Master of Strength and Conditioning

UniSQ’s Master of Strength and Conditioning is a great opportunity for sport and exercise science, clinical exercise physiology, or related graduates who are looking to progress their career with an industry-relevant strength and conditioning qualification. 

1. Select and critically apply an evidence-based approach to strength and conditioning concepts, research and perspectives associated with current practice in high performance settings.
2. Critically analyse and synthesise relevant strength and conditioning principles and concepts, scientific literature, research methodology, problems and theories, and apply this knowledge to advance training in athletic populations in a safe and effective manner.
3. Strategically utilise specialised skills and advanced theoretical knowledge to analyse, evaluate and communicate strength and conditioning concepts in applied practice.
4. Apply and integrate specialised skills and theoretical knowledge in the planning, design and execution and evaluation of strength and conditioning programs, concepts and methodologies for athletic populations.
5. Demonstrate effective application of a range of professional skills when interacting with culturally and linguistically diverse athletic populations and professionals including behaving and communicating in an ethical, respectful and culturally safe manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
6. Acquire advanced knowledge on current trends and professional issues affecting strength and conditioning in high performance settings.
7. Demonstrate advanced coaching skills and strategies appropriate for working in high performance settings with various athletic populations.
8. Critically appraise research employing evidence-based approaches, advanced conceptual and theoretical knowledge skills to plan, develop and execute a strength and conditioning research manuscript.

Graduates can find work within high-performance settings such as sport schools, academies and institutes of sport, law enforcement, military and rescue professions, universities, youth athlete development programs, or work within community sport and recreation programs that specialise in strength and conditioning and physical performance optimisation. Career progression from Strength and Conditioning coach to Strength and Conditioning Lead or Director of Strength and Conditioning.

Professional recognition

Successfully completing the Master of Strength and Conditioning supports your application for accreditation as a strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), which is endorsed by Sport Australia. 

Higher education

Completion of an Australian university three-year or four-year bachelor degree in the area of sport and exercise science, or equivalent, with a minimum GPA > 4.5;

OR

Completion of an Australian university three-year or four-year bachelor degree in a relevant health-related discipline with a minimum GPA > 4.5;

OR

Completion of a Graduate Diploma in the area of sport and exercise science, or relevant health-related discipline with a minimum GPA > 4.5;

OR

Completion of UniSQ's Graduate Diploma of Strength and Conditioning with a GPA > 4.5.

English Proficiency Requirements

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. For entry to the Master of Strength and Conditioning program, applicants are required to meet the Category 4 English Language Proficiency requirements.

On campus requirements

Students are required to attend two mandatory residential schools (total of three weeks) on the Ipswich campus.

Practicum placement

Practical experience is an integral component of the Coursework Stream and each student is required to undertake and satisfactorily complete 160 hours of practical experience.

Progression into practical courses is dependant upon a pass grade in theoretical and other practical courses which have been set as prerequisites.

Applicants must be willing to undertake and submit the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland for practical placement. Please refer to the applicable Professional Practice Experience Handbook for the Master of Strength and Conditioning.

Mandatory documents required prior to commencing industry placement in the program (Coursework Track):

• Blue Card or Working with Children Check
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)
• Australian Police Certificate
• Resume
• UniSQ Student Declaration
• UniSQ Placement Request Form

All students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing industry placements:

• Hepatitis B immunisation
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunisation
• Varicella immunisation
• Pertussis immunisation
• Influenza immunisation
• Tuberculosis Risk Assessment
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Other immunisations as required by health services.

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the USQ Credit and Exemption Procedure.

Make a strong choice for your strength and conditioning career progression in elite sport and work in high performance settings training athletes to lift their game. Developed in consultation with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) to meet international standards, the Master of Strength and Conditioning is a great opportunity for sport and exercise science, clinical exercise physiology, or related graduates who are looking to progress their career with an industry-relevant strength and conditioning qualification. Choose between a coursework or research stream and gain plenty of hands-on skills from our national and international sporting partners during industry placement opportunities. At our residential school intensives, you will be taught face-to-face by world-leading, international strength and conditioning coaches and researchers. Further study pathways include the Master of Research and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Recommended Study Pattern

Year 1 - Semester 1

SES5100 Fundamental Principles of Strength and Conditioning

SES5101 Athlete Testing and Monitoring in Sport

SES5102 Sports Nutrition and Supplementation for Health and Performance

SES5103 Communication Leadership and Negotiation in Sport

Year 1 - Semester 2

SES5104 Scientific Principles of Strength and Conditioning

SES5105 Technology and Data Science in Strength and Conditioning

SES5106 Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation for Athletes

SES5107 Physiological Aspects of Strength and Conditioning

Year 2 - Semester 1

SES6200 Strength and Conditioning Methods for Athletes I (Strength and Power)

SES6201 Applied Data Analysis and Interpretation in Strength and Conditioning

SES6202 Monitoring Athlete Workload, Health and Performance+

SES6300 Research Project - Strength and Conditioning I OR SES6400 Strength and Conditioning Practicum I

Year 2 - Semester 2

SES6203 Strength and Conditioning Methods II (Speed and Endurance)

SES6204 Current Trends in Strength and Conditioning

SES6205 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Athletes

SES6301 Research Project - Strength and Conditioning II OR SES6401 Strength and Conditioning Practicum II

Award Requirements

Completed of 16 units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.

Exit Points

• Upon completion of the appropriate 4 units, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning.
• Upon completion of the appropriate 8 units, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Strength and Conditioning.

Choose your subjects

Electives

In both semesters of Year 2, students will have the choice between two courses (as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern) depending on their preference of completing the Master of Strength and Conditioning program with a Research stream or a Coursework stream.