This Graduate Certificate is for qualified physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in both musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. You will develop advanced competencies through student-centred, critical, reflective engagement with contemporary theory, case-based discussion and critical reflection.

This Graduate Certificate involves a blend of on-campus and online learning, making it ideally suited to busy working professionals balancing clinical commitments.  

Graduates wishing to expand their knowledge even further can use this program to continue, with credit, into the Masters of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) or Masters of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Sports) programs. Graduates can then seek formal recognition by the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and specialist recognition by the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Graduates can also use the Graduate Certificate as a pathway to Research, with the Graduate Certificate satisfying the coursework requirements to proceed to a Masters by Research degree.

What you'll learn

Musculoskeletal and Sports physiotherapists need to be able to assess and manage a wide range of clinical presentations within an evidence informed framework. This requires advanced biomedical and psychosocial knowledge, advanced clinical examination skills, advanced clinical reasoning, and communication, education and procedural management skills. Through a variety of theoretical classes and practical experiences you will develop advanced skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You will study topics such as:

• allied health evidence translation
• pain theory and science
• advanced musculoskeletal examination and management.

Contemporary healthcare and clinical practice require therapists’ reasoning and practice to be critical, reflective, patient-centred and evidence informed. Postgraduate education is the optimal way to develop the advanced clinical knowledge and skills essential to expert physiotherapy clinical practice.

As a graduate, you may further your physiotherapy career across a variety of settings, including:

• private practice
• clinics
• sport and exercise services
• rehabilitation centres
• hospitals
• home and community services
• disability services
• aged care facilities