Physiotherapy

The Master of Physiotherapy is a 72-unit coursework program which is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

It requires two years of full time study and is not offered externally or on a part-time basis.The course equips graduates to meet the entry level competency standards specified by the Australian professional accrediting body, the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

To qualify for the Master of Physiotherapy, a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Students who commence the Master of Physiotherapy but elect not to complete that degree may be eligible to be awarded with the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies, subject to passing 36 units of study from the core topics in the Master of Physiotherapy or a minimum of 27 units of study from core topics in the Master of Physiotherapy and a maximum of 9 units of study from elective topics from other relevant graduate awards in the university.

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

PHYT8001 Musculoskeletal Practice 1 (9 units) PHYT8002 Performance of Movement and Function (4.5 units) PHYT8003 Cardiorespiratory Practice (4.5 units) PHYT8007 Musculoskeletal Practice 2 (9 units) PHYT8011 Physiotherapy Clinical Practice (4.5 units) REHB8101 Interprofessional Practice (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

PHYT8004 Neurological Rehabilitation (4.5 units) PHYT9006 Complex Case and Advanced Practice (4.5 units) PHYT8008 Clinical Practicum 1 (Clinical Placements 3 and 4) (9 units) PHYT9009 Clinical Practicum 2 (Clinical Placements 5 and 6) (9 units) PHYT9010 Health Promotion and Leadership in Physiotherapy (4.5 units) SPTH9220 Research in Practice (4.5 units)

Except with the permission of the Dean (Education):

• the course must be completed within four consecutive years, or where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board;
• a student may not proceed to a higher year unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year’s topics.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within four consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University’s Policy on Student Progress.

Applicants must normally:

• hold an approved degree with a GPA of no less than 5.0, or an equivalent qualification; and
• have demonstrated that they have completed the following pre-requisite topics: the equivalent of 9 units of human physiology, including detailed exercise physiology; the equivalent of 9 units of anatomy, including detailed musculoskeletal and neurological anatomy; the equivalent of 4.5 units of study focussed on an understanding of the human and social environment and social perspectives in health such as psychology and sociology; and the equivalent of 4.5 units study of research methods; and/or evidence-based practice.

The Dean (Education) may however, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

This is a professional entry-level course covering essential material for registration; credit will not normally be awarded for prior learning unless applicants are transferring from other postgraduate entry-level physiotherapy courses.

At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• identify and apply key theoretical and practice approaches in physiotherapy;
• integrate physiotherapy knowledge and skills to prevent and manage disorders across the lifespan in a wide variety of settings with both individuals and populations including rural and remote health;
• collaborate and communicate with clients to meet their health needs in a culturally sensitive manner;
• select physiotherapy interventions relevant to the needs of clients using reflective and evidence-based practice;
• apply physiotherapy skills in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of clients and in health promotion and disease prevention, supported by technology;
• connect, collaborate and communicate effectively with other health professions in providing high quality health care; and
• reflect on their practice and plan their ongoing professional development as lifelong learners.