Master of Applied Sport Science

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2020 course information

Award granted Master of Applied Sport Science
Course Map

These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2020:

These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2020:

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2020:

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Campus

This course is only offered in Cloud (online) mode with on campus intensives

Cloud CampusYes
Duration

Trimester 1 commencing students: 1 year over 3 consecutive trimesters, or part-time equivalent

Trimester 2 commencing students: 1.5 years over 5 consecutive trimesters, or part-time equivalent

Trimester 3 commencing students: 1.5 years over 4 consecutive trimesters, or part-time equivalent

Deakin course codeH707
Approval statusThis course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

This industry-leading degree prepares you for the full spectrum of challenges faced by sport scientists and high-performance managers working at all levels of sport, from local to elite level. You will graduate with 220 hours of professional practice, or with the knowledge and skills to pursue entry into a PhD. Through our partnerships and your placements, you’ll build advanced skills and networks that open the door to senior roles.

If you are looking to elevate your career, why not do it with the number one sport science school in Australia?*

Jobs in the sports industry are set to rise in the next five years.^ But that doesn’t mean sport scientists expecting career growth can afford to be complacent. An industry that demands so much of its athletes also demands practitioners who are committed to self-improvement and finding new ways of optimising performance. Deakin’s Master of Applied Sport Science prepares you for this pursuit. It provides valuable professional development opportunities and trains you in skills that give you an edge in a competitive job market. You’ll study at the cutting-edge of sport science, access world-class facilities and benefit from extensive industry partnerships that help move your career forward.

The course prepares you for both the technical and managerial aspects of high performance sport. Build specialised skills in:

  • high-performance management
  • advanced sport performance analysis
  • strength and conditioning
  • training design and program evaluation
  • scientific processes for sport scientists.

Complement these skills by boosting your management capabilities through studies in leadership, culture development and continuous improvement. These management skills don’t just make you more employable – they give you the ability to implement systems to optimise opportunities for team success and allow you to develop your support staff as well as your athletes. Importantly, you will get to practise your new skills in simulated and real sports science settings. Just a few examples of these practical learning experiences include:

  • 220 hours of professional practice – work at an organisation that matches your career aspirations and see what it’s like to be a leading voice within a high performance team.
  • Research projects – work with a supervisory team to produce a critical review of literature that can be published in a journal relevant to your career path – and be ready for entry into a PhD.
  • Hands-on access to world-class facilities – study, work and play at our new multi-million dollar Specialised Indoor Exercise and Sport Science Teaching Building and Elite Regional Sports Precinct.

The curriculum is underpinned by science and research. You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate and apply research to make confident, evidence-based decisions in your role. Better still, you will have direct access to academics with expertise in a broad range of sport science and nutrition fields. This includes specialist researchers within Deakin’s multidisciplinary Centre for Sport Research (CSR) and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN).

These ties to industry extend to our extensive partnerships. We have a network of over 150 industry connections, including Netball Australia, Geelong Football Club, Deakin Melbourne Boomers, Cricket Victoria, Swimming Australia, Tennis Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport. This gives our sport science students a big advantage. It means that everything you study is closely linked to the state of the industry. It also gives you the opportunity to learn alongside established professionals, building relationships that shape your career.

The Master of Applied Sport Science is available on our premium online learning platform. This gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, so you can complete your degree on your terms.

*Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2018
^ Australian Government 2018 Occupation Projections

Indicative student workload

As a student in a Cloud (online) course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend at least 11-13 hours per unit every week participating in a range of teaching activities each week. This will include online learning activities and may be inclusive of online discussion boards and seminars. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.

Professional recognition

To become an Accredited Sport Scientist (ASpS) with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA), graduates need to be able to meet the ESSA ASpS requirements.

The Master of Applied Sport Science is one component of the requirements that may allow you to become a Level 2 Accredited Sports Scientist. Visit the Exercise & Sport Science Australia website for more details on gaining accreditation.

Career opportunities

The course prepares you for career growth in the sports science industry. Graduate with a sought-after combination of sports science and managerial skills that set you up for success in roles such as:

  • high performance manager
  • sports scientist
  • strength and conditioning coach
  • rehabilitation coach
  • sports performance analyst

Looking to become an Accredited Sports Scientist? This course may enable you to meet the study requirements to become a Level 1 or Level 2 Accredited Sports Scientist. Other requirements, such as work experience, may apply. Visit the Exercise & Sports Science Australia website for more details on gaining accreditation.

Accredited Sports Scientists are becoming more and more highly sought after by national and local sporting organisations across the country, with many organisations now choosing to exclusively hire sports scientists with a minimum level 1 accreditation as an Accredited Sports Scientist

Participation requirements

HSE721, HSE724, HSE725 and HSE726 require attendance at a week-long intensive

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.

Pathways

Students completing the appropriate elective (HSE729) with the appropriate grade (>70%) will be eligible for entry into higher degree by research (i.e., PhD) studies.

Alternative exits

There are two alternative exit points available from H707 Master of Applied Sport Science:

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities

Apply expert and integrated knowledge of sport science to sport performance related problems and contribute to the development of new knowledge through use of appropriate research principles and methods of sport sciences.

Communication

Use appropriate modes of communication to interpret, contextualize and transmit evidence based sport science knowledge to specialist and non- specialist audiences. Create, disseminate, and exchange sport science knowledge with a view to inform and effect change at the individual and organisational level.

Digital Literacy

Use digital technologies to effectively locate, use, curate and disseminate information and resources relevant to sport science and to connect, engage and share with professional networks and communities.

Critical thinking

Critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in sport science.

Problem Solving

Investigate complex sports science problems and respond effectively using an evidence-based framework and a range of sources to identify and define problems, locate, analyse and organise information, and generate and evaluate practical solutions, contributing new insights or understanding.

Self-management

Employ high level personal responsibility, accountability and autonomy to demonstrate expert judgement, adaptability to new situations and responsibility as a sport scientist. Plan, implement, evaluate and continually adapt strategies to learn and work effectively, autonomously and responsibly.

Teamwork

Establish, contribute to and maintain a key role in collaborative and interdisciplinary relationships, with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes to advance sport sciences across the broad spectrum of contexts. 

Global Citizenship

Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates a high level of personal autonomy, awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in sport sciences. 

 

Course rules

To complete the Master of Applied Sport Science students must attain 12 credit points.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Course structure

Core units

Year 1 - Trimester 1

HAI010Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

HSE720Athlete and Program Development in High Performance Sport

HSE722The Scientific Process for Sports Scientists

HSE724Strength and Conditioning Methods for Athletes ^

HSE726Sport Performance Analysis ^

Year 1 - Trimester 2

HSE723Data Analysis and Program Evaluation for Sports Scientists +

HSE727Advanced Sport Performance Analysis +

HSE728Applied Sport Science Project - Part 1

Year 1 - Trimester 3

HSE721High Performance Management in Sport ^

HSE725Factors Influencing Training Design for Sport ^+

Plus

HSE729Applied Sport Science Project - Part 2 *+

Or

HSE730Professional Placement and Development *+

^ Unit with on campus intensive activities.

* Students will be able to undertake the research pathway with HSE728 and HSE729 OR the professional pathway with HSE728 and HSE730.

+ Unit has prerequisite unit/s

Work experience

Work integrated learning

For those enrolled in HSE730 Professional Practice a minimum of 220 hours of practical experience in an exercise and sport science work practicum in the final trimester is required.

You have the opportunity to undertake hands-on experience in a variety of sporting environments. These may vary from local, state or national sporting organisations, elite and semi-elite sporting clubs and state and national institutes of sport.


Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.