Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy

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

1. 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;
2. Explain the relationship between wellbeing and performance for athletes and people of all ages and abilities, cultural context and Indigenous peoples;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. 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
6. 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;
7. 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.

Graduates of the Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be able to apply theory and practice learned in a range of health provider settings including but not limited to:

• professional and semi-professional sporting organisations
• community sport settings
• national and state institutes of sport
• academies of sport
• Emergency Departments in hospitals
• government and non-government funded sporting programs (e.g. University, School or post-School sporting clubs)
• Government prevention and management of chronic disease through exercise programs
• international high performance sport organisations
• sport, health and disease-based research

Examples of potential employment roles include:

• Sports and exercise physiotherapist for a club, a team or a sports event at National or International levels for visiting or host nation programs
  • E.g. Australian Olympic Team, Olympic and Commonwealth Games, Australian University Games
• Sports medicine manager for a team, an event
• Venue medical manager for major Games
• High performance manager
• Government advisor on exercise for health

Professional recognition

Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Graduates who are Australian registered physiotherapists and members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association are eligible to apply for Australian Physiotherapy Association Titled membership in the relevant stream.

Higher education

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 course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

a. Bachelor degree or higher in Physiotherapy and:

i. hold current registration with the required Authority in Australia, or Registration Authority in country of current practice; and

ii. 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

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

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

English Proficiency Requirements

English Proficiency Entry RequirementsStudents 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.

Special requirements

Students participating in practicums will require:

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

Or international equivalent

On campus requirements

February intake will be offered. Units will be delivered in online mode for Semesters 1 and 3 and mixed mode in Semester 2, incorporating online, intensive residential workshops, practicums and a research project. All residential workshops and assessments will be scheduled for 1-2 weeks in Semester 2.

Practicum placement

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

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.

The Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy 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. Eligible physiotherapists can commence this course at the Australian Catholic University in Semester 1 or as a mid-year intake in Semester 2 of the academic year, part-time or full-time and as on or off-shore students.

The course will provide physiotherapists 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. Graduates will develop an understanding of how wellbeing relates to performance and be able to critically analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge, using an evidence-informed person-centred approach, 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 aim of this course is to provide Physiotherapists with skills and knowledge to work with athletes and people of all ages, abilities and cultural contexts, in community, elite or high performance sport and exercise, in the private and public sectors.

Recommended Study Pattern

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

1. 80 cp from Specified Units
   1. 40 cp from Research Units

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