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.
Graduates work professionally as podiatrists in a variety of settings, both nationally and internationally.
You can work in:
The course is taught by a team of dedicated professionals with over 90 years experience in a wide range of industry, clinical and international settings.
The Bachelor of Podiatry program 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.
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:
Students will be required to complete over 1000 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 (see Clinical requirements section following).
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. Students will be required to undertake clinical practice throughout the course, including holiday periods.
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 256 points and meet fieldwork placement requirements. Fieldwork experience constitutes approximately one quarter of the course, the majority taking place during third and fourth years. Students will be required to meet the costs associated with fieldwork. Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Podiatry with the award BPodiatry or BPodiatry(Hons).
Refer to the Clinical requirements section following for information on fieldwork placement requirements:
1. What sort of things do podiatrists do?
Interpret x-rays of the foot and ankle treat skin/nail diseases of the foot and leg assess blood and nerve supply to the foot and leg assess the muscles and soft tissue of the foot and leg assess and manage the feet of people who have diabetes manage ingrown toenails (and other toenail problems), and remove them surgically diagnose and treat corns and calluses manage (sports) injuries to the foot and ankle manage long-term foot and ankle problems (e.g. ‘heel spurs’, ‘metatarsalgia’) treat children’s foot problems plus much more
2. What age people do podiatrists work with?
Podiatrists work with all ages, from babies just learning to walk (and younger occasionally), right through to very elderly people. Most podiatrists work largely with people aged over 45.
3. What personal attributes are useful for podiatrists?
Good communicator enjoy working with people work well independently ability to make decisions.
4. What specific areas are studied?
Nail disorders, x-ray interpretation, diabetes medicine, vascular (e.g. venous leg ulcers) medicine, rheumatology (e.g. arthritis), human walking, foot problems of childhood (e.g. cerebral palsy, club foot), dermatology (skin diseases), problems of ageing (e.g. preventing broken hips by preventing falls), neurology (nerves, e.g. Parkinson’s disease), diagnosis and management of injuries (sports medicine), prescription of insoles (orthotics) and many others.
5. How much practical work is involved in the course?
Working with real clients: three to five days in the first year, building up to about 15 to 20 full-time weeks in fourth year. The Australian Podiatry Council suggests that approximately 1,000 hours is spent in clinical experience over the four years of the course.
6. What are clinical placements?
These are situations where you are given the opportunity to experience professional podiatric practice. Depending on the placement, you may be observing, assisting or taking responsibility for assessment and treatment. Through these activities you will experience almost the entire range of activities associated with podiatric practice before finishing your study.
7. Where are clinical placements?
60% of the time, these will be in the on campus clinic. Placements can be with podiatrists and related professionals locally or anywhere in Australia. International placements may be available, but they are not compulsory. Placements may be available in the UK , Singapore, and New Zealand.
Students are required to meet their own travelling and living expenses while on placement. Scholarships may be available to help with costs associated with placement.
To ensure that students are exposed to a wide range of placement situations, students are not normally given a choice of placement location.
8. How hard is the course?
There is a demanding workload. You need to work steadily throughout the semester. However, some students do manage part-time jobs on top of their university commitment.
9. How many hours a week do I have to be on campus?
Students normally have between 22-25 hours a week of class contact time. You also have clinical sessions. Each session takes four hours. Currently, second-year students complete one session per week and third-year students two sessions per week. Fourth-year students rotate through six to eight sessions clinical placement rosters per week, and have less lecture commitments than in other years.
10. Are there many jobs in podiatry?
Currently there is a major shortage of podiatrists and you will be able to find work easily. Most CSU graduates leave the University with up to three job offers in rural areas.
11. Can I complete the course part-time or through distance education?
It is possible to study the first year by distance education, but subsequent years are only offered to internal students. It is not usually possible to study part-time. Please discuss individual circumstances with the Course Manager.
12. Can I work as a podiatrist overseas? What countries can an Australian trained practitioner work in?
Your qualification allows you to work in all of the Australian states and territories. You can apply to work in NZ (no exam required), Britain (no exam required) and Canada (exam required). You cannot work in USA as a podiatrist, however, with a work permit, you can work as a podiatric assistant. CSU graduates currently work in the UK , Singapore , Ireland and Canada and are well respected for their high quality and clinical skills.
13. How much manual dexterity /practical skills do I need to have to be a podiatrist?
The podiatry course is hands-on and requires effective use of scalpels, scissors, joint measurement instruments, and eventually the use of hypodermic needles. The course structure is such that these manual dexterity skills are developed by students over each session.Competency assessment is used at the end of each session to ensure each new skill is evaluated before students are allowed to treat patients.
| Study through | Albury-Wodonga |
| Study mode and normal course duration |
|
| Fee information | Australian & New Zealand students International students |
| Commence study in |
|
| Admission rank cut-offs | 72.55 |
| CRICOS registered | 039051A |
Choose your preferred method. Make note of the admission code as you will need this to complete your application. More information on application closing dates.
| Apply through UAC |
|
|
| Apply through VTAC |
|
|
| Apply online | International students Admission code:
|
|
| Mail your application | International students |
|
| Recruitment agent | International students |
|
The course consists of an integrated award where both streams complete the same point value for graduation. Years one and two are common to both streams. Years three and four are differentiated between Pass and Honours streams. Students intending to take the Honours stream must satisfy minimum requirements.
