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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

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The feet contain almost a quarter of all the bones in our bodies - it’s essential to take care of them. Our Bachelor of Podiatry will enable you to exert a positive, healing effect on people with conditions of the foot and lower leg including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, paediatrics and primary care.

In our state-of-the-art facilities at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus, you will gather the expertise to offer sound diagnosis and treatment.

You'll also benefit from professional placements enabling you to work with children, adults, athletes and the elderly, examining issues around sporting injuries, gait, biomechanics and acute conditions.

Graduates can pursue a career with a high degree of autonomy, working in hospital settings or in group or individual practice.

Course Learning Outcome

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

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.

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

Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice.

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.

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

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.

Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership.

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

Students will complete between 1,000 and 1,100 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the four years of study. These settings include but are not limited to public hospital rotations (high risk foot clinics), private practice placements (general, sports and surgical) and rural health locations.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, it is important that you understand what these requirements are.

The Bachelor of Podiatry enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of podiatry, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. This includes broad subject areas including anatomy, patho-physiology, pharmacology, psychology and communication. As students move through the course, they study more specialised content including biomechanics, rehabilitation, dermatology, rheumatology and paediatrics.

Clinical skills are gained through a gradual process of preclinical simulation, internal University clinics and external clinical practice placements.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 , Session 2 , Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Bachelor of Podiatry is accredited with the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council. Graduates can seek national registration as podiatry practitioners with the Podiatry Board of Australia.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) standards for English language must be met. See the AHPRA website for further information.

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

Applicants must have achieved:

  1. satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
  2. completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
  3. the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
  4. the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
  5. the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
  6. the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
  7. successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s  standards for English language must be met. See  https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx for further information.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification

Credit for prior learning

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

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Podiatry, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • all core units (372) credit points); and
  • 1 elective unit (12 credit points) from University-wide offerings.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Progression

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.

Students 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 unit with professional experience learning.

Students 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 professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

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
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners 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
PDT72001 -  Lower Limb Assessment I Intermediate
BIO20002 -  Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
Year 2, Session 2
PDT30003 -  Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
PDT72002 -  Lower Limb Assessment II Intermediate
PDT20002 -  Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
PDT20001 -  Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
Year 2, Session 3
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory Note 3
Year 3, Session 1
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate Note 2
Elective unit
PHA30001 -  Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
Year 3, Session 2
PDT30004 -  Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
PDT30001 -  Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
Year 4, Session 1
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83007 -  Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
Year 4, Session 2
PDT40001 -  Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
MNG00306 -  Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
BIO10001 -  Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
PDT30002 -  Lower Limb Medicine I Advanced
PDT72001 -  Lower Limb Assessment I Intermediate
Year 3, Session 2
PDT30003 -  Lower Limb Medicine II Advanced
PDT20001 -  Internal Clinical Placement Intermediate
Year 4, Session 1
BIO20002 -  Biomechanics of Gait Intermediate
SCI20001 -  Physical Sciences in Health Introductory
Year 4, Session 2
PDT20002 -  Orthoses and Bracing Intermediate
PDT72002 -  Lower Limb Assessment II Intermediate
Year 5, Session 1
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
PHA00315 -  Introductory Pharmacology Introductory
Year 5, Session 2
PDT30001 -  Management and Treatment of the High Risk Foot Intermediate
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
Year 6, Session 1
Elective
PHA30001 -  Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatrists Advanced
Year 6, Session 2
PDT30004 -  Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
Year 7, Session 1
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
Year 7, Session 2
PDT40001 -  Advanced Fieldwork (Podiatry) Advanced Note 1
Year 8, Session 1
HLT83007 -  Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
Year 8, Session 2
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
Year 1, Session 2
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
BIO71002 -  Human Physiology I Introductory
Year 1, Session 3
BIO71003 -  Human Physiology II Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
PDT10001 -  Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
BHS10581 -  Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory
BIO10001 -  Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
From Year 3, follow the Session 1 commencement from Year 2

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Complete one or more of the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement excluding the completed unit/s.
Session 3
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Note 2:

Can be completed in Year 3, Session 2

Note 3:

Can be completed in Year 3, Session 1

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Core Units
BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
BIO71002 Human Physiology I Introductory
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
PDT10001 Introduction to Podiatry and Pedorthics Introductory
MAT71004 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
BIO71003 Human Physiology II Introductory
BIO10001 Functional Anatomy of the Lower Limbs and Foot and Ankle Intermediate
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
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
PDT72001 Lower Limb Assessment I Intermediate
PDT72002 Lower Limb Assessment II Intermediate
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) Advanced 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) Advanced
HLT10601 Transition to Professional Practice Advanced
MNG00306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
Elective
One elective unit from the University wide offerings