Key facts
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Deakin’s Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology has a national reputation for teaching excellence, world-class facilities and graduate employability. This award-winning course creates a simple pathway towards becoming an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, and the 300-plus hours of industry experience you undertake will open the door to exciting opportunities.
Want to study alongside the brightest minds in the field at our purpose-built Deakin Clinical Exercise Centre?
This course gives you all the tools you need to become a successful clinical exercise physiologist. You’ll study in world-class facilities, learn from brilliant teachers who are leaders in the field, benefit from extensive practical experience and grow your professional network through our long list of industry partners. If you love the feeling of helping people manage or overcome chronic conditions through exercise, we can help you channel that passion into a long-lasting career. Equally, if you want to enhance your skills in a high-performing, nurturing environment, this is the course for you.
Build on your current expertise and develop a deep understanding of advanced principles within clinical exercise physiology. Everything you learn is grounded in science and the evidence-based techniques you explore allow you to deliver better outcomes for your patients. When you graduate, you will be able to confidently treat a diverse range of chronic conditions, injuries and disabilities. You will also learn about the effects of acute and chronic exercise on physiological and pathophysiological processes in individuals with injury and disease. Some of the conditions you will cover include:
- musculoskeletal injury and disease
- cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- cancer
- mental illness.
Looking to become an Accredited Exercise Physiologist? Deakin’s Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is an approved pathway towards accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). In fact, it’s the first clinical exercise course in Victoria to gain accreditation. On top of that, graduates will be eligible to apply for provider numbers with Medicare Australia, WorkSafe Victoria, DVA, TAC and other compensable funds and schemes.
One of the best parts of the course is being able to test your new skills in real clinical settings. You’ll undertake 300-plus hours of clinical placement that gives you a taste of your future role and provides valuable opportunities for professional development. If your dream is to work one-on-one with patients in a clinical setting, you will find this experience incredibly rewarding. An accredited exercise physiologist (or qualified professional) will guide you through your placement units, which are designed to optimise your exposure to a wide range of clients, practitioners and institutions. Some of these placements lead directly to future employment.
When you’re not on external placement, you will also be getting practical experience at the award-winning Deakin Clinical Exercise Centre (DCEC). DCEC was developed specifically for Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology students. At the centre, students can work alongside accredited exercise physiologists to apply their clinical knowledge to real clients. Students also have access to our multi-million dollar Specialised Indoor Exercise and Sport Science Teaching Building and Elite Sports Precinct. To give you a more rounded education, the curriculum is balanced with a research component. You will plan and execute your own research project, and the skills you learn will allow you to critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise scientific research to better inform clinical reasoning.
Ultimately, you will be joining a program with a proven track record of excellence. This course, along with our graduates, has received a number of ESSA awards, including runner-up exercise physiology practice of the year (2012), supervisor of the year (2014) and graduate of the year (2014). Better still, our school of exercise and sport science has been ranked number one in Australia for three years running.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H743
- CRICOS code?
- 072823J Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Course structure
To complete the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology students must attain 12 credit points. All units are equal to 1 credit point completed over three trimesters (minimum 18 months) of full-time study and/or part-time equivalent undertaken in campus mode of study. All units are core units (these are compulsory). There are no elective units.
Students cannot complete the course in less than 18 months.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Fees
There are limited CSP places in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. Therefore CSP places are not guaranteed and are allocated according to time of receipt of a completed application.
Applications for CSP usually closes in mid-late November each year. Applications after received after this time are considered for full-fee places only.
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Mandatory student checks
Working with Children Check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement units. Learn more about the Working with Children Check.
Police record check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement units.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Participation requirements
The course involves compulsory clinical placements of 360 clinical hours across the course. These hours are completed in 3 blocks, one internal practicum experience and two external practicum experiences. These practicums may require travel to regional or rural areas.Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Work-Integrated Learning
This course provides you with the required knowledge and necessary skills, developed through theoretical and pre-clinical units to enable you to take full advantage of the three clinical placements on offer. The clinical placement program consists of a fully integrated internal and external placement system. The internal placements occur in the award winning Deakin Clinical Exercise Learning Centre (CELC) and Baker IDI Clinical Exercise Service, with supervision provided by expert AEPs. The external placements are in a wide variety of settings aligned to the scope of practice for clinical exercise physiologists and sometimes lead directly to future employment. All placements are organised by MCEP staff who will provide you with professional industry links, reinforce your understanding of the role of an AEP and give you extensive opportunities to gain practical knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable you to practise confidently in this field.
Additional costs incurred for clinical placement may include:
- Police check, up to $46, however a lesser rate is available when signed by the University Placement Officer
- Vaccinations: Students are expected to show evidence of vaccinations as per external placement requirements. Costs incurred will depend on the student’s vaccination status.
- Current First Aid and CPR certificate
- Deakin Clinical Exercise Polo shirt, approximately $25
In addition, students may be required to complete a placement in a setting away from their current residence, i.e. a regional or rural placement. Any costs associated with this placement will be at the expense to the student. Further information for student financial support can be found at General Student Loans.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree in relevant area with eligibility for Exercise Scientist accreditation (AES – Accredited Exercise Scientist) from Exercise and Sports Science Australia
To meet the academic requirements, you will need to meet one or more of the following criteria:
- graduates of the H343 Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University, H353 Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science – Advanced (Honours), D333 Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science and D394 Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science/Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) where acknowledgment of eligibility for accreditation with ESSA is included as a professional recognition statement on your transcript
- applicants who have previously completed an ESSA accredited Exercise Science undergraduate degree at another university. Please refer to ESSA-accredited exercise science courses to view the list of accredited universities and courses
- applicants with current AES accreditation with ESSA. Applicants are required to provide membership evidence with their MCEP application
- graduates of undergraduate degrees other than those above, who can demonstrate that they have covered all of the elements required for accreditation at the Exercise Science level of ESSA via completion of an ESSA Graduate Entry Assessment and provide a copy of the outcome letter as evidence with their MCEP application
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Students are advised to aim for at least a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 65% or greater; however achieving 65% or greater WAM does not provide guaranteed entry into the course.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you’re able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to the Graduate Certificate of Health Research Practice (H541)
Careers
Career outcomes
Individuals with chronic conditions can now have treatments from an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) covered by Medicare and many private health insurers. This has increased the career opportunities for those with an AEP-recognised qualification, and puts graduates of this course in a strong position for career progression.
Your practical experience, technical knowledge and problem-solving skills will allow you to thrive in a variety of settings including:
- hospital and clinic rehabilitation
- occupational, community and sports rehabilitation
- private practice
- case management through compensable schemes such as Medicare, Worksafe and the TAC.
When you are on clinical placement, it’s always a good idea to put your best foot forward. Some of these placements lead directly to future employment.
Professional recognition
Deakin’s Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is the first exercise physiology course in Victoria to be accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Students can apply to become an Accredited Exercise Physiologist upon completion of the course, and are then eligible for provider numbers with Medicare Australia, WorkSafe Victoria, DVA, TAC and other compensable funds and schemes.
Note: This course is accredited at the date of publishing. Eligibility for students seeking accreditation is subject to meeting the requirements of ESSA. Deakin University makes no representation that students will meet those requirements.
ESSA has implemented a new English requirement for all individuals seeking initial accreditation or reinstating accreditation to show English language competence, please refer to this webpage for more information.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply knowledge of clinical exercise physiology to provide appropriate exercise prescription. |
| Communication | Communicate clinical exercise physiology theory and practice effectively to a range of audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise various forms of information and apply them to authentic problems in clinical exercise physiology. |
| Critical thinking | Utilise research to inform appropriate clinical exercise physiology decision making. |
| Problem solving | Apply evidence based practice clinical exercise physiology solutions to chronic and complex clinical conditions. |
| Self-management | Reflect on practice and become an adaptable and responsible clinical exercise physiology practitioner. |
| Teamwork | Work effectively within clinical exercise physiology and interdisciplinary teams. |
| Global citizenship | Be professional and ethical in clinical exercise physiology practice. |