Faculty of Health Science
School of Physiotherapy and
Exercise Science
Manipulative Therapy and Sports Physiotherapy Masters Courses – FAQ
What is the difference between the sports physiotherapy major and the manipulative therapy
major?
The units in the first semester are the same in both majors. You will study units in anatomy and
pathology, evidence-based practice, applied musculoskeletal science, physiotherapy clinics and
physiotherapy project work.
The units in the second semester are different for each major;

In the sports physiotherapy major you will develop advanced knowledge of sports
physiotherapy including inter-disciplinary management of the athlete, contemporary
therapeutic techniques related to sports rehabilitation, optimising sports performance,
clinical biomechanics of sports skills, and sports specific training programs.

In the manipulative therapy major you will enhance your knowledge, skill and clinical
competencies in musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice. You will develop advanced clinical
reasoning, communication, assessment and management skills for effective management
of musculoskeletal pain disorders.
How many years of clinical experience are required before I can commence the Master of
Clinical Physiotherapy?
A minimum of two years clinical experience as a physiotherapist is required prior to undertaking
postgraduate studies.
Can I study the Master of Clinical Physiotherapy as a part-time student?
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you can complete the course full-time in one
year or part-time in two or three years. International students studying in Australia on a student visa
can only study full-time. The only exception to this might be for previous graduates of the manipulative
or sports major who return to Curtin University to compete the other major. See below for tuition
pattern.
If you choose to complete the course part-time, there are a number of the first semester units
available online that can be completed externally. It is recommended that local students enrol as oncampus students so that they have the option of attending classes in person, even if they intend to
study most units externally.
Second semester sports physiotherapy major
The Sports Major units are not available externally
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
If I have completed one of these majors am I eligible to apply for the other major?
Yes. However, you will need to apply for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) for the first semester
units you have already completed.
How long will it take to complete one of these majors with CRL?
You will need to complete three units specific to the major you want to study across one or two years.
Manipulative therapy major:
You will be required to be on-site for all scheduled classes and clinical placements across the whole
of semester two. You will be required to complete the following three units:
 Management of Pain Disorders 652
 Musculoskeletal Science 752
 Physiotherapy Clinics 752.
Sports physiotherapy major:
 Applied Clinical Sports Science 752
 Sports Rehabilitation Science 752
For these two theory units you will be required to be on campus for two, two-week intensive teaching
blocks in late July (21/07/14 – 1/08/14) and mid November (10/11/14 – 21/11/14). Weekly lectures,
webinars and discussion boards will complement the intensive teaching blocks and these can be
accessed externally. You must be available to participate in the weekly webinar learning sessions
during second semester.

Sports Professional Practice 752
This practical unit will encompass two blocks of clinical practice and sports team involvement. These
will be undertaken between the intensive teaching blocks.
Where can I find information on the units that I need to complete and what they entail?
Information regarding the course structure is available from the Curtin University course handbook:
Manipulative therapy major:
http://handbook.curtin.edu.au/courses/31/319021.html
Sports physiotherapy major:
http://handbook.curtin.edu.au/courses/31/319023.html
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
How do I apply for credit for recognised learning (CRL)?
CRL will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you request recognition you will need to submit
the following documentation about the courses or units you have previously studied:
 Completed application for CRL
 Certified copies of academic transcripts for the completed units
 Copies of the unit outlines including unit learning outcomes/objectives for the unit(s) for which
credit is being sought (unless the units were completed as part of Curtin’s Master of Clinical
Physiotherapy)
Applicants who have completed the Manual Concepts 4-week Certificate of Orthopaedic Manual
Therapy are eligible to apply for CRL for Musculoskeletal Science 751.
CRL forms can be accessed via the following link:
Curtin student documents and forms
I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident; can I apply for a commonwealth-supported
place for my postgraduate studies?
No. Unfortunately, due to recent changes made to the tertiary education funding by the Federal
Government, commonwealth funding for postgraduate courses has been ceased. All Australian
residents are now classified as domestic full fee paying students (Fees at Curtin). However, all course
fees are fully tax-deductible and FEE-HELP is still available.
Tuition patterns for manipulative therapy major
Full-time and part-time enrolment options



