EXSC218 - Internship Preparation for Coaching and Prescription

Year

2023

Credit points

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit

Prerequisites

EXSC119 From Health to High Performance Sport and EXSC187 Growth, Motor Development and Ageing and EXSC199 Psychology of Sport and BIOL125 Human Biology 1

Teaching organisation

150 hours of focused learning.

Unit rationale, description and aim

Professional practice experience is an integral aspect of the transition from learner to practitioner, providing opportunities for the application of knowledge, understanding and skills in a work context. The aim of the unit is to prepare students for internship opportunities, categorising skills and attributes relevant for professional practice, career planning and determining professional skills and attributes for competitive professional practice and future career aspirations.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Be compliant for professional practice appropriate for ACU work integrated learning. (GA1, GA3, GA7, GA10) 

LO2  - Understand the scope of practice of exercise science, sports science and exercise physiologist and professional requirements in various work contexts (GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA8, GA10) 

LO3 - Classify elements of risk and risk management, and recognise the ESSA code of Professional Conduct and Ethical practice relevant for professional practice (GA3, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA9) 

LO4  - Critically reflect upon your knowledge and skills attained throughout your program of study and plan professional development and career aspirations (GA1, GA3, GA65, GA6, GA7, GA8) 

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA2 - recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society

GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA4 - think critically and reflectively

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession

GA6 - solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media

GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.

Content

The unit aims to prepare students for structured experiences in host organisations approved by the Internship Coordinator and experience in branches of exercise science and sports performance in which students might seek employment after graduation. This includes:

Purpose of compliance in professional practice and work integrated learning 
Explore principles and practices in Exercise Science, Sports Science and Exercise Physiology in a variety of settings 
Explore risk management in exercise science and workplace contexts 
Career planning and determining relevant skills and experiences for successful practicum
Exercise and Sports Science Australia Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice
Australian Strength and Conditioning Association Scope of Practice and Coaching Framework

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This national unit is delivered a mixed model approach of learning strategies. It employs an active learning approach consisting of some self-directed learning, online and workshops. It is designed to provide students with access to the knowledge and understanding, resources and preparatory requirements necessary for sourcing, organising and completing meaningful professional practice experiences. These strategies will allow students to meet the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate accordingly. 

Assessment strategy and rationale

Assessments are designed to ensure students are prepared for internship opportunities in EXSC309 Internship in Coaching and Prescription. ACU-specific requirements for student preparation include ACU online Working with Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Module, Faculty of Health Sciences Pre-Placement Verification process through InPlace and First Aid certification. Discipline-specific professional practice requirements included are ASADA Level 1 e-Learning Module and the Department of Health, National Integrity of Sport Unit “Keep Australian Sport Honest” e-Learning module.

Additionally, the knowledge and skills assessed in these professional practice requirements are part of the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Level 1 and Level 2 accreditation scheme. EXSC218 is part of a suite of units that contribute to ACU achieving the status of an ASCA recognised industry provider, allowing the students to streamline accreditation with this important industry partner at successful completion of their degree. The assessment tasks have been consequently designed to encompass the learning outcomes of the unit, while being aligned with the ASCA and ESSA accrediting bodies.

Overview of assessments

Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks	Weighting	Learning Outcomes	Graduate Attributes
Compliance for Practicum  Be compliant for professional practice appropriate for ACU work integrated learning	Hurdle	LO1	GA1, GA3, GA7, GA10
E-Learning modules completion ASADA Level 1 e-Learning Module Department of Health, National Integrity of Sport Unit, “Keep Australian Sport Honest” e-Learning module	Hurdle	LO1, LO2	GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA8, GA10
Application and career planning  Student will review and prepare their professional and academic experiences to be competitive for industry opportunities	Hurdle	LO2, LO4	GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA8, GA10
Scope of practice  Allows students to demonstrate understanding of Scope of practice for exercise science, sports science and exercise physiologist in professional practice contexts	Hurdle	LO2	GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA8, GA10
Risk, Code of Conduct and Ethical practice  Allow students to classify elements of risk and risk management. Student will recognise the ESSA code of professional conduct and Ethical practice relevant for professional practice	Hurdle	LO3	GA3, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA9
Critically reflection of Skills and Knowledge for career planning  Students will reflect upon their skills and knowledge attained in their program and plan professional development towards career aspirations.	Hurdle	LO4	GA1, GA3, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA8