#1 sport science school in the world
Exercise and Sports Science Australia accreditation pathway
300+ hours clinical placement
Why choose clinical exercise physiology at Deakin
Study with the world's #1 sport science school and prepare for a career supporting people with chronic conditions through evidence-based exercise. Deakin's Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is recognised for teaching excellence, graduate employability and hands-on clinical learning. From your first trimester, you will gain experience working with real clients in a community-facing clinical environment, building practical skills under professional supervision. Across the course, you will complete 300+ hours of clinical placement in diverse health settings.
This ESSA-approved pathway supports your progression towards becoming an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Grounded in science and research, you will develop the clinical reasoning skills to assess, prescribe and evaluate exercise interventions for a wide range of conditions, injuries and disabilities.
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#1 sport science school in the world
Study at the world’s top-ranked sport science school and learn from experts in clinical exercise and rehabilitation.
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Early clinical experience
Work with real clients from your first trimester, building confidence in a supervised clinical environment.
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Extensive clinical placement
Complete 300+ hours of placement across diverse health settings, applying your skills with real patients.
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Accredited clinical pathway
Graduate from an ESSA-approved course and progress towards Accredited Exercise Physiologist status.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Prepare for clinical exercise physiology careers supporting people with injury, disability and chronic health conditions.
Exercise physiologist
Use clinical exercise assessment and prescription to support people managing injury, disability or chronic health conditions.
- 8,000
New jobs projected by 2030
- $85K
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
- Rehabilitation consultant
- Health promotion officer
- Chronic disease program coordinator
- Exercise scientist
- Clinical research assistant
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology?
This masters degree builds advanced clinical exercise physiology capability, progressing from foundational knowledge into integrated assessment, treatment and professional practice. Your learning develops across two years, with practical experience embedded from your first trimester.
Foundations of clinical practice
Clinical assessment and screening
Conduct comprehensive health assessments and identify risk factors across diverse populations and clinical presentations.
Exercise prescription fundamentals
Design safe, evidence-based exercise interventions for individuals with chronic disease, injury and disability.
Applied clinical learning
Work with real clients from your first trimester in a supervised clinical setting, building practical skills early.
Advanced clinical application
Complex condition management
Deliver exercise interventions across conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and mental health.
Advanced clinical decision-making
Evaluate and adapt treatment plans using evidence-based approaches to optimise client outcomes.
Clinical placement
Complete a placement, working across diverse clinical and community health settings under professional supervision.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, you must pass 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Professional recognition
Deakin’s Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology is the first exercise physiology course in Victoria to be accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Students can apply to become an Accredited Exercise Physiologist upon completion of the course, and are then eligible for provider numbers with Medicare Australia, WorkSafe Victoria, DVA, TAC and other compensable funds and schemes.
Note: This course is accredited at the date of publishing. Eligibility for students seeking accreditation is subject to meeting the requirements of ESSA. Deakin University makes no representation that students will meet those requirements.
ESSA has implemented a new English language requirement if you’re seeking initial accreditation to show English language competence. Find out if you need to take an English language test. If you have any questions about this new requirement, please contact ESSA on 07 3171 3335 or info@essa.org.au.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
There are limited CSP places in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. Therefore CSP places are not guaranteed and are allocated according to time of receipt of a completed application.
Applications for CSP usually closes in mid-late November each year. Applications after received after this time are considered for full-fee places only.
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Working with Children Check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement units. Learn more about the Working with Children Check.
Police record check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement units.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
The course involves compulsory clinical placements of 360 clinical hours across the course. These hours are completed in 3 blocks, one internal practicum experience and two external practicum experiences. These practicums may require travel to regional or rural areas. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Work-Integrated Learning
This course provides you with the required knowledge and necessary skills, developed through theoretical and pre-clinical units to enable you to take full advantage of the three clinical placements on offer. The clinical placement program consists of a fully integrated internal and external placement system. The internal placements occur in the award winning Deakin Clinical Exercise Learning Centre (CELC) and Baker IDI Clinical Exercise Service, with supervision provided by expert AEPs. The external placements are in a wide variety of settings aligned to the scope of practice for clinical exercise physiologists and sometimes lead directly to future employment. All placements are organised by MCEP staff who will provide you with professional industry links, reinforce your understanding of the role of an AEP and give you extensive opportunities to gain practical knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable you to practise confidently in this field.
Additional costs incurred for clinical placement may include:
- Police check, up to $46, however a lesser rate is available when signed by the University Placement Officer
- Vaccinations: Students are expected to show evidence of vaccinations as per external placement requirements. Costs incurred will depend on the student’s vaccination status.
- Current First Aid and CPR certificate
- Deakin Clinical Exercise Polo shirt, approximately $25
In addition, students may be required to complete a placement in a setting away from their current residence, i.e. a regional or rural placement. Any costs associated with this placement will be at the expense to the student. Further information for student financial support can be found at General Student Loans.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply knowledge of clinical exercise physiology to provide appropriate exercise prescription. |
| Communicate clinical exercise physiology theory and practice effectively to a range of audiences. |
| Utilise various forms of information and apply them to authentic problems in clinical exercise physiology. |
| Utilise research to inform appropriate clinical exercise physiology decision making. |
| Apply evidence based practice clinical exercise physiology solutions to chronic and complex clinical conditions. |
| Reflect on practice and become an adaptable and responsible clinical exercise physiology practitioner. |
| Work effectively within clinical exercise physiology and interdisciplinary teams. |
| Be professional and ethical in clinical exercise physiology practice. |
- Award granted
- Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H743
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$9,880
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin. Places in this course are limited and entry is competitive, so we encourage you to submit your application early.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to the Graduate Certificate of Health Research Practice (H541)