Southern Cross University hopes the introduction of its first Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree in 2025 will help people in coastal regions to “live their best lives”.
The degree will be offered through the University’s Coffs Harbour campus in an area where there is a high demand for physiotherapists.
Chair of Human Sciences and Rehabilitation at Southern Cross University, Associate Professor Chris Stevens, said the degree would enable people living in the coastal region to qualify as physiotherapists to help meet this community need.
“This is an important new degree that complements our existing suite of rehabilitation courses in clinical exercise physiology, osteopathy and occupational therapy,” Professor Stevens said.
“The course develops graduates as physiotherapy practitioners who implement a person-centred, evidence-based approach in their practice, with a focus on care of patients and protection of the public.
“Cultural capability is an important component of the degree and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework will be incorporated, enabling graduates to work in diverse health care settings, with people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds.”
The four-year full-time degree will give students knowledge and skills to provide client-centred care, through an understanding of functional human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, pain sciences, therapeutic exercise, psychology and pharmacology.
It will also explore acute, chronic, acquired and developmental conditions and injury across the lifespan.
With one year of professional placements ensuring competency of practice is met, students will graduate job-ready.
Professor Maria Constantinou, who is leading development of the degree program, said working with local communities to produce health professionals to service those communities was a legacy she was proud to be involved with.
As Southern Cross University’s first Professor of Physiotherapy, her mission is to help students see the gift they can give to people in their own community and around the world – the gift of remaining active and living their best lives.
“I tell students, it’s important to learn to give because often you will get more back,” she said.
“Wherever you go as a physiotherapist, you need empathy, an ability to communicate and a desire to help.”
Professor Constantinou has a long and distinguished career, spending 14 years working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and aged care facilities before returning to study to earn her Master of Sports Physiotherapy.
She graduated just as the world’s top athletes prepared to descend upon Sydney for the Olympic Games.
In 2000, Professor Constantinou volunteered for the Host Nation’s medical team, which opened her eyes to the inequitable access to medical and physiotherapy services among competing countries.
“The athletes might have the same physical skills but, because they haven’t had the same support, they may not perform at their peak and often battle long-standing injuries,” she said. “There were teams with no physiotherapists in their country.
“The athletes were so grateful. The rewards you get may not be tangible, but they are immense. They will be with you for the rest of your life.”
Professor Constantinou went on to work at major international sporting events over several decades, trained professionals in many small developing nations and once served as personal physiotherapist to tennis titan, Serena Williams.
“It is so valuable to see the passion, determination and focus that an elite athlete has to achieve their goal. That’s Serena,” she said.
“It is really important that you listen to athletes, hear what they want and what they need, as they know their body better than anybody else.”
Southern Cross University is ranked number one in Australia for full-time employment in Health Services and Support (Good Universities Guide 2024).
*The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is subject to accreditation.
Learn more on the SCU website.
