Bachelor of Podiatry
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Program overview - What will I study?
- What does it take?
- Who will employ me?
- Detailed program information
- Student testimonials
- More information for future students
- Frequently asked questions
Program overview
Podiatry is concerned with diagnosing and treating disorders of the foot and lower leg. It involves preventive, palliative and corrective methods, and includes medical, mechanical, surgical, orthotic and manipulative procedures.
The Bachelor of Podiatry program trains students for a professional career
in podiatry and will enable them to work in private practice, hospitals or
community health centres. With opportunities to participate in extensive
clinical placements at the University-based Podiatry Clinic and within a
variety of professional settings, students can gain valuable practical
knowledge and skills required for modern podiatry practice.
What will I study?
The program provides instruction in basic physical and biological sciences; aspects of medicine and surgery relevant to diagnosing and treating foot abnormalities; a comprehensive range of the theoretical and practical aspects of podiatry; and social sciences appropriate to healthcare personnel.
Much of the introductory clinical teaching is undertaken within a community
clinic located on campus. All teaching and supervision within the Clinic is
undertaken by registered practising podiatrists. Students carry out
podiatric assessment and treatment on members of the public in a range of
clinical sessions, with the complexity of management increasing with each
year of study. The Clinic gives students a broad educational and practical
basis for understanding the practice of podiatry. It includes general
practice, biomechanics, podiatry surgery and paediatrics.
The experience students gain at the Clinic is supplemented with wide
exposure to learning and working in community-based clinics and hospitals in
both the Adelaide metropolitan area and rural communities, including
outreach clinics. In addition, students undertake a range of community
service activities involving the provision of screening, education and
treatment services in rural and remote areas under the supervision of
University staff. Students undertake over a thousand hours of clinical
placements during their program
An Honours stream is available for high achieving students in the final two
years of the program.
What does it take?
Students must have an interest in, and aptitude for, working with people on a one-to-one basis, promoting wellbeing and the health care profession in general. A podiatrist must be able to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds, and should be highly motivated and able to work autonomously. Given the hands-on nature of this work, excellent manual dexterity is an essential requirement.
Who will employ me?
Most podiatrists work in private practices, although an increasing number are employed in hospitals, community health centres and domiciliary care services. Graduates may initially work as assistants in private practices and many graduates open their own private practices after a short period.
After completing their undergraduate studies, podiatrists may have a
particular interest in dealing with certain client groups, for example
children, older people or sports people; working in areas such as
occupational health; or specialising in general medical conditions that
result in problems of the feet and legs. Many opportunities exist for
podiatrists with these interests to pursue further tertiary studies to
enhance their employment prospects.