General Information

Overview

The Master of Physiotherapy program at Swinburne will produce entry to practice with physiotherapists who are confident and enterprising health professionals who will lead practice, innovation and business creation in healthcare. They will have immediate workforce value with competency in Physiotherapy skills that are informed by research and evidence, literacy in digital health, skills in business and entrepreneurship. Graduates will be agile, resilient and engage in community and global contexts within health.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Master of Physiotherapy requires students to complete units of study to the value of 200 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated. The volume of learning of the Master of Physiotherapy is typically an accelerated two years.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Applied Anatomy and Biomechanics for Physiotherapists
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT60001
Knowing-Self, Professional Practice and Communication
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT60002
Exercise and Acute Musculoskeletal Conditions
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT60003
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent
PHT60004
Neurosciences and Physiotherapy Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent
PHT70001
Sports, Occupational Health and Rehabilitation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT70002
Research, Evidence and Translation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT70003
Leadership and Enterprise for Health Professionals
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT70004
Community Health Promotion and Chronic Disease
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT70005
Integrated Physiotherapy Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHT80001
Early Life and Specific Populations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent
PHT80002
Research and Innovation Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent
PHT80004
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice A
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours of clinical placement
PHT60015
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice B
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours of clinical placement
PHT70015
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice C
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours clinical placement
PHT80015
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice D
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 320 hours clinical placement
PHT80025

Aims and objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Exhibit contemporary knowledge, critical thinking, skills and behaviours that meet the professional threshold standards for autonomous entry-level physiotherapy practice in a range of contexts across the lifespan
  • Critically analyse and apply an ethical and evidence-based approach to inform sound clinical reasoning for safe and effective person centred practice in local, national and global contexts
  • Communicate appropriately and responsively across oral, written and digital modalities to develop therapeutic and professional relationships with individuals and within and across teams
  • Adopt a commitment to lifelong learning including the ability to critically evaluate own and peers’ skills to continually develop as reflective physiotherapists prepared to adapt within emerging and rapidly changing local, national and global healthcare environments
  • Employ an inclusive, person centred approach to practice through appropriately and effectively collaborating with culturally and linguistically diverse clients, families, the community and interprofessional colleagues
  • Professionally articulate cultural capability, including respect, communication, reflection, advocacy, safety and quality that is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diversity
  • Educate and empower others, including clients, families, communities and interprofessional colleagues, to promote and optimise health and wellbeing
  • Organise and prioritise workload and resources using critical thinking skills to provide safe, effective and efficient autonomous entry-level healthcare

Career opportunities

  • Physiotherapist

Professional recognition

Australian Physiotherapy Program

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Physiotherapy is 100 credit points (normally eight units)

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Master of Physiotherapy?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

View course page