Unit rationale, description and aim

Professional practice experience is an integral aspect of the transition from learner to practitioner, providing opportunities for the application of knowledge, understanding and skills in a work context. The aim of the unit is to prepare students for professional practice opportunities, categorising professional skills and attributes, career planning and determining professional skills and attributes for professional practice.

2025 0

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Prerequisites

(BIOL124 Human Body in Health and Disease 1 OR BIOL125 Human Biology 1 ) AND (EXSC118 Nutrition and Exercise OR NUTR101 Introduction to Nutrition ) AND EXSC187 Growth, Motor Development and Ageing AND EXSC199 Psychology of Sport

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Be compliant for professional practice appropriate...

Learning Outcome 01

Be compliant for professional practice appropriate for ACU work integrated learning.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3

Understand the scope of practice of exercise scien...

Learning Outcome 02

Understand the scope of practice of exercise science, sports science and exercise physiologist in various work contexts
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1

Classify elements of risk and risk management, and...

Learning Outcome 03

Classify elements of risk and risk management, and recognise the ESSA code of Professional Conduct and Ethical practice relevant for professional practice
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1

Critically reflect upon your knowledge and skills ...

Learning Outcome 04

Critically reflect upon your knowledge and skills attained throughout your program of study and plan professional development and career aspirations
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC7

Content

The unit aims to prepare students for structured experiences in host organisations approved by the Professional Experience Coordinator and experience in branches of exercise and sports science in which students might seek employment after graduation. This includes:

  • Purpose of compliance in professional practice and work integrated learning
  • Explore principles and practices in Exercise Science, Sports Science and Exercise Physiology in a variety of settings
  • Explore risk management in exercise science and workplace contexts
  • Exercise and Sports Science Australia Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice
  • Career planning and determining relevant skills and experiences for successful practicum

Assessment strategy and rationale

In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, online modules have been designed to meet ACU-specific and discipline-specific professional practice requirements. The online modules align with the unit learning outcomes and provide appropriate feedback to guide students to correct response information. Each online module must be completed correctly to ensure that the student has read and understood each step in the practicum process, as a prerequisite to EXSC398 Professional Experience. All assessment tasks allow students to prepare for practicum experiences and apply knowledge from across the unit (VALIDITY). Additionally, all assessment tasks are assessed against a standardised marking guide (RELIABILITY).

Overview of assessments

Compliance for Practicum  Be compliant for profes...

Compliance for Practicum 

Be compliant for professional practice appropriate for ACU work integrated learning 

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1

Application and career planning  Student will rev...

Application and career planning 

Student will review and prepare their professional and academic experiences to be competitive for industry opportunities 

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO2, LO4

Scope of practice  Allows students to demonstrate...

Scope of practice 

Allows students to demonstrate understanding of Scope of practice for exercise science, sports science and exercise physiologist in professional practice contexts 

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO2

Risk, Code of Conduct and Ethical practice  Allow...

Risk, Code of Conduct and Ethical practice 

Allow students to classify elements of risk and risk management. Student will recognise the ESSA code of professional conduct and Ethical practice relevant for professional practice 

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO3

Critically reflection of Skills and Knowledge for...

Critically reflection of Skills and Knowledge for career planning 

Students will reflect upon their skills and knowledge attained in their program and plan professional development towards career aspirations.  

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO4

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This national unit is delivered a mixed model approach of learning strategies. It employs an active learning approach consisting of some self-directed learning, online and workshops. It is designed to provide students with access to the knowledge and understanding, resources and preparatory requirements necessary for sourcing, organising and completing meaningful professional practice experiences. These strategies will allow students to meet the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate accordingly.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Exercise & Sports Science Australia. http://www.essa.org.au/  

Exercise & Sports Science Australia. (2021) ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice. Retrieved from: https://www.essa.org.au/Public/Professional_Standards/ESSA_Code_of_Professional_Conduct___Ethical_Practice.aspx

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