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The information below will be relevant from 09/03/2026.
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CM89 - Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

Gain a rewarding career in an allied health profession. The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology course offers a unique opportunity for graduates to apply for accreditation and work as an accredited exercise physiologist who prescribes exercise interventions as part of treatment for chronic and other health conditions.

The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is a one and a half year full-time coursework program. You will complete 78 credit points through mixed-mode study. You will also be required to successfully complete a minimum of 360 hours of clinical practicum. To gain entry you must have completed an Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) accredited Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science degree.

The Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology course will equip you with advanced knowledge and skills in professional communication and practice and in the management of chronic conditions. You will also undertake professional practicum where you will have real-world experience of the various roles of an accredited exercise physiologist alongside other health professionals.  

Career Information

Graduates will be able to apply for accreditation through Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) to be employed as an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP). Graduates can work in private and public hospitals, within multidisciplinary medical centres, fitness centres, aged-care facilities, workplace health and rehabilitation and private practice.

 

Course Details
Duration 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 78
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) MClinExPhys
AQF Level Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework)

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2026

Online
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International Availability

Term 1 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

To be considered for entry to this course, you must demonstrate the following: 

  • a completed CQUniversity Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences degree; or
  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree in Exercise and Sport Science, accredited by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA); or
  • a current Graduate Entry Assessment letter from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)*. 

* A Graduate Entry (GE) assessment letter from ESSA will confirm you meet the necessary requirements for accreditation. GE assessment letters are only valid for a 12-month period. 

Note: International qualifications do not meet ESSA requirements and cannot be accepted for entry into this course.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

You are required to provide documentation confirming completion within the last 5 years of:

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • a Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT overall score of at least 98 with no score less than 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking, or
  • a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall score of at least 65 with no score less than 65 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • an Occupational English Test with a minimum result of 'B' in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each application will be assessed individually.

 

Prerequisite Subjects
No information available at this time
Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation

  • Professional Practice: Core
    Exercise and Sport Science Australia

    This accreditation is for the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology course. The accreditation body, Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) will grant accreditation to graduates to work as accredited exercise physiologists only from accredited courses. 

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School Compulsory residential schools will be located at Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns campuses.
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Practicum/Work Placement

ESSC28009 - Students must complete a compulsory practicum experience with individuals and population groups with various conditions throughout all stages of their life under the supervision of a health professional. Placement hours will consist of a range of activities relevant to clinical exercise physiology and include exercise assessment, prescription, and delivery.
ESSC29006 - Students must complete a compulsory practicum experience with individuals and population groups with various conditions throughout all stages of their life under the supervision of a health professional. Placement hours will consist of a range of activities relevant to clinical exercise physiology and include exercise assessment, prescription, and delivery.
ESSC29009 - Students must complete a compulsory practicum experience with individuals and population groups with various conditions throughout all stages of their life under the supervision of a health professional. Placement hours will consist of a range of activities relevant to clinical exercise physiology and include exercise assessment, prescription, and delivery.

Predicted Enrolments

Year Number of Students
First Year 30
Second year 33
Third Year 35
Inherent Requirements
There are currently no inherent requirements associated with this course.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Evaluate the role of the accredited exercise physiologist in Australia's healthcare system and in the multidisciplinary care of people with or at risk of chronic or complex health conditions
  • 2. Critically evaluate the evidence base to systematically analyse and resolve complex problems inherent in the clinical exercise physiology practice domain using relevant knowledge, clinical reasoning and decision making to address dynamic challenges and changes within the field
  • 3. Safely screen, assess and evaluate for risks, capacity, and function, employing advanced judgment when applying nuanced risk management strategies within the context of clinical exercise physiology practice
  • 4. Expertly apply advanced knowledge and skills when prescribing, implementing, and critically evaluating the safety and efficacy of evidence-based movement, physical activity, and exercise-based interventions across the entire health spectrum to optimise function and enhance independence
  • 5. Employ highly developed communication skills, fostering collaborative and respectful interactions with clients and other health professionals to facilitate person-centred care when working autonomously, collaboratively or inter-professionally through sophisticated shared decision-making, guided by legal, ethical and organsational considerations
  • 6. Appraise established theories of behavioural change to create individualised treatment plans, proactively preventing and minimising impairments, limitations, and activity restrictions associated with a diverse range of chronic or complex health conditions.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.