Course overview
- Description
The UWA Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a three-year post-graduate programme for entry into professional practice as a Podiatrist. There are two pathways for entry to the course as detailed below. The DPM course aims to produce graduates who are dedicated, professional, accountable, skilled and compassionate podiatrists. Graduates are equipped with the clinical and professional attributes required for successful entry to practice.
The DPM program is a full time three year program with two extended semesters of equal length per year. Year 1 of the program covers biomedical science and pre-clinical knowledge and skills for the podiatrist, while years two and three build on this by delivering and developing theoretical and practical aspects of podiatric medicine along with student research projects. These subjects help students to understand, develop and synthesis the key areas of podiatric medicine in the assessment, diagnosis and management of diseases and conditions that affect the lower limb, and to take a leading role in the interdisciplinary management of foot and ankle problems.
In Year 2 of the program all UWA DPM students cover more in depth the theoretical and practical aspects of podiatric medicine, alongside supporting subjects in research and therapeutics. All students are required at this time to choose and undertake a supervised research project which follows their training in research methods This research project continues to the conclusion of Year 3. Following this, in addition to more advanced coverage of theoretical and practical podiatry, all UWA DPM third year students undergo block placements in private practices, tertiary care facilities, and are offered places to attend block rural placements from Broome to Esperance, to learn patient management in the workplace environment. Rurally placed students complete the same curriculum as the urban students, but in a longitudinal and integrated clinical setting.
There are a number of specialised discipline areas covered in clinical and theoretical podiatric medicine such as biomechanics, sports medicine, minor surgery, the diabetic and acute high risk foot, geriatric and paediatric podiatry, podiatric surgery, as well as general practice. The study of podiatric medicine in the DPM addresses the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a competent podiatrist.
- Course title
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
- Award abbreviation
- DPM
- Course code
- 91870
- Course type
- Professional practice master's degree
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Allied Health
- CRICOS code
- 075343A
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year only
- Attendance type
- Full-time only
- Credit points required
- 144
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 3 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 96 points of taught units and 48 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 3 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 144 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Time limit
- 9 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Dr Catherine Crabb and Dr Burke Hugo
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Year 1
Students who have not completed the Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences Major MJD-PHMSC must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 48 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | PODI3000 | Professionalism in Practice (0 points) |
| 4 - 8 hrs per week to achieve 20 hours in total over the unit availability period. |
| NS | PODI3111 | Body Systems 1 |
| 6 hours per week |
| S1 | PODI3112 | Clinical Podiatric Practice 1 |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
| S1 | PODI3113 | Anatomy and Cutaneous Science |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: laboratories, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
| S2 | PODI3114 | Podiatric Biomechanics |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
| NS | PODI3115 | Body Systems 2 |
| Approximately 6 hours per week |
| S2 | PODI3116 | Clinical Podiatric Practice 2 |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
| S2 | PODI3117 | Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists 1 |
| Approximately 6 hours per week |
| S2 | PODI3118 | Research and Evidence in Practice |
| Approximately 6 hours per week |
Year 2
Take all units (48 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | PODI4000 | Research Project Development (0 points) | 2-4 hours per week, up to approximately 75 hours | |
| S1 | PODI4221 | Podiatric Populations 1 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| S1 | PODI4222 | Clinical Podiatric Practice 3 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| S1 | PODI4223 | Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists 2 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| S1 | PODI4224 | Research Project Planning | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures and a combination of: seminars, workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| S2 | PODI4225 | Podiatric Populations 2 |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
| NS | PODI4226 | Clinical Podiatric Practice 4 |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
| S2 | PODI4227 | Podiatric Surgery and Clinical Therapeutics | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| S2 | PODI4228 | The High Risk Foot |
| Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. |
Year 3
Take all units (48 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PODI5331 | Podiatric Populations 3 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| NS | PODI5332 | Clinical Podiatric Practice 5 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| NS | PODI5333 | Extended Placement 1 | Full time clinical placement (Monday - Friday): Approximately 37 hours per week for 8 weeks block placement | |
| NS | PODI5334 | Research Project 1 | Approximately 3 hours of contact per week via lectures, seminars, e-learning sessions and self directed online learning, and self directed data collection time allocated for approximately 3 hours per week. | |
| S2 | PODI5335 | Podiatric Populations 4 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| NS | PODI5336 | Clinical Podiatric Practice 6 | Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning. | |
| NS | PODI5337 | Extended Placements 2 | Full time clinical placement (Monday - Friday): Approximately 37 hours per week for 8 weeks block placement | |
| NS | PODI5338 | Research Project 2 | Approximately 3 hours of contact per week via lectures, seminars, e-learning sessions and self directed online learning, and self directed data collection time allocated for approximately 3 hours per week. |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3.(1) To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
(2) Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0.
