Clinical Exercise

Course Overview
The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise enables clinicians to prescribe exercise as a disease preventative and treatment modality in a safe, effective, and scientific manner. The Diploma will go beyond the scope of the Certificate by teaching students how to critically appraise relevant literature, what is needed to conduct clinical research, and how to appropriately analyse data. There is also a practical element involved in the Diploma, as such students will learn and be examined on the practical skills needed to measure outcomes associated with clinical exercise prescription.

The P.Grad.Dip. in Clinical Exercise will be delivered over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Students will engage in material online but will also be required to come to the Exercise Laboratory in Trinity College Dublin for one week in order to complete practical classes and a practical exam.

Is This Course For Me?
The programme is open to graduates from medicine, nursing, dietetics and nutrition, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and physiology.

Course Structure
This Postgraduate Diploma can be completed in one or two academic years and will be made up of 60 ECTS. With the exception of one blended module, all course material will be online with some material presented in real time (synchronous live webinars) and some material recorded for students to complete in their own time. All students will be required to have a computer with good internet access a microphone and a webcam.

The Diploma in Clinical Exercise consists of seven modules: The Cardiovascular and Respiratory System; Physical Activity and Exercise; Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease and Exercise Prescription for Clinical Populations; Advancements in Clinical Exercise; Exercise and Metabolism; and Practical Applications of Clinical Exercise.

Students will be assessed through the timely submission of written work, the completion of multiple-choice quizzes and a practical exam. Marks will also be awarded for substantial relevant contributions to discussion boards and for engagement with online learning resources.

Admission Requirements
The programme is open to applicants with an NFQ Level-8 qualification or equivalent professional degree at 2.1 level (or equivalent) in the field of medicine, nursing, dietetics and nutrition, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy or physiology. Graduates from other degree courses will be assessed on an individual basis.

Applicants who do not fit these criteria, but who have clinical experience will be assessed on an individual basis by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Closing Date: 31 July 2024

1 year full-time / 2 years part-time, online.

Next Intake: September 2024

Career Opportunities
Graduates of this course have gone on to work in the health sector, in a public or private hospital setting, community health, occupational rehabilitation, private clinic, sport and further education or research.