Flexible podiatry pathway opens new doors for students
A new flexible approach to podiatry education at CQUniversity is already attracting more students to the profession, with the first cohort of first-year students recently gathering in Rockhampton for the University’s first residential school for its mixed-mode Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours).
CQUniversity has been a pioneering Australian university in the implementation of a mixed-mode Podiatry course, combining online theoretical learning with practical components delivered through in-person residential schools.
From Term 1 2026, the course was adapted to offer a mixed-mode enrolment option, allowing students to complete most of their theoretical studies online before travelling to Rockhampton for practical learning, placements, and face-to-face assessments.
The on-campus commitments are delivered in blocks, meaning students generally only need to travel to Rockhampton once per term and do not need to relocate to complete their degree.
Head of Course for Podiatry and Senior Lecturer Dr Benjamin Peterson said the new model was already showing signs of making podiatry education more accessible.
“Podiatry has traditionally required students to relocate or attend university on campus, which can make studying the profession difficult for people who are working, have family commitments or live outside a major regional centre,” Dr Peterson said.
“Our mixed-mode model provides another pathway. Students can undertake most of their theoretical learning online and then come together for intensive periods of hands-on learning and assessment in Rockhampton.
“What we are seeing so far is that this approach is attracting students who may not otherwise have been able to study podiatry through a traditional face-to-face model.”
The first cohort recently completed their inaugural residential school, with students travelling from across Queensland and interstate - from Mackay through to Melbourne – to attend.
First-year student Kara Romito said it was purely due to the mixed-mode format that she was able to enrol in the degree.
"Being a self-employed mum to two young boys and living an hour away from the CQU campus, the mixed mode Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours) has made studying podiatry genuinely achievable for me,” Kara said.
“The flexibility to access lectures and tutorials online - at times that fit around my family and work commitments - has been invaluable.
“This flexible format has truly made it possible for me to pursue a profession I’m passionate about, which otherwise wouldn’t have been accessible."
Dr Peterson said the residential school had provided students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate foundational clinical skills that are essential to their future practice as podiatrists.
“While our students can complete much of their learning online, there are skills that simply need to be developed and demonstrated in person. Mixed-mode students are required to demonstrate all of the same skills, knowledge, and professional capabilities as students enrolled in traditionally delivered on-campus courses.”
Lecturer in Podiatry Jarrod McGuiness was the unit coordinator for the first residential school and said the sessions allowed students to get hands-on with the practical side of podiatry, while working alongside their peers and learning directly from experienced academics and clinicians.
“It was fantastic to see our first mixed-mode cohort come together in Rockhampton to put their theoretical knowledge into practice,” Mr McGuiness said.
“Over the course of this residential school, students learnt how to assess the vascular and neurological systems of the lower limbs, tested joint range of motion and muscle strength, managed infection control, applied padding and sports taping and undertook routine foot and nail care,” he explained.
“They were also introduced to the use of clinical instruments including scalpels and learnt about clinical documentation and other essential aspects of podiatric practice.”
The flexible delivery model also provides students with greater opportunities to balance their studies with employment and other commitments, including potentially working in podiatry assistant roles while completing their degree.
Dr Peterson said the approach was particularly important as Australia worked to address a growing demand for podiatry services.
“There is currently approximately one podiatrist for every 4,500 people in Australia, so there is a clear need to train more podiatrists and make the profession accessible to a broader range of students,” he said.
“By removing some of the geographical and logistical barriers associated with traditional university study, we can provide opportunities for people who may have previously thought a podiatry career was out of reach.
“We are very encouraged by the increase in first-year enrolments and are anticipating further growth in 2027 and beyond.”
While the current mixed-mode cohort is primarily made up of students from Queensland, the Bachelor of Podiatry is open to students from across Australia, with some students already enrolling from interstate.
Dr Peterson said the University hoped to see more students from other regions take advantage of the flexible study option in the future.
“Our aim is to broaden access to podiatry education and, ultimately, contribute to building the podiatry workforce across Australia,” he said.
“This model means students don't have to move to Rockhampton to become a podiatrist. They can maintain their connection to their local community while travelling to CQU for the intensive practical components of their degree, while external placements will expose students to a wide variety of practice areas.”
Find out more about how you can study Podiatry at CQUniversity by visiting the Bachelor of Podiatry page.
