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This Australian Physiotherapy Association accredited master’s degree is for qualified Physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. This is a critical specialisation within physiotherapy, as the skeleton provides a framework for the muscles and other soft tissues. Together, they support the body’s weight, maintain posture, and help a person to move freely.

You'll 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 or 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 assess and manage a wide range of patient problems within a biopsychosocial framework. With your master’s degree, you'll gain advanced biomedical and psychosocial knowledge, advanced physical and psychosocial examination skills, and advanced clinical reasoning.

You'll learn to communicate effectively with clients, community and industry partners to provide advanced physiotherapy management. This incorporates an appreciation of cultural diversity in promoting health and well-being in diverse clinical environments and among diverse populations – across both patients and peers.

Your study topics will cover:

allied health evidence translation
pain theory and management
advanced musculoskeletal examination and management
exercise and conditioning
advanced scope of practice.

Career outcomes

Your career

Contemporary healthcare and clinical practice require therapists’ reasoning and practice to be critical, reflective, patient-centred and evidence based.

As a musculoskeletal master’s graduate, you can advance 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.