悉尼大学

Make a real impact in healthcare and transform lives. The Master of Exercise Physiology produces graduates who possess the knowledge, competencies and clinical experience required for safe and effective clinical exercise practice. Graduates are eligible for accreditation as an exercise physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity account for 70 percent of illnesses experienced by Australians, and this is expected to increase to almost 80 percent by 2020. Led by experts in exercise physiology practice and research, our program aims to change this statistic by equipping you with the knowledge and skills to assess physical and functional capacity, identify risks and design targeted, functional and sustainable exercise programs.

Throughout this two-year degree, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of exercise physiology including metabolism and physiology, human motor learning and control, the principles of exercise programming, nutrition and pharmacology, and musculoskeletal principles of exercise. Integrated clinical practice instruction, practicums, and case studies will provide the advanced skills and experience essential for professional practice. As part of your degree you will complete over 500 hours of clinical training across both the public and private sectors, through which you will learn to apply your knowledge and work within a range of different clinical settings.

Future study options

Eligible graduates may consider an additional three years of study with us as a research candidate for the higher research degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The PhD is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake in-depth study in a specialised area under the supervision of an academic staff member with expertise in your field of research. The award of the degree in the health sciences will enhance your profile as a genuine researcher and expert in your chosen field, afford opportunities as a published researcher, and may lead to an academic appointment, or to a research appointment with a government or industrial research and development organisation.

Graduate opportunities

Once successfully accredited, exercise physiologists are eligible to receive a Medicare provider number to provide exercise services under Medicare. The Department of Veterans' Affairs, Work Cover and many health funds all cover the costs of treatment through an exercise physiologist. Most exercise physiologists work in private practice, but they are also found in hospitals, community health centres, rehabilitation and aged care centres, as well as other workplaces and health promotion agencies. Exercise physiologists work closely with other health professions such as psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses and doctors.