314446 v.1 Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy
DClinPhysio(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 077743B
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas:
4 Years
Course Overview
Doctoral degrees prepares students to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to AQF level 10 qualifications.
This coursework doctorate has been developed to provide graduates with the opportunity to continue their professional development as a lifelong learner. It provides advanced theoretical knowledge, contemporary clinical practice and clinical research opportunities. It aims to support professional development of physiotherapists from the point where they are new graduates commencing practice to the point where they become expert clinicians with specialist clinical and professional expertise. The primary aim is to support the emergence of clinical expertise based on a solid foundation of evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills. It is anticipated that graduates will be expert consumers of research and evaluators of available research evidence and that as they progress through the program they will become expert in conducting clinical research. Students will also have the opportunity to acquire expertise in areas related to clinical practice to further enhance their professional development to the stage where they may be recognised as clinical specialists.
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Doctoral students are expected to pay for thesis preparation and binding. Students are also expected to meet costs associated with successful completion of an approved course in first aid (CPR) and costs associated with meeting immunisation requirements.
Course Overview Note
Prospective applicants are advised that the program requires full participation in laboratory classes where practical skills and topics are presented. Essential learning strategies demand that all students disrobe appropriately to act as subjects for their peer group. Curtin's Higher Degree by Coursework Regulations for Doctoral Degrees will apply in respect of enrolment, candidacy, the program committee and the examination process. For further information please refer to the General Information section of the Handbook. A candidate shall comply with these regulations, except where the University Graduate Studies Committee is of the opinion that any candidate has been or may be adversely affected by a change in the regulations since initial enrolment. The candidate may be permitted to continue under such regulation or regulations in force at any time during the period of candidature and on conditions the Committee may prescribe.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards. Applicants require a master degree (research) or bachelor honours degree (first or second class) or a high standard in either a master degree (coursework) or bachelor degree with a graduate diploma (or equivalent). Alternative entry requirements may be considered, details are provided at http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides.
For admission as a candidate in this doctoral coursework program an applicant shall satisfy the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee (FGSC) that at least ONE of the following eligibility criteria has been met (all in Physiotherapy) 1. graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of Master within the University; 2. graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor with First Class Honours or Upper Second Class Honours within the University; 3. graduated with a degree of Bachelor and completed a Graduate Diploma or its equivalent with a course-weighted average of not less than seventy-five percent within the University and 4. obtained qualifications from another institution which are recognised by tertiary admission authorities in Australia and which are deemed to be equivalent to, or a satisfactory substitute for, any other qualifications prescribed in the points above. Applicants must either be registered physiotherapists, or eligible for temporary registration as a physiotherapist in Australia. Refer to University Higher Degree by Coursework Regulations for Doctoral Degrees.
Credit for Recognised Learning
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.
Course Entry/Completion Note
Students are required to be registered with the Physiotherapy Registration Board of Australia, which is part of AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), if they undertake a unit involving clinical practice within Australia. Students completing units within or outside of Western Australia must comply with legislative requirements and are responsible for any associated fees. Eligibility for limited registration with the Physiotherapy Registration Board of Australia is a prerequisite for acceptance into the course.
Course Organisation
Doctoral degrees require students to undertake a program of independent supervised study and produce significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis, dissertation, exegesis or equivalent for independent examination.
In preparation for the thesis, students must complete Physiotherapy Project 651 and Physiotherapy Project 652 or equivalent.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply specialised theoretical and clinical knowledge to the delivery of physiotherapy services in diverse and changing settings.
2. critically analyse information to plan, implement and evaluate specialised physiotherapy practice.
3. locate, extract and critically appraise evidence and information at a highly specialised level from a range of resources and apply to practice.
4. use appropriate written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills for effective interactions with individuals and groups.
5. use new and existing technologies relevant to specialised practice responsibly and effectively.
6. understand and implement varied learning strategies, and take responsibility for ongoing specialised professional and personal development.
7. understand and apply ways of practicing specialised physiotherapy internationally through continued development of cross-cultural awareness within a global health care perspective.
8. demonstrate respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity.
9. independently and collaboratively apply specialised professional skills in an ethical manner across a range of professional settings.
Duration and Availability
A domestic candidate may enrol in the coursework Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy either full-time or part-time. International students, due to legislative and visa restrictions, will be required to enrol on a full-time basis. Enrolment shall be continuous with the exception of periods of leave of absence as approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. The minimum course duration is two years full-time or equivalent part-time, and the maximum course duration is four years full-time or equivalent part-time. Only fee-paying places are available. The time limits shall be adjusted for approved periods of leave of absence.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| 307456 | v.1 | Evidence Based Practice 750 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311898 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Clinics 751 | 3.0 | 12.5 | |
| 311899 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Project 651 | 2.0 | 12.5 | |
| SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 50.0 | ||||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 311901 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Project 652 | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311900 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Clinics 752 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 50.0 | ||||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 312203 | v.2 | Physiotherapy Clinics 754 | 7.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312204 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Practice 754 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 50.0 | ||||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| 314443 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Dissertation Preparation 750 | 100.0 | ||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 3 Semester 1 | |||||
| 314444 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Dissertation 751 | 100.0 | ||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 3 Semester 2 | |||||
| 314445 | v.1 | Physiotherapy Dissertation 752 | 100.0 | ||
| 100.0 | |||||
| Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
| 13179 | v.3 | Research Project 650 | 8.0 | 50.0 | |
| 309437 | v.1 | Women Through Life Stages 650 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 309438 | v.1 | Human Continence 650 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 309439 | v.1 | Pelvic Floor Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 650 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311904 | v.1 | Anatomy and Pathology 651 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311908 | v.2 | Sexology Attitudes and Values 680 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312195 | v.1 | Pharmacology 522 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 301952 | v.4 | Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries 600 | 8.0 | 25.0 | |
| Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
| 308276 | v.2 | Musculoskeletal Science 751 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311902 | v.1 | Musculoskeletal Science 752 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312071 | v.1 | Sports Rehabilitation Science 752 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312072 | v.1 | Applied Clinical Sports Science 752 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312073 | v.1 | Sports Professional Practice 752 | 10.0 | 25.0 | |
* Option units in Year 2, Semester 1 must be of doctoral level (700), and selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator
Further Information
Further information concerning doctoral research can be obtained at http://www.curtin.edu.au/research/futurestudents/ and for research graduate studies http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides/ at Curtin University
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Handbook Disclaimer
The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.
For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.
