Master of Physiotherapy

Program Overview

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Master of Physiotherapy

Overview

The Master of Physiotherapy is a 2-year full-time program that prepares students to become effective, culturally-appropriate practitioners focusing on the physiotherapist-client relationship. This program includes key physiotherapy-specific courses and clinical placement experiences, meaning students are work-ready upon completion of the degree.

Program Summary

Year One

• PHTY5006 Fundamentals for Physiotherapy
• ABOR5000 The Silent History
• PHTY5007 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral I)
• PHTY5008 Applied Neuroscience
• PHTY5009 Principles of Clinical Rehabilitation
• PHTY5010 Research and Evidence in Physiotherapy
• PHTY5011 Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation
• PHTY5012 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences I
• PHTY5013 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral II)
• PHTY5014 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan I
• PHTY6016 Clinical Education V (international student only)

Year Two

• BESC6000 Psychosocial Determinants of Health and Wellbeing
• PHTY6006 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal I)
• PHTY6007 Rehabilitation for the Neurosciences
• PHTY6008 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences II
• PHTY6009 Professional and Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice 1
• PHTY6010 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan II
• PHTY6011 Clinical Education II
• PHTY6012 Clinical Education III, Practitioner Development, and Professional Issues
• PHIL6020 Ethical Issues in Professional Life
• PHTY6013 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal II)
• PHTY6014 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan III
• PHTY6015 Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice II and Clinical Education IV

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University’s minimum requirements for admission for postgraduate programs.

International students must have a qualification that is recognised as equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree, AQF Level 7, or to be in the final year of an eligible Bachelor’s degree.

Specific Program Requirements for Admission:

• A Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science with a minimum GPA of 2.5;
• A Bachelor of Science with a major or specialisation in Exercise and Sports Science, with a minimum GPA of 2.5;
• Any Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5, which includes assessed studies in the following specific areas:
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Human Pathophysiology
• Inherent requirements as listed in the Program Requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Masters of Physiotherapy graduates will be able to:

1. Apply advanced verbal and written communication skills with clients, families, carers and service providers
2. Practice professional and ethical behaviour, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to clients with diverse social, cultural and spiritual beliefs
3. Autonomously apply critical reflection and expert judgement to identify limitations in knowledge, skills and abilities in order to plan and implement lifelong learning strategies
4. Synthesise complex information when accessing, and integrating best available evidence into physiotherapy practice
5. Apply advanced and integrated knowledge and skills to practice safe, effective entry-level physiotherapy across a range of settings
6. Employ critical analysis and expert judgement to formulate and conduct effective, efficient and adaptable physiotherapy practice
7. Develop and communicate physiotherapy-based health promotion and collaborative management strategies to empower clients to participate in healthcare decisions and behaviours
8. Contribute to healthcare delivery through culturally safe, effective inter-professional communication, advocacy and practice.

Practical Component

You will complete a variety of formal practicum experiences within the clinical setting as a part of the program. Clinical Placements operate in accordance with the Health and Universities Agreement for Allied Health Student Clinical Placements (2005) and Schedules to that agreement or its substitute in place at the time. You will complete approximately 750 hours of clinical practicum in this program.

The following courses are specific to clinical placement experiences:

• PHTY5011 Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation
• PHTY6011 Clinical Education II
• PHTY6012 Clinical Education III, Practitioner Development, and Professional Issues
• PHTY6015 Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice II and Clinical Education IV

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public health sectors. Career opportunities range from working in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in both urban and rural locations in the fields of aged care, cardiorespiratory, disability, musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, rehabilitation, research, clinical and/or academic teaching.

Real-World Experience

You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

Professional Accreditation

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

The fully accredited Physiotherapy course offers a formal curriculum that contains all of the elements required for professional registration. Graduates are eligible to register as physiotherapists with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) allowing them to work throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Postgraduate students.

Fees and Costs

Domestic Students

This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

International Students

Indicative Fee: $55,000
For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

The figure quoted is the indicative annual fee for 2024 for international students. The exact fee for an individual student will depend on the mix of courses studied. All costs and fees are provided in Australian Dollars (AUD$).