Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy
Course information for - 2024 entry
- Duration
- 1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
$22968 Fee-paying
- Start dates
- ACU Term 1 - Mon 29 Jan, ACU Term 3 - Mon 15 July
As of 22 August 2023, Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy graduates who are Australian registered physiotherapists and members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) are able to apply for the Title of an APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, enabling them to become a Member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, and to use the post-nominal designation, MACP.
Overview
The Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will provide you, as a physiotherapist, with the opportunity to acquire advanced theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge of normal and pathological human movement as it relates to sports, exercise, performance, injuries, pathology and disease.
Using an evidence-informed person-centred approach, you will develop an understanding of how wellbeing relates to performance and be able to critically analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge for the physiotherapy management of sports injuries or other health conditions and to enhance sports or exercise performance and wellbeing in athletes and people of all ages, abilities and cultural contexts within the relevant ethical and legal frameworks.
The course will be delivered online with short, intensive face-to-face blocks, over 1.5 years full-time equivalent. The course is suitable for graduate physiotherapists eligible for registration in their own country, with a minimum two years’ experience post-graduation.
The majority of the units will be delivered in online mode with some units delivered in multi-mode incorporating online, intensive residential workshops, practicums and a research project. All residential workshops and assessments will be scheduled for 1-2 weeks in the same ACU Online Term.
Professional experience
Students are required to be working in the sports or exercise environment for a minimum of one day per week as a requirement of specific units.
Volunteer experience
Students are required to be working or be in a volunteer position in the sports environment for a minimum of 80 hours as part of a Term 3 unit.
Professional recognition
This course meets the requirements of post graduate qualification for employment beyond the entry level in physiotherapy. The coursework positions graduates for promotion and professional recognition.
Supervision arrangements
Given students are registered physiotherapy practitioners, they can undertake clinical practice activities related to this coursework without direct supervision by a clinical educator. ACU will provide mentoring and peer support during these clinical practicums which will include mentoring or virtual supervision provided by ACU staff, and/or external mentors/supervisors assigned and supported by ACU staff. The School of Allied Health at ACU will provide an appropriate supervisor for each independent research project.
Accreditation
Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy graduates who are Australian registered physiotherapists and members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association are able to apply for Australian Physiotherapy Association Titled membership in the relevant stream.
Careers
You will be able to apply theory and practice learned in a range of health provider settings including but not limited to:
- professional and semi-professional sporting organisations
- community sport settings
- national and state institutes of sport
- academies of sport
- Emergency Departments in hospitals
- government and non-government funded sporting programs (e.g. university, school or post-school sporting clubs)
- government prevention and management of chronic disease through exercise programs
- international high performance sport organisations
- sport, health and disease-based research
Examples of potential employment roles include:
- sports and exercise physiotherapist for a club, a team or a sports event at national or international levels for visiting or host nation programs
- E.g. Australian Olympic Team, Olympic and Commonwealth Games, Australian University Games
- sports medicine manager for a team, an event
- venue medical manager for major Games
- high performance manager
- government advisor on exercise for health
Course details
Course structure
To qualify for the Master of Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy, a student must complete 120 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:
- 80 cp Specified Units (Part A)
- 40 cp from Research Units (Part B)
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
- A student who has completed 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with the Graduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy.
- A student who has completed 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, including a minimum 20 cp from PHTY units, may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy.
Additional course information
ACU Term 1 and Term 3 intakes will be offered. The majority of the units will be delivered in online mode with some units delivered in multi-mode incorporating online, intensive residential workshops, practicums and a research project. All residential workshops and assessments will be scheduled for 1-2 weeks in the same ACU Term.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .
International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
a. Bachelor degree or higher in Physiotherapy and:
- hold current registration with the required Authority in Australia, or Registration Authority in country of current practice; and
- have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience as a physiotherapist post-graduation (including minimum 1 year in musculoskeletal or sports areas).
OR
b. ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy
NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 40 credit points.
NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 80 credit points.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
a. Bachelor degree or higher in Physiotherapy and:
i. hold current registration with the required Authority in Australia, or Registration Authority in country of current practice; and
ii. have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience as a physiotherapist post-graduation (including minimum 1 year in musculoskeletal or sports areas).
OR
b. ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy
NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 40 credit points.
NOTE: Applicants having completed ACU’s Graduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy will be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 80 credit points.
English language requirements
Academic IELTS; or IELTS indicator online test
Overall score: 7.0. Individual score of 6.5 in all tests
PTE Academic
65 with a minimum of 58 in all four communicative skills
TOEFL
Internet based total of 94: minimum 24 writing, 20 speaking and listening and 19 in reading
CAE
Overall CAE score 185, Minimum score of 176 in all tests
ACU English Language test; or ACU EAP
A (75-100%)
Or
Demonstrated current registration with an accredited body that has an English language requirement equivalent to, or higher than, the standards required by the University. Recognised registrations include:
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration other than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Health Practice registration;
Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Teacher registration;
Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Teacher registration; and
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Teacher registration.
Or
At least one full-time year of study of an Australian secondary or tertiary qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher, and completed no earlier than five years prior to the commencement of the course of study to which the student seeks admission;
Or
Demonstrated successful completion of at least one full-time year of study of an overseas qualification equivalent to an Australian secondary or tertiary qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher, where the medium of study was English, and completed no earlier than five years prior to the commencement of the course of study to which the student seeks admission.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
People who have completed a Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy program at Australian Catholic University or a Graduate Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy at an Australian university may be eligible to enter the Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy/Master of High Performance Sport program and be awarded up to 40 credit points in recognition of prior learning.
Further study
Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy graduates may be eligible to progress to a Research Higher Degree.
Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy graduates may be eligible to articulate to the Master of High Performance Sport.
Fees
Course costs
$22968 Fee-paying
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.