Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March

  • Duration

    1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Lismore

  • Placement

    Yes  Learn more

  • Course abbreviation

    MCEP

  • Course code

    1207247

  • Credit points

    144

  • Equivalent units

    12

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    February

  • Duration

    1.5 years full-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Lismore

  • Placement

    Yes  Learn more

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is a professional-entry-level degree that produces graduates who are eligible to register as an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP). You'll explore health and exercise from cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, metabolic, neuromuscular and psychological perspectives.

At Southern Cross University’s Health Clinic, you’ll receive theoretical grounding through professional placements that enable you to practise prescribing rehabilitation exercise for people with injury, disability or chronic disease.

Accredited exercise physiologists can provide exercise testing, preventative exercise programs and specialist rehabilitation exercise interventions for people living with chronic diseases, disability or injury. Career options exist in private practice, hospitals, aged care facilities and rehabilitation centres.

Clinical Exercise Physiology student Vincent Manze at the Exercise lab on Gold Coast campus

“My experience at Southern Cross has been really good. There has been a vast array of opportunities for me. I've seen the whole spectrum of what I'm capable of doing."

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

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 (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Demonstrate a level of critical analysis, problem solving and decision making appropriate for professional clinical exercise physiology practice

Exercise sound theoretical and practical judgement in dealing with the challenges and situations common to the work of a Clinical Exercise Physiologist

GA2: Creativity

Develop innovative and creative responses and solutions to health problems and chronic conditions encountered in clinical exercise physiology

Demonstrate flexibility in responding to exercise physiology challenges, developed using evidence-based practice

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical, legal and human right principles consistent with Clinical Exercise Physiology scope of practice and the ESSA Code of Ethics

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiological, physical, social, political and cultural influences on Clinical Exercise Physiology practice

Demonstrate competency to assess health and fitness status in population groups and develop management/treatment plans in consultation with clients and allied health professionals

Deliver safe, effective and evidence-based health care

GA5: Lifelong learning

Retrieve, critically evaluate and apply evidence in the performance of clinical exercise physiology and self-directed learning

Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes and plan ongoing personal and professional development

GA6: Communication and social skills

Communicate concisely and appropriately in oral and written form in an academic, professional and allied health context

Demonstrate professional behaviours

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an understanding of social and cultural issues relating to the practice of clinical exercise physiology

Apply cultural and indigenous awareness and sensitivity in dealings with clients and stakeholders in Clinical Exercise Physiology

The course includes a minimum of 360 hours of clinical placement for students to put theory into practice. A proportion of these clinical placement hours occurs in the on-campus Southern Cross University Health Clinics at Lismore and the Gold Coast, seeing a wide range of clients with chronic conditions, as well as at external locations such as hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, sporting clubs, private practices and aged care facilities. Inter-professional development is also encouraged, and exercise physiology students may gain experience working with other allied health students.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, it is important that you understand what these requirements are. 

Please note: External placements may continue after Session 3 if approved by the Course Coordinator.

The course provides an advanced understanding of the theoretical and practical components of clinical exercise physiology.

The course covers Exercise and Sport Science Australia target pathologies including cardiac disease, pulmonary conditions, cancer, metabolic diseases, renal disease, musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, neurological and immunological conditions and exercise for mental health. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge to specific population groups, including older people.

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1
LismoreTerm  1
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1$20,267 ($2,533 per unit)071787E
LismoreTerm  1$20,267 ($2,533 per unit)071787E

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.

Career Outcomes

Graduates are suited to employment in various settings including private practice with referrals from General Practitioners, rehabilitation centres, community health, multidisciplinary allied health clinics, workplace health centres, hospitals and aged care facilities.

Clinical exercise physiology is a relatively new allied health profession. Accredited exercise physiologists work in chronic disease prevention and management, and rehabilitation services (chronic disease and musculoskeletal rehabilitation) in rural and metropolitan areas.

Clinical exercise physiology is an allied health profession that is part of the Medicare, Department of Veterans' Affairs and private health insurance systems.

The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is accredited by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates will be eligible to apply for accreditation with ESSA as an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP).

