Master of Physiotherapy by Coursework - Overview

Course Structure
Entry Requirements
Core Subjects
Elective Subject or Clinical Anatomy
Eligibility to Practise in Australia
Subjects with Practical Components
Police Checks
Generic and Specific Skills

Please see also Subjects, Timetables, and Applications.

Course Structure

The Master of Physiotherapy by Coursework comprises eight (8) semester length subjects, each worth 12.5 credit points. Completion of all eight subjects is required for the award of Master of Physiotherapy.

The Master of Physiotherapy by Coursework is taken over one year full time or up to 4 years part time, and is offered in 6 Specialist Streams and a General Stream:

•  Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
•  General Physiotherapy
•  Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
•  Neurological Physiotherapy
•  Paediatric Physiotherapy
•  Sports Physiotherapy
•  Women's Health and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

The Specialist streams enable qualified and experienced physiotherapists to gain advanced theoretical and clinical skills in their chosen field of practice. A key feature of the Specialist Streams is the emphasis on the acquisition of advanced clinical skills in small group workshops and supervised clinical placements at carefully selected private and public clinics.

The General stream enables qualified and experienced physiotherapists to gain advanced theoretical knowledge across a broad range of subjects. Students can select their subjects from the specialist areas and other electives.

The availability of specific streams within the Master of Physiotherapy by Coursework in any year is dependent on minimum numbers of students enrolling. Some stream subjects are only offered every two years.
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Entry Requirements

Applicants must be qualified to practise as physiotherapists and should normally have at least two years clinical experience (including, for Specialist Streams, one year in the area of specialisation). Both academic achievement and clinical experience will be considered by the Selection Committee. It is generally expected that applicants will have achieved an average of at least 70% in their undergraduate degree.
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Core Subjects

The Master of Physiotherapy program is comprised of three core subjects, an elective subject or Clinical Anatomy subject, and four stream subjects.

The core subjects for the Master of Physiotherapy are:

•  Graduate Research Methods
•  Academic Writing, Ethics and Critical Enquiry
•  Motor Control, Performance and Exercise
•  Pain and Its Management

All students take the core subjects Graduate Research Methods and Academic Writing, Ethics and Critical Enquiry, and then select one of either Motor Control, Performance and Exercise, or Pain and Its Management.

The core subjects provide a framework for the evaluation of evidence for physiotherapy research and practice, development of professional academic writing and critical analytical skills, and exploration of the role of ethics in physiotherapy. They also encompass the theoretical concepts underpinning motor control and performance, as well as the physiological basis of physiotherapy practice. The core subjects of the program are taught by senior academic staff with advanced knowledge in their respective fields, and collaboration amongst the teaching staff ensures a cohesive and well-integrated program.
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Elective Subject or Clinical Anatomy

Students in the Musculoskeletal and Sports streams take a Clinical Anatomy subject in semester 2. Students in all other streams of the Masters select an elective from a list of approved elective subjects.

Eligibilty to Practise in Australia

For an overseas qualified physiotherapist to be eligible to practise as a physiotherapist in Australia, it is necessary to pass the Australian Physiotherapy Council assessment. Completion of the Master of Physiotherapy will not qualify applicants to practise physiotherapy in Australia.

Subjects with Practical Components

All students are required to participate in practical experience, including participation in mixed gender classes. Practical classes provide the opportunity to experience the roles of therapist, patient and observer. Participation will require students to remove appropriate clothing to permit inspection and exposure of the body part for treatment. This allows visual assessment, palpation of the part for diagnosis and accuracy of apparatus positioning. In the patient role, students experience the sensations and effects of the various forms of assessment and treatment in preparation for the giving of explanations and advice to patients. In order that no student is disadvantaged, the only exceptions from participation are when a student has specific medical contraindications. It is expected that students behave in a professional manner at all times when working with fellow students.
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Police Checks

Prospective students must obtain a police check (name check) prior to commencing and during the physiotherapy course. Applicants without a current police check may not be permitted to participate in clinical placements. International students should obtain a police check from the country in which they have been resident for the previous 12 months. Local students may download a "Consent to Check and Release National Police Record - Application Form" from the Victoria Police website. For further information refer to the Faculty Police Check Policy.
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Generic Skills

• A capacity for self-directed learning and the motivation for life-long independent learning.
• Well developed problem solving abilities, with flexibility of approach.
• An advanced level of oral and written communication.
• An appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.
• An ability to critically evaluate and synthesise research literature.
• A capacity to manage competing demands on time.
• An appreciation of the team approach to learning in complex areas.
• An advanced understanding of professional responsibility and ethical principles in relation to individuals and community, both locally and internationally.

Specific Skills

• An advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology applied to physiotherapy.
• An advanced understanding of the recent knowledge base in areas of physiotherapy.
• Advanced clinical skills and techniques applicable to relevant physiotherapy areas, including assessment techniques, clinical reasoning and decision-making skills in developing treatment plans and comprehensive patient management.
• A capacity to undertake detailed searching, analysis and interpretation of computerised medical literature databases.
• An ability to promote evidence-based practice in physiotherapy.
  
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