Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

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Overview

La Trobe’s Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is a program designed for practising physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Through a blend of online and set residential block learning, you’ll learn from leading industry clinical leaders, academic staff and colleagues at one of … For more content click the Read more button below. You will also work under the supervision of recognised sports and exercise physiotherapists to gain invaluable clinical practice experience in hospital outpatient departments and private physiotherapy clinics. This course is delivered part time over two to five years. You'll learn: Fundamentals of musculoskeletal physiotherapyLearn the knowledge and skills required to apply evidence-based practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Clinical sciencesDevelop your understanding of clinical sciences such as pain sciences and human tissue sciences. This is integral to the development of scientifically designed rehabilitation programs. Advanced physiotherapy and clinical skillsOptimise the effectiveness of client centred management through your mastery of physiotherapy, clinical, neuro-musculoskeletal examination and management skills. Clinical reasoning through a case-based paradigmHone your clinical reasoning skills through the use of case scenarios. Learn applied clinical anatomy, tissue pathology, patient presentations, and assessment and treatment information.

La Trobe’s Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is a program designed for practising physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Through a blend of online and set residential block learning, you’ll learn from leading industry clinical leaders, academic staff and colleagues at one of Australia’s longest established physiotherapy schools.

You will also work under the supervision of recognised sports and exercise physiotherapists to gain invaluable clinical practice experience in hospital outpatient departments and private physiotherapy clinics.

This course is delivered part time over two to five years.

You'll learn:

Fundamentals of musculoskeletal physiotherapy
Learn the knowledge and skills required to apply evidence-based practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Clinical sciences
Develop your understanding of clinical sciences such as pain sciences and human tissue sciences. This is integral to the development of scientifically designed rehabilitation programs.

Advanced physiotherapy and clinical skills
Optimise the effectiveness of client centred management through your mastery of physiotherapy, clinical, neuro-musculoskeletal examination and management skills.

Clinical reasoning through a case-based paradigm
Hone your clinical reasoning skills through the use of case scenarios. Learn applied clinical anatomy, tissue pathology, patient presentations, and assessment and treatment information.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Course coordinator

Matthew King

Location(s)

Melbourne (Bundoora)

Course instance contact

Matthew King

Course duration (full time)

N/A

Course duration (part time)

2 years

Study level

Postgraduate

AQF level

Level 9 - Masters Degree

Available only as an exit award

Study options

Domestic

Completion requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, students must complete 120 credit pointsconsisting of: 120 core credit-points

Course structure
120 credit points

Level one60 credit points

Core60 credit points

Level two60 credit points

Course intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Apply expert knowledge in both the biomedical and clinical sciences and be able to synthesise and integrate this with specialised clinical skills, through the process of clinical reasoning, to promote health and deliver culturally responsive, advanced client-centred management within the musculoskeletal clinical setting.

Critically interpret clinical information and clinical research to make expert judgement and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences to optimise decision-making, client management and promote effective health care.

Formulate expert judgement to inform the decision-making processes and the clinical management of the client within the multidisciplinary musculoskeletal / orthopaedic care team to optimise outcomes and the safe return to patient-specific activities.

Demonstrate autonomy, adaptability and responsiveness, and the use of specialised musculoskeletal knowledge and skills in a meaningful and insightful way to exhibit key professional skills of practitioner, administrator, scholar, and or teacher.

Apply advanced communication and technical skills to justify methodologies and approaches to professional decisions that influence communities, client populations, governing bodies and other agencies or organisations to improve health and health outcomes.

Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and apply established and emerging theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice in order to maintain and enhance musculoskeletal practice.

Apply advanced theoretical knowledge and mastery of musculoskeletal clinical skills to demonstrate advanced professional practice that is committed to safe ethical practice, high standards of personal behaviour, accountability, and culturally responsive patient-centred care.

Apply technical research skills to critically evaluate evidence, understand methodologies and develop robust conclusions to inform the design and implementation of research that contributes to evidence informed musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.

Course features

Work based learning (placement) requirements

Compulsory placements (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will participate in one or more supervised Work Based Learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of our local, interstate or international industry partners or agencies. WBL placements will generally be arranged by the College based Placements Operation Team or Experiential Learning Team at La Trobe University. The number of hours undertaken can vary considerably, depending on the requirements of the course. Students may incur additional costs and it may be necessary to travel or relocate to complete a specific placement. Please refer to the individual subject entries for more information.

Work integrated learning opportunities
A course that integrates theory with the practice of work.

Industry presentations, Industry informed curriculum, Industry-informed projects

Career outcomes

After graduation, you could work across a range of professional settings including private practice and advanced scope clinics.

Possible roles include:

Musculoskeletal physiotherapist
- Assess, diagnose, prevent, manage and treat a range of musculoskeletal injuries relating to the joints, muscles, bones and nerves.
- Assess, diagnose, prevent, manage and treat individuals with a range of conditions through the use of exercise-based rehabilitation.

Professional recognition

The Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is recognised by International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated (IFOMPT) and is an IFOMPT Accredited Educational Program. Graduates of The Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy may apply for titled membership within the Australian College of Physiotherapists through the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and IFOMPT. Membership and titling may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Internal course relationships

Nested

Graduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Additional costs

Mask fit testing

Immunisations - Standard

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) worker screening check - May be required

WWCC

Police record check

Clinical placements - Course specific (accommodation and travel costs)

First Aid and/or CPR

Applicants will be required to hold a First Aid and/or CPR certification. The CPR component must be renewed annually. Students will need to arrange their own First Aid/CPR certificate. Information, costs and registration for training is available through La Trobe University's preferred provider at First Aid Training.
Applicants may choose to arrange First Aid/CPR training with another registered provider.

Handbook