Master of Physiotherapy (Pelvic Health) (MC-PHTYPH)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2025 Delivered: Mixed Attendance Mode (Parkville)
About this course
Contact
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm.
Coordinator
Elise Fraser
Overview
Award title | Master of Physiotherapy (Pelvic Health) |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2025 — Parkville |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 150 credit points |
Duration | 18 months full-time or 36 months part-time |
The Master of Physiotherapy (Pelvic Health) is designed to produce graduates with extended knowledge and skills for professional practice in the area of women’s, men’s and pelvic health, an area of specialisation in the physiotherapy profession. The course is designed for physiotherapists throughout career stages who wish to further their careers within this specialty area of physiotherapy practice. The curriculum includes community health through understanding the assessment and treatment of conditions across the lifespan, inclusive of paediatrics, adolescent, young and older adults. The program challenges and extends clinicians to anticipate, enhance and advance best practice.
The course is a blended program that combines intensive face to face subjects and fully online subjects. The curriculum is designed for practicing clinicians, is internationally relevant, and can be studied part or full time. Graduate attributes are aligned with those of The Melbourne Graduate; and is further distinguished by established discipline-specific professional competencies and standards frameworks in the domain of women’s, men’s and pelvic health.
The online curriculum is designed around three elements which will be covered explicitly within learning outcomes in each subject throughout the program: 1) Theory and Practice, 2) Evidence and Innovation and 3) Clinical Practice in Context.
Linking theory, research and practice is emphasised, utilising scientific evidence to underpin clinical practice and decisions. The core subjects explore professional and clinical content in diverse contexts including anatomy, physiology, diagnosis & management and complex case management. These subjects all require analysis, synthesis and creative problem solving within a range of practice contexts; extended knowledge and understanding; research principles and new innovations that are necessary to undertake clinical practice in different environments. This course scaffolds students to strategically align their learning with established competencies to support their progress to women’s, men’s and pelvic health professional physiotherapy titling and to design their career for the local as well as international context.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must:
- be qualified to practice as physiotherapists and
- have at least 2 years of relevant post-entry to practice professional experience in the area of women’s, men’s and pelvic health.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applicants, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- professional work experience.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to providing support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
Women’s Men’s and Pelvic Health Theory & Practice
- Critically appraise personal skillset and experience relative to relevant published standards and career goals
- Critically discuss principles and frameworks of professional and ethical practice in the Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy environment; integrating interdisciplinary practice models within own professional and ethical practice frameworks
- Critically evaluate and synthesise information from a complex body of knowledge in the provision of advice, clinical interventions and management to patients of all ages and relevant conditions to Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy
- Plan and manage independent learning and develop sustainable strategies for lifelong learning and reflective practice
- Critically integrate evidence in the provision of advice and promotion of health and well-being in diverse patient populations
- Critically utilise technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to advancement of practice in Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy
Clinical Practice in Context
- Critically evaluate the scope of practice and expertise of other relevant professionals, leading to appropriate referral, communication of information and a high standard of professional and ethical practice
- Design and implement advanced clinical management for patients with conditions relevant to Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy to restore optimal function, and enhance quality of life
- Research and organise evidence-based theory in clinical case management
- Research and organise evidence-based theory in clinical case management
- Integrate theory, evidence and clinical reasoning in astute clinical decision making in patients of all ages and conditions related to Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health
- Systemically advance the teaching, research, OR practice of a given scholarly or academic field of study through rigorous inquiry or project application
- Contribute to Leadership in Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy; including contribution to the learning of others and in the role of advisor; interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Evidence and Innovation
- Explain the application of research and evidence to clinical practice in the field of Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy
- Analyse, synthesise and evaluate literature to address questions relevant to the management of all patients, emphasising evidence-based practice and critical discussion for the potential of incorporating new developments into practice
- Critically evaluate research methodology and evidence quality in the context of Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy; including critically analyse practice and research evidence; identification of questions for further investigation; synthesis of current evidence for best practice in service delivery and resource management
Generic skills
- Construct, manage and develop a career plan in accordance with standards of practice, professional titling, identified opportunities and career goals
- Apply advanced knowledge of biological, social and medical sciences relevant to Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy to best-practice clinical management
- Show advanced understanding, application and monitoring of the processes of clinical reasoning and the need to develop strategies of expert reasoning
- Critically evaluate clinical practice in relation to new information, promoting the appropriate application of new knowledge and innovations in multidisciplinary practice and decision-making processes
- Communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary clinical team and all involved parties in case management
- Provide evidence-based advice and education to patients and other professionals regarding the optimal treatment for specific conditions, and promote health
Graduate attributes
Graduate attributes from this Masters program are aligned with those of The Melbourne Graduate; and further distinguished by professional Masters level competency and standards frameworks in the domain of Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health.
