Back

Develop your expertise in clinical exercise physiology with extensive placement opportunities and hands-on experience. You will become skilled in providing health and lifestyle support to rural and remote communities throughout Northern Australia. Learn how to assess, formulate and deliver exercise programs that make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of communities.

Download Brochure

Save

Print to PDF

#1 in Queensland

for full-time employment 2024 Good Universities Guide, PG Health Services

#1 in Queensland

for median graduate salary 2024 Good Universities Guide, PG Health Services

Enhance your expertise

Build the skills to progress your career

Townsville

Townsville: February

$37,960.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.

1.5 years full-time

Completion of an ESSA accredited AQF level 7 bachelor of sport and exercise science program or equivalent qualification from an overseas institution or hold current ESSA accreditation as an exercise scientist

English language requirements

Band 3b

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

102438K

What to expect

Broaden your current skillset to meet the health and lifestyle challenges facing people living in the Tropics. This Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology degree is designed for students who have completed an ESSA-accredited AQF level 7 bachelor degree in sport and exercise science or hold a current ESA accreditation as an exercise scientist and want to be further equipped to provide advanced health care for clients.

In the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology degree, you will gain the advanced knowledge and skills to assess your clients’ needs and formulate and deliver exercise programs targeted to meet those individual requirements. Within the 1.5 years of the degree, you will apply your theoretical knowledge to 360 hours of industry clinical experience through varied placement opportunities in rural, remote and regional locations, including the JCU Exercise Physiology Clinic.

Answer a growing need for clinical exercise physiologists in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, particularly in Northern Australia. In this clinical exercise physiology degree, you will learn about the importance of reconciliation, diversity and sustainability in promoting health and wellbeing in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. You will be equipped with skills relevant to communities with limited access to health care, preparing you to make a difference where it matters most. You’ll understand how best to support members of rural, remote and Indigenous communities in developing better quality of life through improving their health.

The core subjects included in JCU’s Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology cover topics such as professional communication and practice, management of cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions, management of metabolic conditions, and management of mental health and fatigue disorders. You will have the opportunity to sharpen your investigative skills as well as contribute to your field as you plan and execute a substantial piece of research addressing a complex theoretical or professional practice issue.

As part of your studies, you will undertake two professional placements. You will experience the various roles of clinical exercise physiologists in diverse work environments. As you work in real-world clinical settings, you’ll gain experience in tasks related to clinical exercise physiology and work alongside health professionals who will guide your hands-on learning. Each placement will increase your professional development, and the network connections you make may have the potential to lead to future employment or engagement opportunities.

JCU Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology graduates are highly sought-after and make a difference from day one. Upon completion of this clinical exercise physiology degree, you will be prepared to assess your clients need and expertly communicate with them about developing treatment plans that will improve their quality of life. You will have the professional experience and knowledge necessary to work together with clients, health professionals and other stakeholders alike in inter-professional settings.

Enter your field ready to engage in clinical exercise physiology practice including assessment of functional capacity, design of safe and sustainable exercise interventions, and the implementation of collaborative health plans.

View the handbook for more information.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Career Opportunities

JCU Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology graduates are successful, highly-skilled health professionals who make a difference in regional, rural and remote communities in North Queensland and around Australia.

Graduates work in private and public hospitals, within multidisciplinary medical centres, fitness centres, aged-care facilities, workplace health and rehabilitation and private practice.