(3) Applicants with qualifications from overseas institutions where English is not the medium of instruction as recognised by AHPRA, must provide evidence of English language competence.
Admission requirements
4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) a selection Weighted Average Mark (sWAM) of at least 65 per cent;
and
(c) demonstrated adequate knowledge in two of the following areas at a tertiary level: anatomy, human biology, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, biological chemistry, or biochemistry.
(2) a current Australian National Police Certificate, or equivalent certification, indicating no criminal convictions. The currency of a National Police Certificate is 12 months.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—
(a) a structured interview in which eligible applicants will be assessed based on the personal qualities considered desirable in allied health practitioners;
and
(b) the intake quota for that year;
and
(c) a selection score determined by the sWAM and interview score for non-rural applicants, or the sWAM, interview score and rurality ranking for rural applicants
OR
(d) entry via an assured pathway
OR
(e) entry via an indigenous pathway
Articulations and exit awards
6. This course does not form part of an articulated sequence.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 144 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 48 points.
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed the Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences Major MJD-PHMSC are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 48 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) The School of Allied Health, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, may assign a progress status of 'On Probation' or 'Excluded' to a student who does not make satisfactory progress under Rule 8.
(2) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, and except as set out in (3), The School of Allied Health, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, will assign a progress status of 'On Probation' to a student who fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8.
(3) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, the School of Allied Health, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, will assign a progress status of 'Excluded' to a student who who fails to make satisfactory progress under the progression rules in a year in which they have a progress status of 'On Probation'.
(4) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, the School of Allied Health, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, will assign a progress status of 'Excluded' to a student who—
(a) fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8 and has previously repeated two years of the course; or
(b) fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8 in the same year of the course for a second time.
(5) A student who is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded' under (3) (a) or (b) will not be permitted to re-enrol in the course.
[Approved exception to University Policy]
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants are not permitted to defer admission to this course and are expected to commence their course in the offered intake only. Approved leave is not available during the first academic year of this course. Applicants seeking admission to an alternative intake must submit a new application for that intake.
Additional rules
Supplementary assessment
14.(1) Subject to (2) the Board of Examiners will provide an opportunity for supplementary assessment to a student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 inclusive in a unit.
(2) The Board of Examiners will not provide an opportunity for supplementary assessment to a student who—
(a) failed more than two units in any calendar year;
or
(b) failed a deferred examination;
or
(c) has been assigned a progress status of 'on probation'.
Requirements of students on probation
15.(1) Students who have been assigned a progress status of ‘On Probation' must repeat all units that they have previously attempted in that year of the course.
Leave and retention of credit
16.(1) Students may apply for a period of approved leave in accordance with University Policy.
(2) Following a period of approved leave of less than two years, students retain credit for all units previously passed.
(3) Following a period of approved leave of two years or more, full credit is unable to be retained and students must repeat the units comprising the most recently completed year of the course.
Requirements to attend and complete prescribed work
17.(1) Students must attend compulsory teaching and undertake practical and clinical work at the University Podiatry Clinic, and other institutions as approved by the School of Allied health.
(2) Providing approval is granted, a student is permitted to take a maximum of 10 University days annually as leave. Leave can include compassionate leave, medical leave, personal/other leave.
(3) Leave is administered and managed as outlined in the UWA Division of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Student Handbook.
(4) Students who are absent for more than 5% of their total clinical sessions, or 10 clinical sessions, whichever applies in an academic year, will be required to make-up/replace any further clinical session missed during the remainder of the year.
Entry from the Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences Major at the University of Western Australia
18. Subject to completing other admission requirements, in recognition of prior learning, students who have satisfactorily completed the Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences Major (MJD-PHMSC) may be granted up to 48 points credit towards year 1 of the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
Advanced Standing
19. The School of Allied Health may grant advanced standing, credit or recognised prior learning for previously completed Podiatry units, if they were completed as part of a postgraduate Podiatry course as per university policy on credit transfer, advanced standing and/or recognised prior learning.
Infection Control Requirements
20. At admission and during their enrolment, students must comply with the School of Allied Health's Infection Control Requirements as appended to the UWA Policies on Admission and Student Enrolment.
First Aid Course Requirements
21. At the time of enrolment students must show first aid with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) competence equivalent to assessment requirements for HLTAID003, valid for no more than three years.
Australian National Police Clearance
22. At admission and annually during enrolment, students must provide a clear current Australian National Police Clearance or equivalent certification.
Incidental Fees
23.
(a) Students may incur incidental fees for travel and accommodation costs for certain rural and remote placement destinations as a part of the experiential learning component of this course.
(b) Other incidental fees included in this course are relating to rules (22), (23) and (24).
(c) Other incidental fees for specific units are detailed in the relevant unit.
Working With Children check
24. At admission and annually during enrolment, students must provide a clear current Working with children's check certificate, card or equivalent certification.