This Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia-accredited master degree is for qualified physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You will develop advanced competencies in musculoskeletal physiotherapy through student-centred, critical, reflective engagement with contemporary theory and supervision by clinical experts in practical and clinical sessions. Graduates from our program work in clinical practice, advanced practice roles in settings such as screening clinics and emergency departments, and academia.

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

What you'll learn

Musculoskeletal physiotherapists need to be able to assess and manage a wide range of patient problems within a biopsychosocial framework. This requires advanced biomedical and psychosocial knowledge, advanced physical and psychosocial examination skills, advanced clinical reasoning, and advanced 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
• pain assessment and management
• advanced musculoskeletal examination and management
• facilitating change in cognition, behaviours and lifestyle.

You will also receive supervision from postgraduate qualified physiotherapists to facilitate application of your new knowledge to clinical practice.

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

Professional accreditation and recognition

The program is accredited by the Professional Standards Committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Association national group Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia and satisfies the requirement for Titled Membership, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia.