Become an exercise physiologist (AEP) with a Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation.

You'll learn to assess and prescribe exercise and physical activity for people with chronic conditions or complex care needs. This course will prepare you to work in the community and in clinical settings with people who have:

• musculoskeletal injuries
• neurological conditions
• metabolic conditions
• cardiovascular conditions
• various comorbidities.

Our program follows a strong evidence-based teaching approach to the scope of practice of clinical exercise physiology. To consolidate your theoretical learning, you will gain significant practical experience in clinical placements.

You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience to work as an exercise physiologist. There is also an optional research component embedded in this course that will prepare you academically for a PhD pathway.

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a similar discipline OR Completion of an Australian Graduate Certificate (or equivalent) in a similar discipline PLUS IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 7 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Contextualise theoretical knowledge and expertise through the application of individualised exercise assessment and intervention principles for preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, and rehabilitation;
2. Implement specific evidence-based skills and competencies in clinical exercise physiology aligned with the professional standards for accreditation from Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA);
3. Critically reflect on and implement high-level interpersonal communication skills for ethical and safe clinical exercise practice supporting person-centred care, cultural inclusivity, and interprofessional practice;
4. Evaluate, devise, and conduct research which exhibits independence of thought in the field of clinical exercise physiology and rehabilitation; and
5. Critically reflect on practice capabilities and recognise the need for ongoing professional development.

Exercise physiology is a growing allied health profession. A postgraduate qualification in clinical exercise science from Victoria University will put you at the forefront of helping those with chronic conditions or complex care needs. 

You could find work in a range of settings, including:

• hospitals
• community health centres
• fitness centres
• sporting academies
• sports clinics
• rehabilitation clinics
• case management through compensable schemes such as WorkSafe.

You could also run your own private practice.

Your practical training with VU will prepare you to work in a variety of specific areas, such as:

• women’s health
• aged care
• occupational health and safety.