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Bachelor of Podiatry

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BPod

  • Course code

    3007308

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

The Bachelor of Podiatry prepares students for entry into professional podiatry practice. Podiatry is a branch of health care devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. Within the field of podiatry, practitioners can focus on many different specialty areas, including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, paediatrics and primary care.

The degree aims to educate students to become knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective assessment and intervention for people of different ages, who exhibit health disorders. 

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice.

Creativity

Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills.

Demonstrate knowledge, skill and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice.

Ethical practice

Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice.

Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice.

Knowledge of a discipline

Function in accordance with all relevant legislation, registration requirements, guidelines and standards affecting clinical/professional practice.

Assess, plan, provide and evaluate safe and effective clinical practice with a range of client groups across the lifespan.

Lifelong learning

Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice.

Communication and social skills

Work collaboratively in a range of health care teams with an understanding of best practice and the evidence base that supports it.

Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, significant others and professional colleagues in ways that are appropriate to the scholarly, professional and/or social setting.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership.

Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide).

Students will complete approximately 1 000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the four years of study. These settings include but are not limited to public hospital rotations, private practice placements and rural health locations. Visit scu.edu.au/healthplacements

The Bachelor of Podiatry enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of podiatry, with a focus on both general or specialist knowledge and skills. The course shares components with existing SCU degrees such as the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy; Bachelor of Clinical Sciences; Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.

Honours: The course includes an embedded Honours program for eligible students, which can be studied concurrently during the Bachelor degree course.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2 330169 059961

Career Outcomes

Southern Cross University is undertaking accreditation from the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC). Subject to this accreditation, graduates of the Bachelor of Podiatry will be able to seek national registration as podiatry practitioners with the Podiatry Board of Australia. The accreditation process is expected to be completed mid-2016

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

  1. Applicants who do not meet Rule 2 Section 1 - English Language Proficiency subsection must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 in each subtest or equivalent as required by the Podiatry Board of Australia.
  2. An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Credit for prior learning

  1. Candidates who have completed a Certificate III will not be granted any advanced standing solely on the basis of this qualification.
  2. Candidates who have completed the Bachelor of Pedorthics may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Podiatry.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Podiatry a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. one (1) elective unit from Part B university elective units
  2. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Podiatry with Honours, a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part C
    Students who enter the Honours stream will be required to:
    1. Successfully complete all units in years 3 and 4 of the Honours stream on their first attempt;
    2. Maintain a Credit grade average (GPA of at least 5.0) for years 3 and 4.
    Students must pass all units of study on their first attempt to continue with the Hons program, maintain a GPA of at least 5.0 (Credit grade average) and comply with these requirements.

Progression in clinic-based units

  1. Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) clinic units.
  2. Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular clinic unit.
  3. Subsequent to Progression in clinic-based units requirements (a) and (b) above, candidates who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure clinic currency prior to continuation of the course.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 2
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 2
BIO00307 -  Human Physiology Introductory
MAT00330 -  Research and Analysis in Health Introductory
HLT10583 -  Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO10001 -  Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 3, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 4
PDT30002 -  Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
SCI20001 -  Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
PDT20001 -  Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 3, and the remaining unit in Session 2, Year 4
PDT30003 -  Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
PDT20004 -  Lower Limb Assessment Intermediate Note 1
Year 3, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 5, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 6
PDT20002 -  Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
BIO20002 -  Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
Elective unit
PHA30001 -  Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
Year 3, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 5, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 6
PDT30001 -  Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
PDT30004 -  Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
Year 4, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first unit in Session 1, Year 7, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 8
HLT83007 -  Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
Year 4, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first unit in Session 2, Year 7 and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 8
MNG00306 -  Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
PDT40001 -  Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2 and Human Physiology in Session 3
MAT00330 -  Research and Analysis in Health Introductory
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
BIO00307 -  Human Physiology Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Year 2 Session 1 and the remaining 2 units in Year 3 Session 1
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
HLT10583 -  Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO10001 -  Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
PDT20001 -  Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
SCI20001 -  Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
PDT30002 -  Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
Year 3, Session 2
PDT30003 -  Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
PDT20004 -  Lower Limb Assessment Intermediate Note 1
Year 4, Session 1
PDT20002 -  Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
BIO20002 -  Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
PHA30001 -  Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
Elective Unit
Year 4, Session 2
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
PDT30004 -  Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
PDT30001 -  Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
Year 5, Session 1
HLT83007 -  Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
Year 5, Session 2
PDT40001 -  Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced
MNG00306 -  Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Complete one or both of the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement less the completed unit/s.
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
BIO00307 -  Human Physiology Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
BIO00307 -  Human Physiology Introductory
MAT00330 -  Research and Analysis in Health Introductory
HLT10583 -  Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO10001 -  Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
PDT30002 -  Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
SCI20001 -  Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
PDT20001 -  Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
PDT30003 -  Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
PDT20004 -  Lower Limb Assessment Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
BIO20002 -  Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
PDT20002 -  Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
PHA30001 -  Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
HLT83001 -  Allied Health Honours Seminar I Advanced
Year 3, Session 2
PDT30001 -  Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
PDT30004 -  Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
HLT83002 -  Allied Health Honours Seminar II Advanced
Year 4, Session 1
HLT83003 -  Allied Health Honours Thesis I Advanced Note 1
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
Year 4, Session 2
MNG00306 -  Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
PDT40001 -  Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
HLT83004 -  Allied Health Honours Thesis II Advanced

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A

BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
PDT10001 Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
BIO00307 Human Physiology Introductory
MAT00330 Research and Analysis in Health Introductory
HLT10583 Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO10001 Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
PDT20001 Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
PHA00315 Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
SCI20001 Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
PDT30002 Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
PDT30003 Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
CUL00408 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
PDT20004 Lower Limb Assessment Intermediate Note 1
BIO20002 Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
PDT20002 Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
PHA30001 Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
HLT30001 Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
PDT30001 Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
PDT30004 Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
HLT30002 Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
PDT40001 Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Note 1
HLT83007 Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
HLT83006 Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83005 Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal)
HLT10601 Transition to Professional Practice Advanced
MNG00306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory

Part B

Elective unit from University's offerings

Part C

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO00307 Human Physiology Introductory
BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
CUL00408 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
HLT10583 Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
MAT00330 Research and Analysis in Health Introductory
BIO10001 Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
BIO20002 Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
HLT30002 Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
MNG00306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
PDT10001 Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
PDT20001 Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
PDT20002 Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
PDT20004 Lower Limb Assessment Intermediate Note 1
PDT30001 Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
PDT30002 Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
PDT30003 Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
PDT30004 Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
PDT40001 Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
PHA00315 Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
PHA30001 Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
SCI20001 Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
HLT83006 Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83005 Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83001 Allied Health Honours Seminar I Advanced
HLT83002 Allied Health Honours Seminar II Advanced
HLT83003 Allied Health Honours Thesis I Advanced Note 1
HLT83004 Allied Health Honours Thesis II Advanced