Successful completion of course work units required to complete each Masters course = total
of 200 credit points (CP’s)
Each 25 credit point unit is equivalent to approximately 50 contact hours across 12 weeks of
teaching (not including independent and self-directed study)
Each 12.5 credit point unit is approximately equivalent to 30 contact hours across 12 weeks of
teaching (again not including independent and self-directed study)
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
One year full-time
Year
One
Semester 1
Advanced Evidence
Based Physiotherapy
Advanced
Musculoskeletal Science
Assessment
Advanced Anatomy and
Pathology
Advanced Physiotherapy
Clinics 1
Physiotherapy Project
Proposal
CP’s
25
25
12.5
Semester 2
Advanced Management of Pain
Disorders
Advanced Musculoskeletal
Science Management
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics
2
Physiotherapy Project Report
CP’s
25
25
25
25
12.5
25
100
100
Two years part-time
Year
One
Two
Semester 1
Advanced Evidence
Based Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy Project
Proposal
Advanced Anatomy and
Pathology
Advanced
Musculoskeletal Science
Assessment
Advanced Physiotherapy
Clinics 1
CP’s
Semester 2
Physiotherapy Project Report
25
12.5
CP’s
25
Advanced Management of Pain
Disorders
25
25
62.5
50
25
Advanced Musculoskeletal
Science Management
25
12.5
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics
2
25
37.5
50
4 of 7
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
Three years part-time
Year
One
Two
Semester 1
Advanced Evidence
Based Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy Project
Proposal
Advanced Anatomy and
Pathology
CP’s
Semester 2
Physiotherapy Project Report
25
25
12.5
37.5
25
25
Advanced Management of Pain
Disorders
25
Three Advanced
Musculoskeletal Science
Assessment
CP’s
25
12.5
Advanced Physiotherapy
Clinics 1
25
25
Advanced Musculoskeletal
Science Management
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics
2
37.5
25
25
50
Pre-requisite and concurrent pre-requisite units



Advanced Musculoskeletal Science Assessment is a pre-requisite for Advanced
Musculoskeletal Science Management
Advanced Musculoskeletal Science Assessment is a pre-requisite/concurrent pre-requisite for
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics 1
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics 1 is a pre-requisite/concurrent pre-requisite for Advanced
Physiotherapy Clinics 2
5 of 7
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
Tuition patterns for sports physiotherapy major
Full-time and part-time enrolment options:



Successful completion of course work units required to complete each Masters course = total
of 200 credit points (CP’s)
Each 25 credit point unit is equivalent to approximately 50 contact hours across 12 weeks of
teaching (not including independent and self-directed study)
Each 12.5 credit point unit is approximately equivalent to 30 contact hours across 12 weeks of
teaching (again not including independent and self-directed study)
One year full-time
Year Semester 1
One Advanced Evidence Based
Physiotherapy
Advanced Musculoskeletal
Science Assessment
Advanced Anatomy and
Pathology
Advanced Physiotherapy
Clinics 1
Physiotherapy Project
Proposal
CP’s
25
25
12.5
12.5
Semester 2
Physiotherapy Project
Report
Sports Rehabilitation
Science
Applied Clinical Sports
Science
Sports Professional
Practice
CP’s
25
25
25
25
25
100
100
Two years part-time
Year Semester 1
One Advanced Evidence Based
Physiotherapy
Advanced Anatomy and
Pathology
Physiotherapy Project
Proposal
Two
Advanced Musculoskeletal
Science Assessment
Advanced Physiotherapy
Clinics 1
CP’s
25
12.5
Semester 2
Physiotherapy Project
Report
Applied Clinical Sports
Science
25
62.5
25
12.5
37.5
CP’s
25
25
50
Sports Rehabilitation
Science
Sports Professional
Practice
50
50
50
6 of 7
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
Three years part-time
Year
Semester 1
One
Advanced Evidence Based
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy Project
Proposal
Two
Advanced Anatomy and
Pathology
CP’s
Semester 2
25
Physiotherapy Project
Report
12.5
37.5
25
25
12.5
37.5
25
25
Applied Clinical Sports
Science
25
Three Advanced Musculoskeletal
Science Assessment
Advanced Physiotherapy
Clinics 1
CP’
s
25
25
Sports Rehabilitation
Science
Sports Professional
Practice
25
25
50
Pre-requisite and concurrent pre-requisite units




Advanced Musculoskeletal Science Assessment is a pre-requisite/concurrent pre-requisite for
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinics 1
Advanced Musculoskeletal Science Assessment is a pre-requisite for Sports Rehabilitation
Science and Sports Professional Practice
Applied Clinical Sports Science is a pre-requisite for Sports Rehabilitation Science
Sports Rehabilitation Science is a pre-requisite/concurrent pre-requisite for Sports Professional
Practice
7 of 7
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)