Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
July

Campus
City East

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IMAP

SATAC Code
4CM187 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus

Fees
$AU 33,600 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have:
- completed a Bachelor degree level, or equivalent professional entry level qualification, from a recognised higher education institution, in Physiotherapy; AND
- a minimum 10 months full-time, or equivalent, physiotherapy practice in a relevant field following completion of the professional entry level qualification; AND
- met the requirements for eligibility for registration as a physiotherapist or limited registration under supervision with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Students must apply for limited registration after acceptance into the program.
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Aim

The Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) enables qualified and experienced physiotherapists to gain advanced theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. It aims to provide physiotherapists with an advanced qualification in musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice through advancing their knowledge, clinical skills and application of evidence based practice.

Content & Structure

The program consists of 36 units of study offered over 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent. Students are required to complete 9 units of evidence based practice and study courses in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, Pain Mechanisms, and Pain Assessment, Rehabilitation and Management. The program culminates in completion of the capstone courses Advanced Physiotherapy Clinical Studies 1 & 2 where students apply their acquired advanced knowledge and skills in a clinical setting.
International students studying in Australia should note that up to 25% of the courses will be delivered in external mode.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
First Semester
Allied Health Research Evidence Translation	REHB 5118	4.5	Note(s): 3
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1	REHB 5120	4.5
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 2	REHB 5121	4.5
Integrated Pain Sciences	REHB 5122	4.5
Second Semester
Advanced Scope Physiotherapy	REHB 5130	4.5
Strength and Conditioning	HLTH 5197	4.5
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice 1	REHB 5114	4.5		Rule(s): 3,4,5,6
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice 2 (Musculoskeletal)	REHB 5125	4.5		Rule(s): 3,5,6

Rules & notes

Rules

1. The program requires participation in practical classes where manual skills are practised. Essential learning activities in some classes may require that students partially remove their clothing to a level that is appropriate to the learning activity. Students may also be asked to act as subjects for their peer group members. If a student is unable to meet these requirements they may be at risk of being unable to successfully complete course objectives and assessments and progress through the program.

2. To undertake field/clinical placements students are required to have current criminal history and screening checks as published by the Clinical Placement Unit (unisa.edu.au/CPU). These checks will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent field / clinical placement involvement and subsequently may prevent completion of the program.

3. Before commencing any clinical courses, students are required to be registered to practice physiotherapy in Australia. International students are required to obtain a 'Limited Registration' under supervision from the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

4. Students must hold a 'Provide First Aid' Certificate, including expired air resuscitation (EAR) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), therapeutic oxygen techniques and automatic defibrillation training, asthma management and emergency trauma management certification before undertaking this course. The University will organise a combined workshop to cover all of these components, for which you receive national certification.

5. Students will be required to undertake Child Safe Environments training before commencing their clinical placement.

6. Students will be required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which the clinical placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent them from satisfying the requirements for the completion of the program.

Notes

1. The program is normally completed in 12 months of full-time study or the part-time equivalent.

2. The Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy does not itself qualify students for general registration as a physiotherapist in Australia. Physiotherapists trained overseas wanting to work in Australia must contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for details on qualification acceptance and registration.

3. It is assumed that students enrolling into this course have obtained at least an undergraduate level understanding of the principles and practice of evidence-informed practice, and quantitative and qualitative research designs.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is accredited by the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy National Professional standards committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and graduates are eligible to apply for titling as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapy Association. This accreditation is also recognised by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists for reciprocal recognition.