, exercise, performance and complex sports injuries or conditions;
• LO2 - Explain the relationship between wellbeing and performance for athletes and people of all ages and abilities, cultural context and Indigenous peoples;
• LO3 - Critically analyse and synthesise advanced knowledge, using an evidence-informed approach, for the prevention and physiotherapy management of sports injuries in different sports and health contexts and to optimise health, fitness outcomes or sports performance in athletes of all ages, abilities, cultural contexts and in Indigenous peoples;
• LO4 - Critically analyse and synthesise knowledge, using an evidence-informed approach, for the prevention and physiotherapy management of chronic disease and to facilitate an active healthy lifestyle in people of all ages, abilities, cultural contexts and in Indigenous peoples;
• LO5 - Apply advanced knowledge and skills in the design, implementation and evaluation of physiotherapy management of complex sports and exercise related injuries and conditions and optimise sports or exercise performance and wellbeing in athletes and people of diverse populations, within cultural, ethical and legal frameworks
• LO6 - Apply person-centred, culturally responsive and professional physiotherapy management when working in sport and exercise with an individual, group or with a team, effectively and efficiently managing ethical issues and competing professional demands;
• LO7 - Apply principles of leadership, management, advocacy and reflection integral to effective professional interaction to meet the diverse needs of individuals, the multidisciplinary team or the community and for athletes and people of all ages and abilities, cultural context and Indigenous peoples.

The Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will provide you, as a physiotherapist, with the opportunity to acquire advanced theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge of normal and pathological human movement as it relates to sports, exercise, performance, injuries, pathology and disease.

Using an evidence-informed person-centred approach, you will develop an understanding of how wellbeing relates to performance and be able to critically analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge for the physiotherapy management of sports injuries or other health conditions and to enhance sports or exercise performance and wellbeing in athletes and people of all ages, abilities and cultural contexts within the relevant ethical and legal frameworks.

The course will be delivered online with short, intensive face-to-face blocks, over 1.5 years full-time equivalent. The course is suitable for graduate physiotherapists eligible for registration in their own country, with a minimum two years’ experience post-graduation.

The majority of the units will be delivered in online mode with some units delivered in multi-mode incorporating online, intensive residential workshops, practicums and a research project. All residential workshops and assessments will be scheduled for 1-2 weeks in the same ACU Online Term.

Recommended study pattern

Specified Units

• PHTY614 Advanced Principles of Human Movement for Exercise and Sports Performance (10cp)
• PHTY615 Clinical Exercise for Health and PErformance Across the Lifespan (10cp)
• EXSC510 Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation (10cp)
• PHTY616 Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice for Physiotherapists (10cp)*
• PHTY617 Physiotherapists Working in Sport (10cp)*
• EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention (10cp)
• PHTY618 :eadership Management and Advocacy for Sports and Exercise Physiotherapists (10cp)
• EXSC669 Exercise Rehabilitation for Return to Sports Performance (10cp)

* Requires Compulsory, `1 week on-campus component, delivered at ACU's Brisbane campus

Research Units

• HLSC640 Interpreting Health Research (10cp)

OR

• HLSC641 Introduction to Health Sciences Research (10cp)
• HLSC642 Biostatistics for Health Research (10cp)

OR

• HLSC646 Qualitative Research Methods (10cp)
• PHTY606 Physiotherapy Research Project A (10cp)
• PHTY607 Physiotherapy Research Project B (10cp)

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy, a student must complete 120 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings

Exit points

Students may exit with either of the following relevant awards provided they have completed the required units specified within the degree:

• Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy 80 cp
• Graduate Certificate in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy 40 cp

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $35,838

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about ACU.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

a. Bachelor degree or higher in Physiotherapy and:

• hold current registration with the required Authority in Australia, or Registration Authority in country of current practice; and
• have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience as a physiotherapist post-graduation (including minimum 1 year in musculoskeletal or sports areas).

OR

b. ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:English Proficiency Entry Requirements. Students must meet English Language requirements as follows:

• IELTS: Overall score 7.0, Individual score of 6.5 in all test
• PTE: 65 with a minimum of 58 in all four communicative skills
• TOEFL: Internet based total of 94: minimum 24 in writing, 20 in speaking, 10 in listening and 19 in reading and 12 in listening
• ACU English Language Test: A (75-100%)
• OTHER: Demonstrated current registration with an accredited body that has an English language requirement equivalent to, or higher than, the standards required by the University. Recognised registrations include:
  • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration other than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Health Practice registration;
  • Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Teacher registration;
  • Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Teacher registration; and
  • NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Teacher registration.

OR

• At least one full-time year of study of an Australian secondary or tertiary qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher, and completed no earlier than five years prior to the commencement of the course of study to which the student seeks admission;

OR

• Demonstrated successful completion of at least one full-time year of study of an overseas qualification equivalent to an Australian secondary or tertiary qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher, where the medium of study was English, and completed no earlier than five years prior to the commencement of the course of study to which the student seeks admission.

Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 80 credit points.

Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of 40 credit points.

If you have already studied at university level, you can apply for credit towards your ACU course. Credited units replace units you would otherwise study, so you can finish your course earlier.

Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy students are required to be working or be in a volunteer position in the sports environment for a minimum of 80 hours as part of a Semester 2 unit.

Additionally, students are required to be working in the sports or exercise environment for a minimum of one day per week as a requirement of specific units.

Students participating in practicums will require:

• Police Checks
• Immunisation records
• Health checks
• First Aid certificate
• CPR Certificate

Or international equivalent

Units will be delivered in online unscheduled mode and online scheduled mode, incorporating online, intensive residential workshops, practicums and a research project. All residential workshops and assessments will be scheduled for 1-2 weeks in ACU Term 3.