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Postgraduate

Master of Strength and Conditioning

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Master of Strength and Conditioning (MASC)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Jan, May
Intakes

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Overview

  • Make a strong choice for your career progression in elite sport with UniSQ’s Master of Strength and Conditioning and work in high-performance settings training athletes to lift their game.
  • Learn from world-leading, international coaches and researchers who have worked with sports elite: 
    • National teams preparing for Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, world championships, and world cups
    • Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists
    • National league team in the NRL, AFL, NBL, WNBL, and Super Netball.
  • Developed in consultation with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) to meet international standards, this is a great opportunity for sport and exercise science, clinical exercise physiology, or related graduates who are looking to progress their career with an industry-relevant strength and conditioning qualification.
  • Strike a healthy balance between study and life, by studying online when and where it suits you. 
  • Gain plenty of hands-on skills from our national and international sporting partners during industry placement opportunities.
  • You can choose between two study streams: 
  1. The Coursework track provides specialised work-integrated learning skills and practical experience working with sport clubs or elite athletes to prepare you for a professional career in strength and conditioning.
  2. The Research project track develops your research skills and allows you to write a research thesis based on a project in a chosen strength and conditioning application area.

Further study

Successful completion of Research project track stream within the Master of Strength and Conditioning qualifies you to apply for the Master of Research or Doctor of Philosophy.

Thinking of studying in 2024? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Professional accreditation

Successfully completing the Master of Strength and Conditioning supports your application for accreditation as a strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), which is endorsed by Sport Australia. 

Career outcomes

  • Graduates can find work within high-performance settings such as sport schools, academies and institutes of sport, law enforcement, military and rescue professions, universities, youth athlete development programs, or work within community sport and recreation programs that specialise in strength and conditioning and physical performance optimisation. 
  • Career progression from Strength and Conditioning coach to Strength and Conditioning Lead or Director of Strength and Conditioning.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

  • Completion of an Australian university 3-year or 4-year bachelor degree in the area of sport and exercise science, or equivalent, or a relevant health-related discipline;
    or
  • Completion of a Graduate Diploma in the area of sport and exercise science, or relevant health-related discipline;
    or
  • Completion of UniSQ's Graduate Diploma of Strength and Conditioning.

There are inherent requirements that must be met in order to successfully complete this degree. Inherent requirements are fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree, while maintaining the academic integrity of the degree. Please read and understand the inherent requirements specific to the Master of Strength and Conditioning before applying.

If you think you may experience any problems meeting inherent requirements, you can talk to a Student Equity Officer about reasonable adjustments that may be put in place to assist you. Any reasonable adjustments made must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 7.0 or equivalent. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Additional requirements for placements

Practical experience is an integral component of the Coursework track and each student is required to undertake and successfully complete 160 hours of practical experience (80 hours per semester).

All students must provide the following documents prior to commencing clinical placements (coursework track):

  • Blue Card or Working with Children Check
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)
  • Australian Police Certificate
  • Resume
  • UniSQ Student Declaration
  • UniSQ Placement Request Form

All students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing industry placements:

  • Hepatitis B immunisation
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunisation
  • Varicella immunisation
  • Pertussis immunisation
  • Influenza immunisation
  • Tuberculosis Risk Assessment
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
  • Other immunisations as required by health services.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 16 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 10
4 x research track courses 
or
4 x coursework track courses		 6
Total 16

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Practical experience

Practical experience is an integral component of the Coursework track and each student is required to undertake and successfully complete 160 hours of practical experience (80 hours per semester if studying full-time).

Residential schools

You are required to attend two mandatory residential schools on the UniSQ Ipswich campus. The first residential school will be for 5 days (Monday - Friday) while the second spans 10 days (Monday through to the following Friday). More information on residential schools is available. 

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 26640
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 16323

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

Note: Commonwealth Supported places for this degree are available from 2024.

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1 or 2.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2024  Monday 22 January Monday 15 January Monday 22 January Friday 26 April 
Trimester 2, 2024 Monday 13 May Monday 6 May Monday 13 May  Friday 16 August

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

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What will I learn in a Master of Strength & Conditioning?

Our Master of Strength and Conditioning degree provides an exciting opportunity for professionals working in the sports and exercise science field, clinical exercise physiology, or other health related feels to enhance their existing skillsets.  

With an industry-relevant strength and conditioning qualification, you will have the expertise to work in high-performance settings, training athletes to optimise their performance.  

UniSQ’s Master of Strength and Conditioning provides you with the opportunity to choose from two study streams: 

  1. Coursework – work-integrated learning skills and practical experience with clubs or athletes. 
  2. Research project – write a research thesis based on a project in your chosen strength and conditioning application area. 
Why study a Master of Strength & Conditioning?
  • With a strength and conditioning qualification from UniSQ you will be eligible to apply for accreditation as a strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA). This accreditation is highly regarded in the profession and endorsed by Sport Australia. 
  • Continue to build on your expertise and use your Master of Strength and Conditioning degree as a stepping-stone to the Master of Research or Doctor of Philosophy. 
  • Learn from world-leading coaches and researchers who have worked with athletes competing in the Commonwealth games, Olympic Games, world championships and national leagues. 
  • If you don’t meet the entry requirements to study the Master of Strength and Condition, we have a pathway for you. UniSQ offers a number of bachelor degrees or graduate diplomas in sports and exercise or other health-related areas. 
What jobs can you get with a masters in strength and conditioning?

With a strength and conditioning qualification you will have the specialised knowledge to work within high-performance settings such as: 

  • Academies and institutes of sports 
  • Community sport and recreation programs 
  • Law enforcement 
  • Military and rescue 
  • Sports schools 
  • Youth athlete development programs.
Are flexible study options available?
Yes! Our postgraduate Master of Strength and Conditioning degree is available to study externally which gives you the flexibility to learn your subject theory online and attend on-campus residential schools. As an external student, you’ll experience the same level of support and opportunity to connect with others.   

You can also adjust your subject enrolment to meet your needs. Take one subject at a time, or study extra subjects when life allows it.  

View the degree structure information on this page for further details.
Why study with UniSQ?
  • UniSQ’s Master of Strength and Conditioning degree has been developed in consultation with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association which means you will have the specialised knowledge needed to be career-ready. 
  • As a sports and exercise student at UniSQ, you’ll benefit from a high ration of placement hours and gain the practical skills needed to ensure you’re ready for whatever work brings. 
  • According to the latest ERA results, our research in human movement and sports science is rated well above world standard.