| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree (Extended) |
| CRICOS Code |
075265K |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Doctor of Physiotherapy is a 3 year Masters (extended) program. It is a unique offering in NSW with DPT only offered by 2 other Universities (University of Melbourne and Bond University). There are currently 19 universities offering 23 entry-level physiotherapy programs around Australia. The DPT offers an extended curriculum with advanced clinical knowledge and skills as well as business, management, leadership and advocacy skills. Students undertake an extensive and innovative integrated clinical education program and are required to design and execute a substantial research project.
The Doctor of Physiotherapy aims to ensure:
1. Graduates will be competent, ethical and socially responsible physiotherapists with enhanced knowledge and skills able to deliver person-centred healthcare in contemporary healthcare environments.
2. Graduates will be reflective practitioners committed to lifelong learning and able to demonstrate advanced clinical practice.
3. Graduates will be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with clients and their families, healthcare colleagues, researchers, healthcare policy makers and the wider community.
4.Graduates will demonstrate business, management, leadership and advocacy knowledge and skills to engage with individuals and/or communities to promote health and wellbeing across the lifespan and address health inequities.
5. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to produce new knowledge or apply existing knowledge in innovative ways to enhance health and wellbeing.
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| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1.1 Competently meet all Australian Standards (and elements) for Physiotherapy in all key areas of physiotherapy. (Key areas of physiotherapy refer to musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and electrophysical agents across all ages and from acute to community contexts.) [K T P C E J]
1.2 Apply your enhanced knowledge and skills of person-centred health care as an ethical and socially responsible physiotherapist. [K T P C E J]
2.1 Create a professional portfolio outlining your progress and reflection during the attainment of the Australian Standards for physiotherapy that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in reflective practice. [K T P C E J]
2.2 Apply critical, analytical and integrative thinking skills in clinical practice such that your level of performance exceeds the expectation of entry-level physiotherapists. [K T P C E J]
3.1 Work collaboratively and communicate effectively in healthcare settings ranging from acute facilities to community settings. [K T P C E J]
3.2 Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with distinguished researchers and the wider community. [K T P C E J ]
4.1 Formulate and produce business and management plans for a future physiotherapy practice demonstrating your business and management knowledge and skills [K T P C E J]
4.2 Demonstrate knowledge and skills in leadership and advocacy by preparing policy documents to policymakers and health and wellbeing programs to community groups and/or industry partners [K T P C E J]
5.1 Identify a research problem relevant to physiotherapy and plan and execute a substantial research project to address this problem. [K T P C E J]
5.2 Communicate effectively your research project plans and project outcomes [P C E J]
(NB. PLO Numbering linked to respective Program Aim)
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| Learning and Teaching Methods |
Learning and teaching methods are designed to meet the individual unit learning outcomes and foster the acquisition of Physiotherapy-specific knowledge and skills as well as critical thinking and problem solving ability. Learning and teaching methods are also tailored to assist in the development of the generic professional and personal attributes required for delivery of healthcare. Learning and teaching methods include: lectures, tutorials, practical skill development classes, research project development and implementation as well as integrated clinical education opportunities.
Central to the pedagogical philosophy of this program is that students learn best when they are deeply engaged with the content. It is our intention to achieve this by presenting the material in innovative ways which clearly demonstrate the clinical relevance. The program aims to produce physiotherapists who are independent problem solvers and can easily translate their knowledge to new environments and situations. As such we will emphasise an inquiry based learning approach. A fundamental aspect of the pedagogy of the program is the semester by semester structure. This structure provides a logical, systematic flow through the course from start to finish and ensures progressive development towards attainment of the program goals and Australian Standards of Physiotherapy. The focus of the six semesters is outlined below:
Semester A: Foundation physiotherapy skills
Semester B: Managing common conditions
Semester C: Developing as a clinician
Semester D: Managing more complex conditions
Semester E: Extended Knowledge of future leaders
Semester F: Independent clinician and researcher |
| Assessment |
Assessments tasks are varied to match the knowledge, skills and personal attributes required for a Physiotherapist but also to meet MQ graduate capabilities and the AQF Masters (extended) requirements. At the Unit level, there is constructive alignment between the specific learning outcomes and assessment tasks. Across the program the following assessment tasks are used:
• Written examinations including short answer and multiple choice knowledge questions, theoretical and research based questions as well as in-depth Clinical reasoning questions based on case scenarios
• Clinical Simulation and viva examinations to assess physiotherapy clinical skills and reasoning
• Clinical performance assessed using the National tool -the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice
• Mastery of clinical skills
• Seminar presentations
• Research proposals
• Research reports in format of journal submissions
• Conference presentations
• Reflective case reports reports and professional development plans
• Professional portfolios
• Written assignments |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. The program is also subject to an ongoing process of professional accreditation review |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates will be eligible to apply to register as a physiotherapist subject to accreditation of the Doctor of Physiotherapy by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and granting of approved program status by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Graduates will need to meet the Physiotherapy Board of Australia's Registration Standards (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). These standards include English language skill and an assessment of criminal history. Applicants are advised to review these standards prior to admission to the program.
Graduates will demonstrate advanced, clinical, business management, and leadership skills and will be well prepared to pursue a career as a physiotherapist in a range of settings; private and public hospitals, community settings including sports and private practice, research and advisory positions for industry and government.
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| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| External Benchmarks |
The Doctor of Physiotherapy has been planned to meet the following external benchmarks
The Australian Standards for Physiotherapy http://www.physiocouncil.com.au/files/the-australian-standards-for-physiotherapy
–AQF level 9 Masters (Extended)
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Application of knowledge and skills
–The former Australian Learning and Teaching Centre (ALTC) threshold learning outcomes for Physiotherapy
The Australian Physiotherapy Association Code of Conduct https://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/APAWCM/Membership/Code_Of_Conduct/NoContent.aspx?hkey=f2b9eddb-d561-4ad8-a2c0-6c6d0391c6c5
The Head of Department is a member of Council of Physiotherapy Deans Australia and New Zealand and Macquarie University has agreed to participate in a National benchmarking exercise to meet accreditation requirements.
There have been preliminary meetings with the two other Universities offering DPT (Bond and Melbourne) to undertake benchmarking.
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| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
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