Session 1
BMS150 Functional Anatomy (16 points commenced)
BMS151 Health and the Human Body – Cells, Microbiology, Tissues and Skin
GER204 Ageing and Professional Practice
HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation
Session 2
BMS150 Functional Anatomy ( completed)
BMS152 Health and the Human Body – Musculoskeletal and Immunology
HIP112 Communication for Health Practice
SOC108 Sociology of Health and Healthcare
Session 3
BMS253 Health and the Human Body – Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
HIP202 Research for Health Practice
POD202 Introduction to Clinical Podiatric Practice
Session 4
BMS225 Pharmacology 1
BMS234 Podiatric Anatomy and Biomechanics
BMS254 Health and the Human Body – Endocrine, Reproduction and Gastrointestinal
POD213 Clinical Podiatric Practice
Session 5
POD306 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice (16 points commenced)
POD307 Medicine 1 (Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Pathology)
POD308 Medicine 2 (The Diabetic Foot and Chronic Wound Management)
[ ] Restricted Elective
Session 6
POD306 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice (completed)
POD312 Podiatric Surgery and Pharmacology
POD315 Medicine 3 (Mental Health, Neurological and Vascular Medicine)
POD316 Sports Medicine (and Electrophysical Agents)
Session 7
POD403 Clinical Podiatric Residency (16 points commenced)
POD404 Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice (16 points commenced)
POD405 Diagnostic Science for Podiatric Practice
POD406 Podopaediatrics
Session 8
POD403 Clinical Podiatric Residency (completed)
POD404 Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice (completed)
POD413 Professional Practice
POD414 Contemporary Issues in Podiatry
Session 5
HLT333 Community Health Honours Research Preparation (16 points commenced)
POD307 Medicine 1 (Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Pathology)
POD308 Medicine 2 (The Diabetic Foot and Chronic Wound Management)
POD309 Advanced Clinical Podiatric Practice for Honours
Session 6
HLT333 Community Health Honours Research Preparation (completed)
POD312 Podiatric Pharmacology and Surgery
POD315 Medicine 3 (Mental Health, Neurological and Vascular Medicine)
POD316 Sports Medicine (and Electrophysical Agents)
Session 7
HLT441 Community Health Honours Project (16 points commenced)
POD405 Diagnostic Sciences for Podiatric Practice
POD406 Podopaediatrics
POD407 Clinical Podiatric Residency and Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice for Honours (24 points commenced)
Session 8
HLT441 Community Health Honours Project (completed)
POD407 Clinical Podiatric Residency and Complex Cases in Podiatric Practice for Honours (completed)
POD413 Professional Practice
Students are required to complete eights points of restricted electives, chosen from the following:
ANT260 Indigenous Studies
BMS256 Exercise Science for Health Practice
BMS350 Health and Chronic Disease
GER204 Ageing and Professional Practice
IKC100 Reconciliation Education in a Health Context
NUT201 Food and Health
PSY111 Psychology for Health and Human Services
PSY214 Health Psychology
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
Previous studies include:
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.
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.
Acceptable tests for English proficiency
Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:
An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
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.
While there are no HSC/VCE subjects specified as prerequisites for admission, intending applicants are advised to include physics and biology. Chemistry is also recommended.
Non-recent school leavers will be assessed via a written application on a combination of work or industry experience, evidence of academic ability (studies undertaken) and, where applicable, demonstrated skills or proficiency as required for the course for which admission is being sought.
Applicants who believe they do not have an appropriate high school background are recommended to undertake the CSU STUDY LINK Chemistry course (fee paying). Further details may be obtained by contacting info.csu on 1800 334 733.
Non-recent school leavers have the option of sitting the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) administered by UAC. Refer to the UAC Guide for dates and locations for sitting the STAT test.
Applicants must complete an additional information form which is available by clicking here. Failure to do so could prejudice your entry to the course. Completed forms should be sent to the University by early December of the year prior to commencement of the course, to the address on the additional information form.
Students will be required to purchase a number of items of clinical equipment and a clinical uniform. Students are also responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses to and from their clinical placements. This can be expensive in the fourth year as currently two 8-week external placements are a requirement of the course.
Senior First Aid Certificate
All students are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate, obtained at their own cost, from an accredited body (Workcover approved) before undertaking clinical placements. This is to be attained before you undertake your first clinical practicum in your first year of study.
Criminal record clearance
The Department of Health in NSW and some other states currently require all staff at health facilities to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.
By definition, the term staff' includes students on clinical placements. All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and in some Victorian organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it difficult to complete this course satisfactorily because it may not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.
In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating if they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.
If you have any queries regarding this matter, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.
Immunisation
NSW Health have introduced an immunisation policy, Occupational Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases, for all staff at health facilities to undergo mandatory vaccination.
By definition, the term staff' includes students on clinical placements. All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented upon request by NSW Health staff whilst the student is on placement.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
 |
Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |