Bachelor
The feet contain almost a quarter of all the bones in our bodies - it's essential to take care of them. Our Bachelor of Podiatry will enable you to exert a positive, healing effect on people with conditions of the foot and lower leg including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, paediatrics and primary care.
In our state-of-the-art facilities at Southern Cross University's Gold Coast campus, you will gather the expertise to offer sound diagnosis and treatment.
You'll also benefit from professional placements enabling you to work with children, adults, athletes and the elderly, examining issues around sporting injuries, gait, biomechanics and acute conditions.
Graduates can pursue a career with a high degree of autonomy, working in hospital settings or in group or individual practice.
Applicants must have achieved:
Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.
Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.
In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]'s standards for English language must be met. See https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx for further information.
An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification
The Bachelor of Podiatry enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of podiatry, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. This includes broad subject areas including anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychology and communication. As you move through the course, you study more specialised content including biomechanics, rehabilitation, dermatology, rheumatology and paediatrics.
Clinical skills are gained through a gradual process of preclinical simulation, internal University clinics and external clinical practice placements.
The majority of podiatry employment is in private practice. As a podiatrist graduates also have the opportunity to work in community health settings; in hospitals and with specialised health teams such as in diabetic care; in health promotion and education; with children, athletes and older people; or to undertake research.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Podiatry, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
* 29 core units (372) credit points); and
* 1 elective unit (12 credit points) from University-wide offerings.
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.
Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.