SCU - Bachelor of Podiatry, Bachelor of Pedorthics

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Course summary

Enhance your career opportunities considerably with this accelerated double degree.

The Bachelor of Podiatry, Bachelor of Pedorthics equips you with the skills to become both a podiatrist and a pedorthist, extending your possibilities in the design and manufacture of footwear and orthotics to treat foot and lower limb conditions.

You will complete subjects from both disciplines that will encourage the development of a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge. These include extensive studies in anatomy with a focus on lower limbs and feet, psychology, orthoses, biomechanics, pharmacology, risk, clinical accountability and clinical reasoning.

High-tech laboratories and manufacturing facilities on campus provide contemporary learning environments, complemented by significant blocks of workplace experience.

Graduates have an array of career opportunities in both fields and in careers that combine both disciplines.

Domestic snapshot

Duration	Location	Session
5F/10P Completion in four years requires study in all three sessions.	Gold Coast	1, 2, 3

Duration

Location

Session

5F/10P

Completion in four years requires study in all three sessions.

Gold Coast

1, 2, 3

International snapshot

Duration	Location	Session
5F/10P Completion in four years requires study in all three sessions.	Gold Coast	1

Duration

Location

Session

5F/10P

Completion in four years requires study in all three sessions.

Gold Coast

Major areas of study

The Bachelor of Podiatry enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of podiatry, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. This includes broad subject areas including anatomy, patho-physiology, pharmacology, psychology and communication. As students move through the course, they study more specialised content including biomechanics, rehabilitation, dermatology, rheumatology and paediatrics.

In the Bachelor of Pedorthics, students are introduced to foot care as a requirement for living independently and being mobile. Studies include learning about health problems associated with feet and footwear design and production.

Clinical skills are gained through a gradual process of preclinical stimulation, internal University clinics and external clinical practice placements.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour	Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice.
Creativity	Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills. Demonstrate knowledge, skill and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice.
Ethical practice	Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice. Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice.
Knowledge of a discipline	Function in accordance with all relevant legislation, registration requirements, guidelines and standards affecting clinical/professional practice. Assess, plan, provide and evaluate safe and effective clinical practice with a range of client groups across the lifespan.
Lifelong learning	Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice.
Communication and social skills	Work collaboratively in a range of health care teams with an understanding of best practice and the evidence base that supports it. Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, significant others and professional colleagues in ways that are appropriate to the scholarly, professional and/or social setting.
Cultural competence	Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership. Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide).

Assessment methods

A variety of assessment methods is used in this course including multiple choice examinations, short answer examinations, essay examinations, case studies, tutorial and workshop presentations, debates, written assignments, simulations and clinical skills testing.

In the clinical settings, clinical e-portfolios, reflective exercises and clinical competency appraisal are required.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, simulations, clinical practice, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit. Students will be expected to undertake clinical placements external to the University campuses.

Career opportunities

Professional placement

Students complete approximately 2,000 hours of professional placement in various settings during the course.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain prerequisites prior to attending placement. Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Pedorthics is accredited by the Pedorthic Association of Australia. Suitably qualified members of the Association are registered with the Australian Pedorthists Registration Board and appear on the Board's website.

The Bachelor of Podiatry is accredited with the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council. Graduates can seek national registration as podiatry practitioners with the Podiatry Board of Australia.

Please note: In order to register to practise as a podiatrist, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency standards for English language must be met.

Related courses

Type

Detail

Course code

3207309

Course abbreviation

BPod,BPed

Credit points

480

Equivalent units

Duration

5 years full-time; 10 years part-time

Completion in four years requires study in all three sessions.

Availability details

Location	Session	UAC code	QTAC code
Gold Coast	1, 2, 3	335162	055661

ATAR/OP

65 / 15

Fees

Commonwealth supported

Type

Detail

Course code

3207309

Course abbreviation

BPod,BPed

Credit points

480

Equivalent units

Duration

5 years full-time; 10 years part-time

Completion in four years requires study in all three sessions.

Availability details

Location	Session	Annual Fees	CRICOS
Gold Coast	1	$27,600 ($3,450 per unit)	097466G
Notice Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Admission Requirements

Qualification equivalent to Australian Year 12 with the required entry grade. Refer to the Course Structure tab for specific admission requirements.

English language IELTS

Category	Score
Overall Score or equivalent	7.0
Reading	7.0
Writing	7.0
Listening	7.0
Speaking	7.0

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student's point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU Library provides a wide range of services that include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources.

The Student Learning Zone supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, assignment reviews and small group or one-on-one face-to-face, phone or Skype consultations with a Learning Coach during business hours 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the MySCU Hub 'Connect Now' button or on the Learning Zone. Students can also book appointments online in Career Hub.

Grammarly Premium is free to all Southern Cross University students. Grammarly is a great tool to help improve your writing in conjunction with the help of Learning Coaches at the Student Learning Zone.

Equipment and facilities

Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, teaching areas and teaching and learning resources including simulation equipment, clinical learning spaces within on-campus clinics, laboratories for anatomy and physiology, movement and biomechanics, orthoses and bracing, and a footwear and orthoses manufacturing facility suitable for footwear science.

Visit scu.edu.au/healthlabs

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have achieved:

satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s standards for English language must be met. See https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx for further information.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Podiatry, Bachelor of Pedorthics, students must complete 480 credit points, comprising:

all core units; and
one elective unit from University wide offerings.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing 192 credit points, comprising any 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing 96 credit points, comprising any 8 core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Progression

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.

Subsequent the above, students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Schedule of units

The specific units (subjects) students will study over the duration of this course, including any majors or specialisations, will be available early June. For any specific course enquiries please contact us.

This course is available to:

Australian/Domestic students

Where and when do you want to study?

Gold Coast

Session 1March 2021

Session 2July 2021

Session 3November 2021

International students studying in Australia

Notice

The information on this page may be subject to change over time. Please check this web page again before acting and see our disclaimer

From the 1st of June, 2017, the term 'Distance Education' has been replaced with 'Online'