Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation

You'll learn to assess and prescribe exercise and physical activity for people with chronic conditions or complex care needs.

This course will prepare you to work in the community and in clinical settings with people who have:

musculoskeletal injuries neurological conditions metabolic conditions cardiovascular conditions various comorbidities.

Our program follows a strong evidence-based teaching approach to the scope of practice of clinical exercise physiology.

To consolidate your theoretical learning, you will gain significant practical experience in clinical placements.

You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience to work as an exercise physiologist.

There is also an optional research component embedded in this course that will prepare you academically for a PhD pathway.

This course has provisional accreditation with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

(Note:

Fees with CSP are subject to availability.)

To attain the Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, students will be required to complete 144 credit points consisting of:

• 120 credit points core units
• 24 credit points research units (Option 1 or 2)

OPTION 1 - Coursework

• 24 credit points research coursework units

OPTION 2 - Thesis

• 24 credit points minor thesis units

Requirements of the accrediting body, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA):Students may need to complete either JQU0056 Cancer, Renal and Respiratory Domains or JQU0057 Respiratory Domain (JQAN ESSA 2018 Standards Bridging Course), on advice from the course chair depending on the combinations of units undertaken in the Master of Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation.

Course structure and units

Core Units:

• Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Cardiorespiratory Conditions Unit code SCL6000 Credits12
• Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Metabolic Conditions and Cancer Unit code SCL6001 Credits12
• Exercise and Mental Health Unit code SCL6002 Credits12
• Case Management for Clinical Exercise Unit code SCL6101 Credits12
• Clinical Exercise Practice Unit code SCL6104 Credits12
• Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Musculoskeletal Conditions Unit code SCL6202 Credits12
• Exercise Assessments and Interventions for Neurological Conditions Unit code SCL6203 Credits12
• Occupational Health and Exercise Rehabilitation Unit code SCL6204 Credits12
• Advanced Case Management and Practice Unit code SCL7000 Credits12
• Applied Sports Statistics Unit code SFS7010 Credits12

OPTION 1 - Coursework

• Enhancing Muscular Performance Unit code SFS7011 Credits12
• Behavioural Aspects of Active Living Unit code SMG7240 Credits12

OPTION 2 - Thesis

• Minor Thesis Unit code SCL7001 Credits24

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a similar disciplineORCompletion of an Australian Graduate Certificate (or equivalent) in a similar discipline

A prerequisite for admission to AMEP is Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) accreditation as an Exercise Scientist (AES), or eligibility for Exercise Scientist accreditation.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Additional information

To check whether your prior study would meet current ESSA Exercise Science standards, please consult the ESSA website (https://www.essa.org.au/Public/APPLY_NOW/Accreditation/Exercise_Science_... (external link)). Complete a Graduate Entry Assessment (GEA) (https://www.essa.org.au/Public/APPLY_NOW/Graduate_Entry_Assessment.aspx (external link)) and include the information that you receive back from ESSA in your application for the AMEP. Typically a GEA is completed by students coming from a non ESSA accredited qualification. If you are not sure if your degree is ESSA accredited or not, you should check with your university, or here at the ESSA website.https://www.essa.org.au/Public/EDUCATION_PROVIDERS/Accredited_Courses.aspx (external link)

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement hours are obtained in the units SCL6104 Clinical Exercise Practice and SCL7000 Advanced Case Management and Practice, and total a minimum of 220 hours (as allowed by ESSA under Individual Provisional Accreditation requirements due to COVID).

The minimum hours are calculated as: Placements supported (onsite or offsite) - 70% of 220 - 360 hours = 154 - 252 hours Placements supported (onsite) - 30% of 220 – 360 hours = 66 - 108 hours

Students may negotiate additional hours beyond the minimum 220 hours, up to a maximum of 360 hours, on a case by case basis.

Clinical placement hours are split between SCL6104 and SCL7000. Placement hour requirements must be accrued within 3 months of completing each unit (full-time) or 6 months (part-time); not necessarily in one block or at one institution.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: