| YEAR |
| 2009 |
| |
| AWARD |
| Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Podiatric Practice |
| |
| LENGTH |
| 4 years |
| |
| CAMPUSES |
| MELBOURNE (BUNDOORA) |
| |
| COURSE DESCRIPTION |
This course gives students the skills and knowledge to prevent and treat disorders of the foot and ankle. As well as being taught the complex assessment and management skills used in podiatric practice, students learn to treat patients with complex medical conditions (such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis) and to work in specialised areas of podiatry, such as sports injuries, paediatrics and surgery. Students' strong theoretical knowledge is enhanced through extensive clinical training; they become directly involved in treating patients at La Trobe's on-site podiatry clinic, and also undertake external placements at hospitals, health centres and private practices.
Students attend clinical placement in hospitals and other clinical settings under the supervision of a clinician from second year onwards. The Department of Podiatry conducts its own clinic at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus and students become directly involved in the treatment of patients. Additional clinical experience is gained through external placement at hospitals, health centres and private practices.
First year: An interdisciplinary common year in which students undertake units alongside peers from across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus is on basic human biosciences and factors influencing health and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors.
Second year: Students develop podiatric skills and further explore the underpinning human biosciences and public health.
Third year: Students undertake more extensive clinical placements in order to develop professional knowledge and skills in authentic clinical learning environments.
Fourth year: Students apply their knowledge and practical skills to the management of disorders across the life span using case-based learning techniques. |
| |
| MAJOR AREAS OF STUDY |
| Podiatry, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics. |
| |
| OVERSEAS STUDY OPPORTUNITIES |
| Overseas study opportunities are available. |
| |
| TUITION FEE ($AUD) |
| Fees are indexed and may increase by up to 7% per year |
| 19,250 |
| |
| SCHOLARSHIPS |
| Scholarships are available for high achieving students, please ask for further information. |
| |
| ADDITIONAL COSTS ($AUD) |
Approximate costs include: instruments - A$400, shirts- A$50, name tag - A$12, safety equipment - A$60, testing equipment - A$A60, immunisations - A$250-470, police check - A$14, plus students will need to purchase approved leather shoes.
Accommodation costs for clinical placement will vary according to the venue. |
| |
| ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS |
Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70%) PG1) level conducted by La Trobe University Language Centre; or
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0; or
TOEFL Paper-based Test: a minimum score of 575 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English; or
TOEFL Computer-based Test: a minimum score of 233 with a score of 5 in essay writing; or
TOEFL Internet-based Test: a minimum score of 88 with no individual score less than 22; or
or
Approved equivalent. |
| |
| ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS |
LTU Foundation Studies - 80 and least an A in English
Aust. Yr 12 (ENTER) 2008 (indicative only) - 76.55
International Baccalaureate - 28
Cambridge A Levels/STPM - 12
Sri Lankan A Levels - ABB
MICSS (UEC) - Ex Yr 12 FSP
Canada Secondary School (or CPU) - 80
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 34.9
Sweden Slutbetyg - VG/MVG
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 80
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8
National (China) Gao Kao - Faculty assessed
Shanghai (China) Gao Kao - Faculty assessed
Guangzhou (China) Gao Kao - Faculty assessed
Thailand (Matayoma 6) - GPA 3.2
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 3.0
If you do not meet these entry requirements you might be interested in La Trobe's Foundation Studies and Diploma Programs, which provide an alternative pathway to La Trobe's undergraduate program. |
| |
| SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS |
This course has a clinical component.
All students are required to obtain a police check and Working With Children (WWC) check before undertaking a clinical professional placement. |
| |
| SUBJECT PREREQUISITES |
| Two of Biology, Chemistry, Year 12 Mathematics or Physics. |
| |
| SEMESTER STARTS |
| Semester 1 (March) |
| |
| INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE |
| The following types of industry experience are available in this course. |
| |
| Workplace experience for academic credit |
| |
| If the industry experience program is not a registered part of their course a student will need to hold work rights on their visa, this permits the student to work up to 20 hours per week when their course is in session and unlimited hours outside these times. However, if a student has completed their course and their student visa is expiring they will need to apply for another visa with work rights rather than renewing their student visa based on undertaking industry experience. |
| |
| CAREER OPPORTUNITIES |
Excellent employment opportunities exist in private practice, hospitals, community health centres, sports medicine clinics, geriatric centres, nursing homes and teaching.
Podiatrists may work as a sole practitioner or part of a multidisciplinary team. Opportunities exist in both the private and public sectors, with 70 per cent of practitioners in Victoria working in the private sector. Many private practices are developed in conjunction with other health care professionals, such as General Practitioners or physiotherapists for example. Public sector opportunities exist in community health centres and hospitals. |
