Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

Take your previous study and passion for exercise and sports science to the professional level with the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology .

This degree increases your focus on the impacts of exercise on the health and well-being of the body and builds your knowledge of cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal health, as well as the impacts of exercise on metabolic and psychological health.

You are given the theoretical underpinnings to prescribe rehabilitation exercise for people with injury, disability or chronic disease, and practical experience at Southern Cross University’s Health Clinic.

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology will be able to apply to be an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and will have opportunities in a range of settings, including in private practice, in hospitals, aged care facilities, and rehab centers.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are suited to employment in various settings including private practice with referrals from GPs, rehabilitation centers, community health, multidisciplinary allied health clinics, workplace health centers, hospitals and aged care facilities.

Clinical exercise physiology is a relatively new allied health profession. Accredited exercise physiologists work in chronic disease prevention and management, and rehabilitation services (chronic disease and musculoskeletal rehabilitation) in rural and metropolitan areas.

Professional Recognition

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

2018 will be the final intake of this course under the current accreditation and all students commencing in 2018 will be required to study full-time.

Professional Placement

The course includes a minimum of 360 hours of clinical placement for students to put theory into practice. This occurs in the SCU Health Clinic on campus, seeing a wide range of clients with chronic conditions, as well as at external locations such as hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, sports clubs, private practices and aged care facilities. Inter-professional development is also encouraged and exercise physiology students may gain experience working with other allied health students.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfill certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, it is important that you understand what these requirements are.

Please note: External placements may continue after Session 3 if approved by the Course Coordinator.

Major Areas of Study

The course provides an advanced understanding of the theoretical and practical components of clinical exercise physiology.

The course covers Exercise and Sports Science Australia target pathologies including cardiac disease, pulmonary conditions, cancer, metabolic diseases, renal disease, musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, neurological and immunological conditions and exercise for mental health. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge to specific population groups, including older people.

Assessment methods

Students complete a variety of assessments which may include written exams, academic writing, competency assessments, clinical and in-person practical exams.

Teaching methods

The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit. On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities, laboratory and clinic sessions and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. Units are delivered by accredited exercise physiologists and academics who have diverse professional experience.

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.