The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is a full time 72-unit coursework program which is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. It requires two years of full time on-campus and online (flexible) study and requires students to successfully complete a minimum of 360 hours of clinical practicum.
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) provides a unique and specialised role by offering exercise interventions as part of the primary and secondary prevention as part of treatment of chronic and other health conditions.
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a Bachelors degree in Sport and/or of Exercise Science that is accredited and satisfies Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) entry requirements into a postgraduate Clinical Exercise Physiology course, OR be a Full Member or eligible for Full Membership with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) as an ‘Accredited Exercise Scientist’. Applicants need to have completed 140 hours of practicum experience with apparently healthy individuals. Graduates of undergraduate programs in science and/or health science require an 'ESSA approved Graduate status'. International students are not eligible to apply for this program.
This is a professional entry-level course covering essential material for registration as an AEP with ESSA; credit will not be awarded for prior learning unless applicants are transferring from other accredited postgraduate entry-level Exercise Physiology courses.
Course aims
The overall aim of the program is to prepare students for professional practice as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). Graduates will be able to contribute to interdisciplinary health interventions using exercise as part of the management strategy of disease, dysfunction and injury across a range of public and private settings and work within an interdisciplinary environment including rural and remote areas.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- apply the principles of exercise assessment and prescription to a variety of prevalent and priority metabolic, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health conditions;
- design and implement individualised and client-centred exercise interventions to enhance a person's functional capacity and health status;
- use appropriate behaviour change strategies to promote health and compliance of physical activity;
- demonstrate an awareness of medical and other allied health interventions showing appropriate exercise approaches and interdisciplinary scope of practice;
- demonstrate skills to assess, monitor and modify exercise interventions within hospitals, return to work and aged care populations in an individualised and client-centred approach;
- demonstrate research skills and a thorough understanding of the scientific basis for exercise for a given health condition;
- interpret and apply specific skills and competencies in the areas of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation, which will assist in gaining accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA);
- demonstrate well developed cognitive and creative skills to teach, coach and motivate clients to facilitate self-management of exercise and healthy lifestyle, using models of behaviour change, scientific evidence and clinical reasoning while accounting for socioeconomic and individual factors
Program of study
To qualify for the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, a student must complete 72 units of study awarded with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic according to the following program of study.
Students who commence the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology but elect not to complete that degree may be eligible to be awarded with the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies, subject to passing 36 units of study from the core topics in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology or a minimum of 27 units of study from core topics in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology and a maximum of 9 units of study from elective topics from other relevant graduate awards in the university.
Except with the permission of the Dean (Education):
- the course must be completed within four consecutive years, or where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board;
- a student may not proceed to a higher year unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year’s topics.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within four consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University’s Policy on Student Progress
Core - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
EXSC8001 Clinical Exercise Assessment and Prescription (4.5 units)
EXSC8002 Exercise Physiology Professional Practice (4.5 units)
EXSC8003 Advanced Exercise Prescription and Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders (4.5 units)
EXSC8004 Exercise and Chronic Disease Management (4.5 units)
MHSC8111 Managing Chronic Conditions -Self-Management Support Approaches (4.5 units)
MMED8937 Pathophysiology for Medical Science GE (4.5 units)
REHB9034 Rehabilitation Research Methods (4.5 units)
REHB9101 Clinical Rehabilitation Research Project Design (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
EXSC9001 Exercise and Musculoskeletal Conditions (Practicum 1) (9 units)
EXSC9002 Exercise for Metabolic and Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum 2) (9 units)
EXSC9003 Exercise Management in Special Populations (Practicum 3) (9 units)
REHB9103 Advanced Rehabilitation Project Implementation and Evaluation (9 units)
