Bachelor of Pedorthics

Ever wanted to be at the cutting edge of a profession? Pedorthics is a newly allied health specialization that focuses on biomechanics and improving foot function to promote better mobility.

Our Bachelor of Pedorthics , the only degree of its kind offered by a University in Australia, prepares you for a career as a specialist in the design and manufacture of shoes and orthotics to maximize the performance of feet and treat lower limb conditions. Students will learn about health conditions that impact the feet, the mechanics of gait, entrepreneurship, footwear design and footwear production.

Southern Cross University offers a focus on problem-based learning in small groups and experiential learning, providing brand new laboratories on campus and facilitating practical placements in a range of health settings.

Graduates will have the opportunity to work in a range of sectors, including health practices, the sporting industry the disability sector or fashion footwear.

Career Opportunities

As a pedorthist – a health care professional who specializes in the improvement of human movement, in particular, gait and better foot function. A pedorthist conducts a comprehensive assessment that may lead to them manufacturing corrective footwear, orthoses or other supportive devices. Pedorthists work with adults, children, people with disabilities and athletes. They can also use their skills to make comfortable fashion footwear.

Typical career examples include:

Working with adults – addressing associated pain from foot, knee and back issues to improve the quality of life.

Diabetes care – where the correction and management of the feet through footwear and orthoses can prevent limb loss.

Disability health services – where the correct footwear, orthoses, and support is vital to ensure the best outcomes and to minimize deterioration of function and improve comfort.

Footwear design and manufacture – for those with an interest in footwear fashion, use your pedorthic know-how to make fashion footwear unique yet comfortable.

Pediatrics – giving toddlers and children assistance with correct footwear and orthoses.

Sporting industry – where the interaction of footwear and orthoses can assist athletes to perform at their best. Many serious and professional athletes have their orthoses and footwear fine-tuned to their needs.

International – studying pedorthics may open employment opportunities overseas as students will be exposed to a range of international contacts.

Professional Recognition

This course has provisional accreditation with the Pedorthic Association of Australia pending completion of the first graduate cycle in 2019. Once fully accredited, the degree will enable graduates to practice as professional pedorthists, become members of the Association, and appear on the Australian Register of Pedorthists.

Professional Placement

During the course, students gain work experience to apply their skills and knowledge. They will complete approximately 1,000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the three years of study.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfill certain prerequisites prior to attending placement. Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.

Major Areas of Study

The course develops comprehensive knowledge and associated skills in this new allied health profession. Students are introduced to foot care as a requirement for living independently and being mobile. Studies include learning about health problems associated with feet and footwear design and production.

Assessment methods

A variety of assessment methods is used in this course including multiple choice examinations, short answer examinations, essay examinations, case studies, tutorial and workshop presentations, debates, written assignments, simulations and clinical skills testing.

In the clinical settings, clinical e-portfolios, reflective exercises, and clinical competency appraisal are required.

For each unit, there are usually two to three assessment items.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of a podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Facts, figures, rankings and awards

Southern Cross University is a progressive, young and connected regional research university, with vibrant campuses in northern New South Wales and the southern Gold Coast. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and many are available in a dynamic online form. Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

Why SCU?

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 20Bold, progressive and just 23 years of age – Southern Cross University is one of the Asia-Pacific’s Top 100 Universities and one of the world’s Top 50 Generation Y Universities .

Our contemporary campuses, with purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities, are located on the east coast of Australia, at the Gold Coast in Queensland, and in Lismore and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. All are unique regions renowned for their natural beauty and ecological diversity, providing living laboratories for learning and creative hubs for artistic endeavour.

Branch campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are operated in collaboration with EduCo on behalf of Southern Cross University. The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney and Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia. We also deliver degrees with collaborators in China, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

We have a large and diverse range of courses available online, offering interactive and immersive learning experiences wherever our students are.

Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

We aim to produce graduates who are career ready, world ready and digitally literate, and who experience an academic environment distinctive for its personal approach.

The University has a strong focus on industry and community collaboration to produce engaged teaching and research outcomes.

This connectivity is seeing Southern Cross University lead the $13.8m national Farming Together Pilot Program, partnering with the Northern Rivers Co-operatives Alliance and the Australian Government. The University has also introduced an important new Centre for Organics Research with the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia report, Southern Cross achieved outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 24 research fields. In nine research fields, the University was evaluated at the highest possible classification of 'well above world standard'. This was achieved in the fields of Geochemistry, Oceanography, Environmental Science and Management, Zoology, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Crop and Pasture Production, Forestry Sciences, Nursing, Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Campuses

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses on the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour.

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses (International students)

Southern Cross University's branch campuses at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are conveniently located in the central business districts.

Studying at SCU Sydney, Melbourne or Perth gives international students the opportunity to complete undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in three of the world's most liveable cities. Southern Cross University collaborates with EduCo Sydney Branch Pty Ltd for the operation of the SCU Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses.