Course

Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Podiatric Medicine

Approved Abbreviation: BHlthSc/MPodMed

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4661.2

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 069896G

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This course version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is 2011.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

Commencement Year 2010 - 4661.1 Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Podiatric Medicine

Podiatrists are best known for treating problems that people experience with their feet, but they are increasingly playing an important role in addressing chronic conditions such as diabetes. As a podiatrist, your patients can range from children to active sportspeople to the ageing. There is a large focus on footwear, from everyday wear to workwear and athletic shoes, as well as common problems such as ingrown toenails or bunions. Podiatrists are employed in sports medicine, community centres to help the aged become more mobile, private practice, ensuring children have footwear that meets their needs, and in hospital teams, addressing problems associated with chronic diseases and acute problems such as diabetes. You may also continue your training and become a podiatric surgeon.

The course in podiatry is offered as a combined Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Podiatric Medicine. The first three years of the program combine studies in podiatry with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The progression to the Master’s component of the combined degree is seamless and the final year focuses predominately on podiatry practice skills, practical experience and specialised areas. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

Study Mode
Four years full-time

Accreditation
Accreditation is being sought through the Australian and New Zealand Accreditation Council (ANZPAC). The process has three stages. The first two stages have been completed to the satisfaction of ANZPAC and the submission for the third stage is required at the end of 2013 when the first cohort of students has completed the combined degree. The course(s) are listed as approved programs of study accepted for general registration as a podiatrist by the Podiatry Board of Australia.

Admission

For local students admission is through UAC.

Assumed knowledge: Any 2 units of English.

Recommended studies: Mathematics, Physics and Biology.

For international students, admission is through direct application to the university with IELTS equal to 6.5 or above.

To be eligible to undertake fieldwork or practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

UAC

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International Office

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website (UAC).

UAC

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
In order to enrol in Second Year Autumn units, all students must have: 1. NSW Health National Criminal Record Check, 2. Prohibited Employment Declaration Form. In order to enrol in Second Year Spring units, all students must have a First Aid Certificate. To be eligible to undertake fieldwork placements in public hospitals, students must comply with vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. Details of necessary vaccinations are available from NSW Health.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

400870

Population Health and Society

400868

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

400905

Introduction to Podiatry

400871

Professional Health Competencies