You could find employment as a clinical exercise physiologist.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024.
Course code	118804
Course type	Master (Coursework) (AQF Level 9)
Professional accreditation status	This course holds provisional accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Students completing a course of study that is awarded provisional accreditation are eligible to obtain accreditation credentialing with Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Currently seeking full Exercise and Sports Science Australia accreditation
Owner	Academy
College	Healthcare Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	Completion of an ESSA-accredited AQF level 7 bachelor of sport and exercise science program or approved ESSA Graduate Entry Assessment or hold current ESSA accreditation as an exercise scientist. Entry requirements for this course are consistent with the Pathways to Qualifications in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF level 9) Guidelines for Masters degrees.
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3b – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Additional selection requirements	Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Post admission requirements	This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children Card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	36 credit points as per course structure
Course learning outcomes	On successful completion of the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, graduates will be able to: Adapt and apply advanced and contemporary knowledge, skills, and technical competencies in clinical exercise physiology practice including assessment of exercise and functional capacity, design of safe and sustainable exercise interventions, and the implementation and evaluation of collaborative health interventions including models of behaviour change, relevant to key pathological domains Apply mastery knowledge and skills in research principles, methods and ethics to plan and execute a substantial piece of research that addresses a complex theoretical or professional practice issue in clinical exercise physiology or allied health Expertly communicate with client, health professionals and other stakeholders Critically review, analyse, synthesise and apply evidence, clinical reasoning and decision making to design, implement and evaluate client-centred clinical exercise physiology practice that is safe, ethical, legal, and culturally sensitive; across a range of complex social, personal, economic and environmental contexts Operate professionally in autonomous, collaborative, and inter- professional situations, in accordance with legal, ethical, and organisational guidelines Critically appraise one’s own knowledge, skills and attributes in order to demonstrate critical reflection in practice, and to design and implement ongoing professional and personal development as a commitment to lifelong learning.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements	Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Year 1

Teaching period 1

SP5200:03 Professional Communication and Practice for Clinical Exercise Physiologists

SP5201:03 Clinical Exercise Physiology Management of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Conditions

SP5202:03 Clinical Exercise Physiology Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions

SP5203:03 Clinical Exercise Physiology Management of Metabolic Conditions and Kidney Disease

Teaching period 2

SP5204:03 Clinical Exercise Physiology Management of Neurological Conditions and Cancer

SP5205:03 Clinical Exercise Physiology Management of Mental Health and Fatigue Disorders

SP5206:06 Clinical Exercise Physiology Research and Practice

Year 2

Teaching period 1

SP5207:06 Clinical Exercise Physiology Placement 1

SP5208:06 Clinical Exercise Physiology Placement 2

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Townsville	SP5201, SP5202, SP5203, SP5204 and SP5206 require limited face-to-face attendance at the JCU Townsville campus

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	4 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Special assessment requirements	At the discretion of the College Dean, students may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure that they have an acceptable level of English language proficiency, including at least at the level required to be admitted to the course, to safely participate in professional experience placements. Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy
Professional accreditation requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds seeking ESSA accreditation must show English language competence. This can be demonstrated by completion of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or equivalent at a level of 7 overall, for each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Refer to Exercise and Sport Science Australia English Language Policy.
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure
Maximum allowed	12 credit points except where a student transfers from one JCU award to another, then credit may be granted for more than two-thirds of the new award, where there is subject equivalence between the awards
Currency	Credit will be granted only for subjects completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 14 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Award title	MASTER OF CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
Approved abbreviation	MClinExPhysiol
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD37,960.00

Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

Applicants who require an Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) approved Graduate Entry Assessment can find more information here.

Student

Jye Spriggs

Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

I chose JCU as I knew it was a good university with plenty of support available. With the course being predominantly online, it offered me the flexibility to access all lecture and workshop content when it suited me. It also only takes 18 months to get your qualification, with lots of practical experience throughout.
Student

Samantha Beringen

Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

The staff at JCU have been extremely committed to our learning and always go the extra mile to make students feel supported. The residential component of the degree gives us invaluable practical experience in a clinical settings that will prepare us for the workforce in the future.
Lecturer

Lisa Simmons

Sport and Exercise Science

JCU’s Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology provides students with hands-on experience in contemporary clinical settings. Students get to work with expert practitioners who provide guidance and support to optimise academic success.
Lecturer

Azra Rantucci

Sports and Exercise Science

JCU has a fully staffed and operating clinic, allowing each student to actively apply their knowledge and skills in real-life environments with real clients. Collectively, our staff have extensive knowledge to draw from and are enthusiastic to share their expertise with future JCU Master of Exercise Physiology students