Please note: In order to apply to be an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, ESSA’s requirements for English language must be met.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology will have:

  • successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree that is accredited with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) at the level of Exercise Science, with a GPA not less than 5.0 (a credit average) across the degree; or
  • met the requirements of ESSA’s Graduate Assessment for Postgraduate Study, with a GPA not less than 5.0 (a credit average) across the degree

Applicants with a GPA between 4.5 and 4.9 can be referred to the Faculty for interview.

In order to apply to be an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, ESSA’s requirements for English language must be met.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, students must complete the equivalent of 12 units (144 credit points), comprising all core units.

Other things to consider

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more

Going straight from school to a degree is one way to start uni, but it’s not the only way.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you just left school, Southern Cross University offer two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes
PSYC5001Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology

Not currently available

12
HLTH5002Exercise Physiology for Specific Populations

Not currently available

12
HLTH1003Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
REHB5002Metabolic Health

Not currently available

12
REHB5006Clinical Exercise Physiology Bridging Unit
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
REHB6001Advanced Professional Practice I
Dual Term1,2
24 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Dual Term1,2
Dual Term1,2
Lismore
Dual Term1,2
Dual Term1,2
Enrolment informationThis unit contains professional experience learning/laboratory activities that require students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the Professional Experience Learning and/or stipulated Laboratory Activity which may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements Please note: Full Covid-19 vaccination is a mandatory requirement associated with the placement element of this unit of study. This requirement has been stipulated by the placement providers. It is strongly recommended that only students who meet this requirement enrol in this unit.
HLTH3013Clinical Exercise Physiology for Oncology and Neurological Health
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisitesHLTH3009 - Pathophysiology for Clinical Exercise Physiology Must have completed or be currently enrolled in HLTH2005 - Introduction to Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice
Enrolment informationPlease note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
HLTH3010Clinical Exercise Physiology for Mental and Cardiorespiratory Health
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisitesHLTH3009 - Pathophysiology for Clinical Exercise Physiology AND HLTH2005 - Introduction to Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice
Enrolment informationPlease note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
REHB6002Advanced Professional Practice II
Tri Term2
24 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Tri Term2
Tri Term2
Lismore
Tri Term2
Tri Term2
Enrolment informationThis unit contains professional experience learning/ laboratory activities that require students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the Professional Experience Learning and/or stipulated Laboratory Activity which may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at https://www.scu.edu.au/health/health-placements/. Please note Full Covid-19 vaccination is a mandatory requirement associated with the placement element of this unit of study. This requirement has been stipulated by the placement providers. It is strongly recommended that only students who meet this requirement enrol in this unit.
HLTH3012Exercise for Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Health
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisitesHLTH2005 - Introduction to Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice AND HLTH3009 - Pathophysiology for Clinical Exercise Physiology
Enrolment informationPlease note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.


Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Core Units
HLTH1003Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport
PSYC5001Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology
HLTH5002Exercise Physiology for Specific Populations
REHB5002Metabolic Health
REHB5006Clinical Exercise Physiology Bridging Unit
REHB6001Advanced Professional Practice I Note 1
HLTH3013Clinical Exercise Physiology for Oncology and Neurological Health
HLTH3010Clinical Exercise Physiology for Mental and Cardiorespiratory Health
REHB6002Advanced Professional Practice II Note 1
HLTH3012Exercise for Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Health

Why Health at SCU

One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia

Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums

5-star health ratings

We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support

(GUG 2023)

Graduates in very high demand

Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

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  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Gold Coast

  • Term 1 March 2023

    This course is available to graduates of the Bachelor’s degree. Please apply in My Enrolment.

Lismore

  • Term 1 March 2023

    This course is available to graduates of the Bachelor’s degree. Please apply in My Enrolment.

Choose where you want to study

International students studying in Australia

Gold Coast

  • Term 1 February 2023

    This course is available to graduates of the Bachelor’s degree. Please apply in My Enrolment.

Lismore

  • Term 1 February 2023

    This course is available to graduates of the Bachelor’s degree. Please apply in My Enrolment.

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway