There are well over 1000 bones, muscles and nerves in the human body – and studying musculoskeletal physiotherapy means getting familiar with almost all of them.
Enhance your physiotherapy expertise with advanced skills in pain and injury assessment and management. Refine your hands-on techniques while sharpening your clinical reasoning, empowering you to make confident, informed decisions for better patient outcomes. Integrate the latest pain science and evidence within your clinical practice, continue your lifelong learning journey, and gain a competitive advantage for senior roles and advanced clinical positions.
This one-year degree is for qualified physiotherapists looking to gain advanced clinical knowledge and skills in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Our curriculum is informed by world-class research in physiotherapy, with patient-centred care at its heart. You’ll learn to think carefully and reflect on current theories, helping you make better clinical decisions for accurate diagnoses, effective treatment plans and safer patient care.
Enhance your ability to operate effectively across biopsychosocial domains with advanced biomedical and psychosocial knowledge and reasoning. Build high-level communication skills for better patient education and collaboration.
Apply your knowledge through real-world placements and on-campus practice. Receive supervised clinical education from expert musculoskeletal physiotherapists. Connect with guest speakers in the field, building professional networks for your future career.
On graduation, you can seek formal recognition for titling as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapy Association and be eligible for the Specialisation Training Program through the Australian College of Physiotherapists. You’ll unlock new career opportunities in public and private practice, and in advanced scope roles in education.
Develop advanced musculoskeletal skills to treat a wide range of disorders and conditions that cause pain and limit movement. Learn from internationally renowned teachers and clinicians. Gain hands-on experience through placements and supervised practice in on and off-campus physiotherapy clinics. Build professional connections through our strong industry partnerships. Study a curriculum informed by world-class physiotherapy research. Benefit from a course that is focussed on interactive and hands-on learning in a primarily face-to-face setting.Our Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy specialising in Musculoskeletal is hands-on and evidence based.
You’ll develop the skills to thoroughly assess, problem-solve, and manage treatment plans for a wide range of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and injury cases. By understanding the core contributors to pain and injury, you will gain the tools to handle complex situations. You’ll also sharpen your clinical reasoning by practicing the thought processes that help to navigate complex pain and injury presentations, all within a biopsychosocial framework.
Your study topics will cover:
Clinical practice is a significant component of this degree. You’ll apply your new knowledge in real-world settings under the guidance of postgraduate-qualified physiotherapists.
This degree involves working with patients and the public through fieldwork, clinical placements and on-campus sessions. Because of this, you are required to meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements, including a criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and immunisations.
On completion of this degree, you'll need to register with the relevant national board to practice professionally. When you enrol, we'll work with you to notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and they'll assist you with the process of student registration.
The Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy is also available with majors in the following:
Complete 48 units comprising:
Complete 36 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Course name
Allied Health Research Evidence Translation
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Course code
REHB5003
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Units
6
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Course name
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1
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Course code
REHB5004
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 2
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Course code
REHB5005
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Integrated Pain Sciences
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Course code
REHB5006
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Exercise and Conditioning
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Course code
HLTH5006
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Advanced Scope Physiotherapy
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Course code
REHB5011
|
Units
6
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Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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Course name
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice 1
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Course code
REHB5001
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice 2 (Musculoskeletal)
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Course code
REHB5008
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Units
6
|
A master’s degree in musculoskeletal physiotherapy will elevate your confidence as a musculoskeletal practitioner and launch your career to new heights. You may work/continue to work within the private practice setting, open your own practice, or compete for senior or advanced scope roles. You might find your niche in corporate or sports-related settings. Perhaps you’ll lead ergonomics assessments and injury prevention programs in corporate institutions.
You’ll be equipped to pursue rewarding roles in a wide range of settings, including:
With strong demand for musculoskeletal expertise, this advanced training, and qualification can really make a difference.
Musculoskeletal conditions are extremely common, affecting people of all ages. There is a notable demand for musculoskeletal expertise, driven by an ageing population and an increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (Australian Physiotherapy Association, 2022). This creates a consistent need for specialists in this area.
Musculoskeletal specialisation demands a critical, reflective, patient-centred and evidence-based approach. Studying at Adelaide University builds these competencies and more, paving the way for higher paid career opportunities and a deeper impact on the lives of your patients.
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
