Sports Physiotherapy

MSc Sports Physiotherapy
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

MSc Sports Physiotherapy provides postgraduate training that will equip the physiotherapist to work in sports and exercise physiotherapy at an international level

- will equip the physiotherapist with necessary criteria to apply for CPSEM level III accreditation.

- aims to integrate sports and exercise related sciences with physiotherapy practice..

Vision and Values Statement
This programme is aimed at students who wish to develop a career in sports and exercise related physiotherapy. This programme provides postgraduate education that will equip the physiotherapist with the criteria to apply for CPSEM level III accreditation and to work in sports physiotherapy at an international level. We value and encourage the students to be active, motivated and autonomous learners who develop a critical and reflective practice in sports physiotherapy. The programme offers specialised education in all aspects of sports physiotherapy, integrating science (exercise/pain physiology and biomechanics) with sports psychology, clinical examination, screening, manual and exercise physiotherapy. There is extensive exposure to practical sessions. Each candidate will be expected to work with a sports team of their choice or to carry a sports injury related patient load and to present case related work. Our teaching approach uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as lectures, practical sessions, case studies, project work, sports physiotherapy placement and on-line work in the design and delivery of the curriculum.

Programme Outcomes
• Be able to design and carry out a sports specific musculoskeletal screening procedures for injury prevention/ risk assessment.

• Be able to to design and implement a comprehensive treatment plan and display an awareness of when to refer a patient on for appropriate further investigations/interventions.

• Be competent in research methodology and critical evaluation of relevant literature.

• Demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning and critical analysis.

• Display an advanced understanding and practical ability to design and integrate execise interventions in to the prevention and treament of injury and disease.

• Display an understanding of sports psychology in relation to sports injuries to enable advanced physiotherapy management while considering psychological aspects as part of the injury management and successful return to sport.

• Display extensive knowledge of physiotherapy and related topics to understand and integrate foundational exercise and pain physiological, and biomechanical scientific concepts into clinical sports physiotherapy practice.

• Exhibit an advanced ability to assess sports and exercise related injuries.

• Stimulate, conduct and report upon scholarly research in their specialist area that maps to their career pathway.

• Understand and integrate their advanced knowledge and formulate judgements in complex situations within sports and exercise related physiotherapy.

The course will be delivered on a part-time basis over two years. Each semester will be run over approximately 14 weeks and will involve one full Friday per week and occasional Saturday sessions. Each candidate will be expected to be attached to a sporting team of their choice or to carry a sports injury related patient load and to present case related work. . There is a requirement to carry out a research project and to complete a dissertation to achieve an MSC in Sports Physiotherapy.

Who is MSc Sport Physiotherapy for?
The programme is open to physiotherapists eligible for ISCP registration with 2 years experience. Degree of BSc (Physiotherapy) (NUI) or other primary degree or other qualification leading to eligibility for membership of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP).

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Sports Physiotherapy PT (X013)
Deadline: Rolling *

2 years part time.

Careers & Employability
The current national accreditation developments in Sports Physiotherapy now requires post graduate degrees in the relevant areas to enable you to work with higher level organisations and teams. This programme has a proven track record in giving the graduates the means to achieve accreditation and top positions in the area of Sports and exercise physiotherapy.