The Master of Exercise Physiology is afull time 72-unit coursework program which is offered  by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.  It requires two years of full time on-campus and online (flexible) study and requires students to successfully complete 360 hours of organised clinical placement.

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) provides a unique and specialised role by offering exercise interventions as part of the primary and secondary prevention as part of treatment of chronic and other health conditions. This course will enable students to apply for membership with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Admission requirements

Applicants will have normally completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science, Bachelor of Sport Science or equivalent training from an approved tertiary institution and be a current member or eligible for membership with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) as an ‘Exercise Scientist’. Graduates of undergraduate programs in science and/or health science will be required to complete appropriate bridging studies before entry. International students are not able to apply for this program.

This is a professional entry-level course covering essential material for registration as an AEP with ESSA; credit will not normally be awarded for prior learning unless applicants are transferring from other postgraduate entry-level Exercise Physiology courses.

Course aims

The overall aim of the program is to prepare students for professional practice as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). Graduates will be able to contribute to interdisciplinary health interventions using exercise as part of the management strategy of disease, dysfunction and injury across a range of public and private settings and work within an interdisciplinary environment including rural and remote areas.

This course will enable students to apply for membership with Exercise and Sports Science
Australia (ESSA) as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Learning outcomes 

At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • apply the principles of exercise assessment and prescription to a variety of prevalent and priority metabolic, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health conditions;
  • design and implement individualised and client-centred exercise interventions to enhance a person's functional capacity and health status;
  • use appropriate behaviour change strategies to promote health and compliance of physical activity;
  • demonstrate an awareness of medical and other allied health interventions showing appropriate exercise approaches and interdisciplinary scope of practice;
  • demonstrate skills to assess, monitor and modify exercise interventions within hospitals, return to work and aged care populations in an individualised and client-centred approach;
  • demonstrate research skills and a thorough understanding of the scientific basis for exercise for a given health condition;
  • demonstrate an understanding of applying evidence to exercise physiology practice in a number of core health areas; and
  • demonstrate well developed cognitive and creative skills to teach, coach and motivate clients to facilitate self-management of exercise and healthy lifestyle, using models of behaviour change, scientific evidence and clinical reasoning while accounting for socioeconomic and individual factors

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Exercise Physiology, a student must complete 72 units of study awarded with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic according to the following program of study.

Students who commence the Master of Exercise Physiology but elect not to complete that degree may be eligible to be awarded with the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies, subject to passing 36 units of study from the core topics in the Master of Exercise Physiology or a minimum of 27 units of study from core topics in the Master of Exercise Physiology and a maximum of 9 units of study from elective topics from other relevant graduate awards in the university.

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board:

  • the course must be completed within four consecutive years, or where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board;
  • a student may not proceed to a higher year unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year’s topics.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within four consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University’s Policy on Student Progress

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

MMEDX937 Pathophysiology for Medical Science (4.5 units)
EXSC8XXX Exercise Physiology Practice (4.5 units)
MMEDX934 Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (4.5 units)
EXSC8XXX Clinical Exercise Assessment and Prescription (4.5 units)
MHSC8111 Managing Chronic Conditions -Self-Management Support Approaches (4.5 units)
EXSC8XXX Chronic Disease Management/Private Practice (Practicum 1) (4.5 units)
EXSC8XXX Advanced Exercise Prescription and Musculoskeletal Injury Management (4.5 units)
REHB9034 Rehabilitation Research Methods (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

EXSC9XXX Exercise and Musculoskeletal Conditions (Practicum 2) (9 units)
REHB9101 Clinical Rehabilitation Research Project Design (4.5 units)
EXSC9XXX Exercise for Metabolic and Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum 3) (9 units)
EXSC9XXX Exercise Management in Priority Conditions (Practicum 4) (4.5 units)
REHB9103 Advanced Rehabilitation Project Implementation and Evaluation (9 units)