Bachelor of Podiatry

Southern Cross University

About

The feet contain almost a quarter of all the bones in our bodies - it’s essential to take care of them.

Our Bachelor of Podiatry will enable you to exert a positive, healing effect on people with conditions of the foot and lower leg including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, paediatrics and primary care.In our state-of-the-art facilities at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus, you will gather the expertise to offer sound diagnosis and treatment.You'll also benefit from professional placements enabling you to work with children, adults, athletes and the elderly, examining issues around sporting injuries, gait, biomechanics and acute conditions.Graduates can pursue a career with a high degree of autonomy, working in hospital settings or in group or individual practice.

Structure

Core Units

Title Level of learning Note
HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy Introductory
HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I Introductory
PSYC1003 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
PODR1001 - Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
STAT2001 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II Introductory
HBIO2007 - Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
PBHL1001 - The Australian Health Care System Introductory
PODR2003 - Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
PHAR2001 - Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
SCIN2003 - Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
PODR2001 - Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
PODR2004 - Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
INDG2001 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
PODR2002 - Lower Limb Assessment I Intermediate
PODR2010 - Lower Limb Assessment II Intermediate
HBIO2004 - Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
PODR2005 - Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
PHAR2002 - Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
REHB2001 - Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
PODR2008 - Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
PODR2009 - Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
REHB2002 - Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
PODR3001 - Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
PBHL3004 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
REHB3002 - Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
REHB3001 - Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLTH3003 - Transition to Professional Practice Advanced
HLTH1003 - Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory

Elective

Title Level of learning Note
One elective unit from the University wide offerings

Entry requirements

Applicants must have achieved:

  1. satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
  2. completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
  3. the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
  4. the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
  5. the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
  6. the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
  7. successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s standards for English language must be met. See https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx for further information.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Podiatry, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising: • 29 core units (372) credit points); and • 1 elective unit (12 credit points) from University-wide offerings.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Progression

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning. Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning. Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Candidates who have completed the Bachelor of Pedorthics may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Podiatry.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the <a href="/staff/teaching-and-learning/graduate-attributes/">graduate attributes</a>.

Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice.
Creativity Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills.Demonstrate knowledge, skill and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice.
Ethical practice Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice.Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice.
Knowledge of a discipline Function in accordance with all relevant legislation, registration requirements, guidelines and standards affecting clinical/professional practice.Assess, plan, provide and evaluate safe and effective clinical practice with a range of client groups across the lifespan.
Lifelong learning Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice.
Communication and social skills Work collaboratively in a range of health care teams with an understanding of best practice and the evidence base that supports it.Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, significant others and professional colleagues in ways that are appropriate to the scholarly, professional and/or social setting.
Cultural competence Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership.Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide).

Institution