Program Overview

Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

About the course

The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is designed to provide a holistic understanding of the use of exercise as a modality in the treatment of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic and other chronic and complex conditions. You’ll develop knowledge and skills in preparation for work in the allied health industry.

Course Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: Refer to the UWA Handbook
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 73520
• CRICOS code: D

Course Structure

• Conversion: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences Science from this university or equivalent as recognised by the course coordinator; or a bachelor's degree in Sport, Exercise and/or Movement Sciences from a recognised tertiary institution that has been accredited by ESSA at the 'Exercise Science' level must complete relevant conversion unit(s) up to the value of 24 points, as advised by the course coordinator.
  • SSEH2201 Exercise Prescription and Delivery (6)
  • SSEH2260 Exercise Physiology (6)
  • SSEH2295 Foundations of Work Integrated Learning (6)
  • SSEH3388 Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity (6)
  • SSEH3394 Professional Practice (6)
  • SSEH3553 Exercise as Medicine (6)
  • SSEH3555 Motor Development: Principles to Teaching in Practice (6)
• Core: Take all units (72 points):
  • SSEH4489 Advanced Exercise Rehabilitation (6)
  • SSEH4664 Exercise and Health Psychology (6)
  • SSEH5643 Cardiac Rehabilitation (6)
  • SSEH5644 Neurological Rehabilitation (6)
  • SSEH5645 Workplace Injury Prevention and Management (6)
  • SSEH5646 Chronic and Complex Conditions (6)
  • SSEH5647 Brain and Behaviours (6)
  • SSEH5651 Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (6)
  • SSEH5667 Clinical Paediatrics and Disability (6)
  • SSEH5691 Work Integrated Learning (Clinical Exercise Physiology) (6)
  • SSEH5692 Work Integrated Learning (Evidence-Based Practice) (6)
  • SSEH5693 Work Integrated Learning (Diverse Populations & Settings) (6)
  • SSEH5699 Exercise Physiology Clinical Portfolio (0)
• Option: Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points.
  • SSEH5020 Literature Review and Research Proposal (6)
  • SSEH5021 Sport Science Exercise and Health Research Project Part 1 (6)
  • SSEH5022 Sport Science Exercise and Health Research Project Part 2 (6)
  • SSEH5023 Sport Science Exercise and Health Research Project Part 3 (6)

Admission Requirements

• Important note for applicants: To enrol in this course, you must be able to attend in person. This course has a requirement for campus-based or in-person activities that cannot be offered online.
• Admission Requirements:
  1. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have— a. a relevant bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; b. the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent;
  2. Applicants are awarded a place in the 72-point course if they have either; a. a bachelor's degree that has been accredited by Exercise & Sport Science Australia at the 'Exercise Science' level; b. an official ESSA "Graduate Entry Assessment" letter that demonstrates equivalence with "Exercise Science" members.
  3. All other applicants are awarded a place in the 96-point course and must have a relevant bachelor's degree that included foundation units in human anatomy, functional anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise and health and research methods/statistics with equivalence to ESSA ‘Exercise Science' standards.

English Competency

• English competency: English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
• Graduate applicants: require at least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
• Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic: require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic Student Fees: For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation.
• Domestic Student Fees for Full-Fee Paying Places: If you're not eligible for a Commonwealth-supported places, you will be charged a for Full-Fee Paying place. For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load.
• International Student Fees: Annual course fee
  • 2025: $50,200.00
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Career Pathways

• Accredited exercise physiologists: specialise in clinical exercise interventions for people with a broad range of health issues. Those people may be at risk of developing, or have existing, medical conditions and injuries.
• Work settings: Accredited exercise physiologists work across a range of health settings including public and private hospitals, private and multidisciplinary clinics, government and not-for profit organisations, workplace health and rehabilitation, aged care facilities, fitness centres, gymnasiums and sports organisations.
• Services: Accredited exercise physiologists offer a range of services which include behavioural coaching, health education, exercise counselling and physical rehabilitation. Services include:
  • the prescription of tailored exercise programs
  • promoting leisure-time and incidental activity
  • counselling to reduce sedentary behaviours.

Further Study

• Students completing this degree: may have the option to pursue further studies in research.

Course Accreditation

• The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (73520): is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates will be eligible to apply for accreditation to practice as an accredited exercise physiologist.

Why Study Clinical Exercise Physiology?

• UWA is ranked 1st in WA and 2nd in Australia for Anatomy and Physiology (QS 2025)
• UWA is ranked 1st in WA and 5th in Australia for Sports-Related Subjects (QS 2025)

Industry Engagement

• The course also involves: a high level of engagement with AEPs and other industry professionals, with a significant component of learning taking place in a clinical setting.

Work Integrated Learning | Clinical Placement hosts

• Due to its long history and well established industry partnerships: the course is supported by Work Integrated Learning partners who are at the forefront of the Accredited Exercise Physiology field. Students are provided with a minimum of 400 hours of clinical placements and training across various domains including (but not limited to):
  • Exercise Movement Professionals
  • Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation
  • Health and Rehab Clinic
  • NeuroMoves Exercise
  • REPS Movement
  • Thriving (Exercise for Young People)
  • Youth Cancer Service
  • Western Australia Centre for Rural Health

Our Teaching Staff

• Dr Jay Ebert: is a lecturer and researcher within the School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science). Since completing his PhD in cartilage repair, biomechanics and exercise rehabilitation at UWA in 2008, for which he was awarded the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Medal, he has developed a passion for musculoskeletal and orthopaedic research.
• Dr Bonnie Furzer: is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a clinical role within the Mental Health Service at Fremantle Hospital. Further to her teaching and clinical roles, she is the founding Director of Thriving, a not for profit organisation providing clinical and educational services to build strong, happy and healthy young people through exercise.