Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation at Victoria University

Overview

Become an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP) with a Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation at Victoria University.

You'll learn to assess and prescribe exercise and physical activity for people with chronic conditions or complex care needs. This course will prepare you to work in the community and in clinical settings with people who have:

• musculoskeletal injuries
• neurological conditions
• metabolic conditions
• cardiovascular conditions
• various comorbidities.

Our program follows a strong evidence-based teaching approach to the scope of practice of clinical exercise physiology. To consolidate your theoretical learning, you will gain significant practical experience in clinical placements.

You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience to work as an exercise physiologist.

There is also an optional research component embedded in this course that will prepare you academically for a PhD pathway.

This course is accredited with Exercise and Sports Science Australia 

Work placements

Everything you learn with VU has direct links to the real world. We place a strong emphasis on clinical and practical learning.

A key part of your studies will be embarking on a range of external clinical practicums, with additional staff mentoring. You'll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through exercise science and rehabilitation placements that can lead directly to future employment.

A leading sport & exercise university

Victoria University has an outstanding reputation in sport, exercise science and health and fitness.

We have gained this name through our extensive offering of sport-related courses and our world-class facilities. Also unique to VU is our significant research, leading academic staff and our broad partnerships.

We have more sports industry partners than any other university. Our partners include:

• Western Centre for Health, Research and Education at Sunshine Hospital
• Victoria University Inter-professional Clinic
• Western Bulldogs Football Club
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Netball Australia
• Victorian Racing Club
• Australian Sports Commission
• Real Madrid Football Club Foundation
• Beijing and German Sports Universities
• Sport Australia Hall of Fame
• National Heart Foundation
• VicHealth
• National Ageing Research Institute
• Football Federation Victoria
• Tennis Australia
• Western Health
• Australian Football League (AFL)
• many public and private healthcare providers.

VU has the largest number of students enrolled in sport courses, and we have the most graduates working in the sport industry.

Careers in exercise science

Exercise physiology is a growing allied health profession (Exercise & Sports Science Australia(external link)). A postgraduate qualification in clinical exercise science from Victoria University will put you at the forefront of helping those with chronic conditions or complex care needs. You’ll be eligible for accreditation as an exercise physiologist, which means you'll be able to deliver Medicare-compensable exercise services.

You could find work in a range of settings including:

• hospitals
• community health centres
• fitness centres
• sporting academies
• sports clinics
• rehabilitation clinics
• case management through compensable schemes such as WorkSafe.

You could also run your own private practice. Your practical training with VU will prepare you to work in a variety of specific areas, such as:

• women’s health
• aged care
• occupational health and safety.

Salary

The average annual salary for an exercise physiologist in Australia is $52,987