The Melbourne Graduate
The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares well-rounded graduates who are academically outstanding, practically grounded and socially responsible. Melbourne's graduates are distinguished by their broad outlook and openness to different perspectives. Melbourne's degrees develop research and reasoning skills that equip graduates to be influential citizens with high leadership potential. The University's graduates engage with national and global issues and are attuned to social and cultural diversity. They have high levels of self-awareness and value their personal integrity and wellbeing.
- Academic distinction: This degree provides graduates with in-depth knowledge and skills in examining interdisciplinary issues within Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health physiotherapy. Graduates are critical, creative thinkers with strong clinical reasoning skills. They can apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex patient management in a range of contexts and are effective oral and written communicators. The Melbourne educational experience prepares graduates to be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders. Melbourne graduates bring research and inquiry skills to challenges in their workplaces, communities and specific professional practice domains. They are adept lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints.
- Active citizenship: Melbourne graduates have engaged with contemporary local, national and global issues, with a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment. They have developed an appreciation of social and cultural diversity that influences Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health clinical practice and can work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds; equipping them to be active, well-informed citizens and have the potential to be leaders in their professions and communities. Through advocacy and innovation they are able to lead change for a sustainable future in health and their profession.
- Integrity and self-awareness: Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy (Pelvic Health) are motivated, self-directed and well-organised for life-long learning. They are also highly self-aware and reflective practitioners, with skills in self-assessment. They place great importance on their personal and professional integrity and are confident of their knowledge, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their role and responsibilities within an interdisciplinary professional network.
Course structure
150 credit point program:
- Six compulsory subjects (75 credit points)
- Four elective subjects (50 credit points)
- One capstone subject (25 credit points)
Students are required to complete all compulsory subjects prior to completing their capstone subject.
Advanced standing of up to 50% of the Masters in Physiotherapy will be given for students who have previously completed core subjects.
Compulsory subjects
Students complete the following six subjects (75 credit points):
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHTY90002 | The Pelvic Floor:Function&Dysfunction | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHTY90003 | Advanced Practice in Pelvic Floor Physio | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHTY90004 | Exercise for Women | October (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHTY90097 | Musculoskeletal Disorders in Women | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
REHB90003 | Evaluation of Rehabilitation Practice | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
REHB90010 | Research and Evidence in Practice |
Term 2 (Online)
Term 4 (Online)
|
12.5 |
Capstone
Students choose one of the two following capstone subjects (25 credit points):
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
REHB90013 | Research Project |
Semester 1 (Extended) (Online)
Semester 2 (Extended) (Online)
|
25 |
REHB90012 | Rehabilitation Professional Project |
Semester 1 (Extended) (Online)
Semester 2 (Extended) (Online)
|
25 |
Elective subjects
Students select four of the following electives (50 credit points):
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
HLTH90001 | Health Behaviour Change | Term 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
PHTY90114 | Physiotherapy Advanced Clinical Practice | Semester 1 (Extended) (Online) |
12.5 |
REHB90006 | Rehabilitation for Women's Health | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
REHB90007 | Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation |
Term 2 (Online)
Term 4 (Online)
|
12.5 |
REHB90001 | Foundations of Rehabilitation | Term 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
REHB90002 | Rehabilitation Activity and Exercise | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
REHB90005 | Rehabilitation for Paediatrics | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
REHB90009 | Innovation and Emerging Technologies | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
HLTH90017 | Sports Nutrition | Term 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
PHRM90022 | Sports Pharmacotherapeutics | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
RADI90024 | Neuromusculoskeletal Radiology | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
Last updated: 27 February 2025