DR-CLPHYT v.1 Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy
PhD(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 096302C
Registered full-time Duration:
4 Years
Course Overview (Generic)
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.
While the traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program caters well for physiotherapists intending to focus or realign their careers towards researching, not all physiotherapists seeking doctoral level studies intend to become researchers. Some intend to become leaders in highly advanced areas of clinical practice. Others already occupying positions of leadership positions in a variety of organisations may need to upgrade their qualifications. These potential students seek doctoral level study which will simultaneously provide them with advanced in-depth knowledge related to their profession and involvement in research work which is closely related to the improvement of their professional practice. The aims and objectives of the Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy (DClinPhysio) are to provide high-level clinical practice, inquiry and research skills for senior health professionals, enabling them to evaluate, commission, design, implement and administer research into different aspects of health.and to understand the policy implications of such research. The primary aim is to support the emergence of clinical expertise based on a solid foundation of evidence-based practice, 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 advanced clinical practitioners.
Course Overview Note
Curtin's Higher Degree by Research 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 (Generic) Entry and Completion Details
Applicants for a Doctoral Degree 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/postgraduate-research/future-research-students/entry-requirements/. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
For admission as a candidate in this doctoral program an applicant needs to ensure that at least ONE of the following eligibility criteria has been met: 1. graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of Master of Clinical Physiotherapy within the University; 2. graduated with or qualified for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Physiotherapy or its equivalent plus no less than two years relevant advanced clinical experience 3. 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 limited registration (postgraduate training) as a physiotherapist in Australia.
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 athttp://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm
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 (postgraduate training) with the Physiotherapy Registration Board of Australia is a prerequisite for acceptance into the course.
Course Organisation (Generic)
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.
It is a requirement that at least two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and the remainder by coursework. There are three successive phases in this program: (i) four approved doctoral level coursework units are undertaken, (including a compulsory research proposal preparation unit in research methods and proposal writing culminating in the presentation and defence of a research proposal); and (ii) a dissertation or series of scholarly papers that report supervised research in an applied area of education or training. Before being permitted to begin their research component students need to complete candidacy requirements as specified in Curtin Higher Degree regulations.
Course (Generic) Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply highly advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge to the delivery of physiotherapy services in diverse and changing settings
2. critically analyse information to plan, implement and evaluate highly advanced physiotherapy practice
3. locate, extract and critically appraise evidence and information at a highly advanced 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 highly advanced professional and personal development
7. understand and apply ways of practicing highly advanced 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 highly advanced professional skills in an ethical manner across a range of professional settings
Duration and Availability
This Doctoral Degree by Research, taught in English, normally takes four years full-time study or equivalent part-time study and includes a coursework component. Admission requirements and course rules are available on the University website http://curtin.edu.au
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Bentley Campus | Research Term 1 | Y | ||||
| 2020 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2020 | Bentley Campus | Research Term 2 | Y | ||||
| 2021 | Bentley Campus | Research Term 1 | Y | ||||
| 2021 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2021 | Bentley Campus | Research Term 2 | 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 50.0 | ||||
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 | |||||
| PHTY7013 | v.2 | Advanced Physiotherapy Professional Practice | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY7000 | v.1 | Doctoral Thesis - Physiotherapy | |||
| PHTY7012 | v.1 | Specialised Physiotherapy Clinics | 8.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
| GMED6006 | v.1 | Advanced Management of Pain Disorders | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY7008 | v.2 | Musculoskeletal Science Advanced Competencies 2 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY6006 | v.1 | Human Continence | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY7011 | v.1 | Sports Physiotherapy Professional Practice | 10.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY7009 | v.1 | Sports Rehabilitation Science | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY6005 | v.1 | Women Through Life Stages | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY7019 | v.1 | Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Clinics 2 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHTY7021 | v.1 | Continence and Women's Health Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics 2 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHRM5005 | v.1 | Pharmacology and Therapeutics | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
Further Information
If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details:http://students.curtin.edu.au/contact_offices.cfmFor Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email:international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331 For the Graduate Research School, please click here for further details:http://research.curtin.edu.au/postgraduate-research/about/contact-us/
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 a normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Disclaimer
Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change.
In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or 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.
This material does not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.
Curtin accepts no responsibility for and makes no representations, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability in any respect of any material in this publication.
Except to the extent mandated otherwise by legislation, Curtin University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any reliance which may be placed on this material by any person.
Curtin will not be liable to you or to any other person for any loss or damage (including direct, consequential or economic loss or damage) however caused and whether by negligence or otherwise which may result directly or indirectly from the use of this publication.
International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. As some information contained in this publication may not be applicable to international students, refer to international.curtin.edu.au for further information. Australian citizens, permanent residents and international students studying outside Australia may have the choice of full-time, part-time and external study, depending on course availability and in-country requirements.
