Curtin University’s Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Science course has been accredited by Australia’s peak body in exercise and sports science, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), demonstrating the course is being taught to a national standard.
Associate Professor Kevin Netto, Director of Research, Curtin’s School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, said the accreditation was a tremendous achievement for the School which had its first intake of students into the course in 2012.
“The recently accredited Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Science course promotes theoretical and practical understanding of all aspects of exercise and sports science including exercise and sports physiology, biomechanics, motor control and learning, and exercise and sports psychology,” Associate Professor Netto said.
“An emphasis on client-centred practice encourages students to develop strong interpersonal communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills as they work with individuals, teams and other groups to assess physical abilities, design and implement training programs, and conduct performance evaluations for clients.
“The course also provides students with a unique blend of specialist, advanced laboratory spaces in both physiotherapy and exercise science. This has led to the cross-collaboration of teaching and research between the two closely-aligned disciplines.”
During the course development and accreditation process, a number of highly-qualified staff members, with expertise across biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control and sports psychology, joined the School.
“Staff from both physiotherapy and exercise science also co-teach in certain units and supervise honours, masters’ and PhD students in both disciplines,” Associate Professor Netto said.
“In addition, Curtin strategic alliance with Hockey Australia and the Fremantle Dockers will allow students unique practicum and research opportunities in elite, high performance environments.
“The Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Science course continues to grow from strength to strength and we are proud our efforts have been recognised through ESSA accreditation.”
The School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science will be running a short bridging course for students who commenced study in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to enable them to get accreditation as individual applicants.
All students who commenced study from 2015 onwards will automatically gain a Level 1 Exercise Scientist title from ESSA without needing to go through an individual application process.
For further information or to register for the bridging course, contact Rosette Corte Real on
(08) 9266 3500 or via marcina.cortereal@curtin.edu.au.
