Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine

What is this course about?

Graduates of CSU's Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine find employment in the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders of the feet and lower limbs.

This is the only podiatry course offered by a regional university in Australia and was developed in response to the shortage of podiatrists in non-metropolitan areas of Australia.

Podiatry has a huge part to play in the health of Australia. Through screening of the feet of people with diabetes to risk prevention and providing foot care in a number of populations, podiatrists can delay and prevent hospitalisation for many patients. Podiatrists play an important role in the maintenance of mobility and general health and independence of many members of the community.

What will I learn?

The course has a strong emphasis on the clinical practices associated with podiatry and this is complemented with studies in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, diagnostic imaging, health promotion and the social sciences. Please note that this course involves the use of human cadaveric material.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this course through the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• Criminal Record Clearance
• Senior First Aid Certificate

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Your course is recognised by industry

CSU's Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine has been developed to meet the competency requirements of the Australasian Podiatry Council and all Registration Boards in Australia and New Zealand. The course is recognised by many prominent podiatrists for offering the best clinical education of any podiatry course in the country.

The latest facilities

To provide students with direct hands-on clinical experience, and to ensure that you are experienced at using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:

• state-of-the-art anatomy and physiology laboratories
• first class clinical teaching laboratories
• small group sizes
• a 'real life' on campus podiatry clinic where you will treat your first patients and obtain over 600 hours of clinical training. This clinic has over 3,000 patients currently registered and provides the basis of an excellent clinical education with hands-on training.

Course Structure

The course consists of 256 points. At the end of 2nd year, students can choose - dependent upon satisfying minimum requirements - to complete the Honours stream or remain in the pass degree. Entry into Honours is dependant on the availability of appropriate supervisors and resources required to support the project.

Common Stream

BMS171 Introduction to Functional Human Anatomy (8 points)
BMS172 Functional Anatomy of the Vetebral Column, Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb
BMS161 Health and Human Body - Cells, Immunity and Musculoskeletal.
BMS162 BMS162 Health and the Human Body II - Systemic Human Physiology.
BMS263 Pharmacology for Allied Health Professionals
BMS244 Podiatric biomechanics and Paediatrics
BMS236 Pathophysiology for Allied Health Professionals
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
GER204 Ageing and Professional Practice
HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation
HIP202 Research for Health Practice
IKC100 Indigenous Health
POD203 Introduction to Podiatric Clinical Practice (16 points)
POD213 Clinical Podiatric Practice

Pass Stream

POD306 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice (16 points)
POD307 Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Pathology
POD308 The Diabetic Foot and Chronic Wound Management
POD312 Podiatric Surgery & Pharmacology
POD315 Mental Health, Neurological and Vascular Medicine
POD316 Sports Medicine and Electrophysical Agents
POD317 Local Anaesthesia and Surgery
POD403 Clinical Podiatric Residency (16 points)
POD404 Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice (16 points)
POD405 Diagnostic Sciences for Podiatric Practice
POD408 Advanced Pharmacology and Prescribing
POD413 Professional Podiatric Practice
POD415 Evidence Based Practice in Podiatry

Elective subject

Honours Stream

HLT333 Community Health Honours Research Preparation (16 points)
HLT441 Health Honours Project/Dissertation (16 points)
POD307 Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Pathology
POD308 The Diabetic Foot and Chronic Wound Management
POD309 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice for Honours
POD315 Mental Health, Neurological and Vascular Medicine
POD316 Sports Medicine and Electrophysical Agents
POD317 Local Anaesthesia and Surgery
POD405 Diagnostic Sciences for Podiatric Practice
POD408 Advanced Pharmacology and Prescrbing
POD407 Clinical Podiatric Residency & Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice for Honours (24 points)
POD413 Professional Podiatric Practice

Enrolment pattern

Common Stream
Session 1
GER204 Ageing and Professional Practice
HIP100 Introduction to Health & Rehabilitation
BMS161 Health and Human Body - Cells, Immunology and Musculoskeletal
BMS171 Introductory Functional Human Anatomy

Session 2
BMS162 Health and the Human Body II - Systemic Human Physiology.
BMS172 Functional Anatomy of the Vertebral Column, Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb
IKC100 Indigenous Health
POD203 Introduction to Podiatric Clinical Practice (commence)

Session 3
HIP202 Research for Health Practice
BMS244 Podiatric Biomechanics and Paediatrics (commence)
BMS263 Pharmacology for Allied Health Professionals
POD203 Introduction to Podiatric Clinical Practice (completed)

Session 4
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
BMS236 Pathophysiology for Allied Health Professionals
BMS244 Podiatric Biomechanics and Paediatrics (completed)
POD213 Clinical Podiatric Practice

Pass Stream
Session 5
POD306 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice (commence)
POD307 Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Pathology
POD308 The Diabetic Foot and Chronic Wound Management
POD405 Diagnostic Sciences for Podiatric Practice

Session 6
POD306 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice (completed)
POD317 Local Anaesthesia and Surgery
POD315 Mental Health, Neurological and Vascular Medicine
POD316 Sports Medicine & Electrophysical Agents

Session 7
POD403 Clinical Podiatric Residency (commence)
POD408 Advanced Pharmacology and Prescribing
POD404 Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice (commence)
Elective subject

Session 8
POD404 Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice (completed)
POD403 Clinical Podiatric Residency (completed)
POD413 Professional Podiatric Practice
POD415 Evidence Based Practice in Podiatry

Honours Stream
Session 5
POD309 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice for Honours
POD307 Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Pathology
POD308 The Diabetic Foot and Chronic Wound Management
HLT333 Community Health Honours Research Preparation (commence)

Session 6
HLT333 Community Health Honours Research Preparation (completed)
POD317 Local Anaesthesia and Surgery
POD315 Mental Health, Neurological and Vascular Medicine
POD316 Sports Medicine & Electrophysical Agents

Session 7
POD407 Clinical Podiatric Residency & Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice for Honours (commence)
POD408 Advanced Pharmacology and Prescribing
POD405 Diagnostic Sciences for Podiatric Practice
HLT441 Health Honours Project / Dissertation (commence)

Session 8
POD407 Clinical Podiatric Residency & Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice for Honours (16) (completed)
POD413 Professional Podiatric Practice
HLT441 Health Honours Project / Dissertation (completed)

Workplace learning 

Students will be required to complete over 1,000 hours of clinical experience during the course. This will be undertaken in conjunction with a number of subjects throughout the course, beginning in the first year.

Students are responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses to and from clinical placements. Students will be required to undertake clinical practice during holiday periods.

National Criminal Record Check

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

Admission requirements

You may also wish to download and fill out the following additional information form.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1