Programmes | Health and Human Performance
Welcome to Dublin City University’s School of Health & Human Performance—an energetic hub where cutting-edge research, high-impact teaching and real-world practice converge to help people, teams and communities thrive. Whether you’re drawn to Athletic Therapy and Training, Sport Science and Health, our dual Physical Education pathways, or our growing suite of postgraduate, micro-credential and professional-doctorate options, every programme here is designed to fuse evidence-based science with hands-on experience, global industry links and a distinctly student-centred approach. Step inside, explore the paths below, and discover how DCU can equip you to lead, innovate and make a measurable difference in health, sport and human performance.
Test subject running on a treadmill
Sport Science and Health provides an academic foundation for individuals wishing to develop a career in a range of both sport and health-related environments. Sport and exercise scientists study, research and advise on the scientific factors influencing sport and exercise. From this detailed knowledge, they can give specialist advice based on research for the improvement of individual or team performance.
Testing upper limb reflexes
Athletic Therapy and Training deals with the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries affecting people involved in physical activity, exercise, and sport at all standards. The course also examines how to train physical fitness for reconditioning in sport and for a physically active lifestyle.
Badminton
Physical education has is an integral part of the education process, one that promotes the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child. Biology is a subject that is fundamental to the knowledge and understanding of the body and how it works, this makes it an excellent subject to combine with physical education.
Mathematics
Physical education has is an integral part of the education process, one that promotes the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child. Mathematics is a key subject in the understanding of the modern world, arising in areas as diverse as international financial systems and the use of statistics in sport. This makes the job of teaching mathematics hugely important.
Women's Health
The Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health (Level 9 NFQ, 30 ECTS) is a one year part-time, online programme. It is designed for those wanting to engage in education while working full-time and is suitable for any healthcare professional or sports practitioner who works with active women. Suitable professions include: physiotherapists, athletic therapists, public health nurses, practice nurses, and other specialist nurses or midwives, general practitioners, sport and exercise medicine physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, sports scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, athletic development coaches, exercise physiologists, Pilates instructors, and coaches.
Irish Women's 4x200m World Relays 2021
The MSc in Elite Sport Performance (Level 9 NFQ, 90 ECTS) is a two-year, part-time, distance-learning programme that provides students with an opportunity to complete a programme of study focused on theories and practice of sport performance and develop an advanced understanding of research methodologies and reflective and critical skills.
This programme is aimed at early-career professionals working in the sport domain, and those with aspirations to work in this environment, who are motivated to extend their knowledge and understanding of elite sport performance and deepen discipline-specific expertise through postgraduate study.
Sprinter and coach
The Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (Sport) (Level 10 NFQ, 240 ECTS) is a four year part-time, blended learning programme, comprising both research and taught elements. The programme will exploit the working context of students by supporting them to develop evidence-based solutions to their ‘real world’ workplace problems from across the sporting landscape.
Aimed at the next generation of practice leaders in sport, the qualification is designed to enhance and acknowledge the quality of innovation, critical review and systematic application of appropriate theories and research to sport performance. The part-time nature of the course enables students to embed their learning and research within their own professional practice and ensure that the acquired knowledge and understanding gained through the research journey then be integrated directly into the organisations and systems in which they work.
The School of Health and Human Performance at DCU has three Micro-Credentials available to learners that focus on developing learners knowledge and skills in the area of health and wellbeing in active women and female athletes. These Micro-credentials are suitable for any healthcare professional or sports practitioner who works with active women. These Micro-credentials are designed for those wanting to engage in education while working full-time and are all delivered online.
These three Micro-credentials are embedded within the Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health subject to Accreditation (Level 9 NFQ, 30 ECTS credits) which is an online one-year part-time programme. These Micro-credentials can be completed as standalone or alternatively you can complete the Graduate Certificate Programme. Details of this programme can be found here.
Women's Health Modules
The Active Female: Pelvic Floor Function and Dysfunction (Micro-Credential - SS520)
This micro-credential will present and discuss advanced current concepts and practical skills relating to pelvic floor muscle anatomy, function and dysfunction within female sport and exercise. This module aims to teach the learner how to enable their clients/patients to prevent, navigate, manage pelvic floor dysfunction (such as prolapse, hypertonic pelvic floor, incontinence etc) and related musculoskeletal complaints within a context of keeping physically active and achieving high performance in sport and exercise.
Further information is available in the course summary and application form can be obtained by emailing aisling.scally@dcu.ie
The Active Female: Through The Lifespan (Micro-Credential - SS521)
This micro-credential will cover the significant physiological events that can occur throughout the female lifespan, from the teenager to post-menopause. The module will provide an insight into the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postnatal and menopause discussing clinically applicable physiology and demands and how each stage impacts rehabilitation and exercise in the active female.
Further information is available in the course summary and application form can be obtained by emailing aisling.scally@dcu.ie
Rehabilitation of the Active Female and the Pelvic Floor (Micro-Credential)
This micro-credential will provide learners with advanced practically applicable skills to rehabilitate the dysfunctional female pelvic floor within the context of the whole body, and across a variety of sports and exercise types. Skills on how to support, maintain and adapt exercise in active females with dysfunctional pelvic floor will be taught. Sound rehabilitation principles that prevents pelvic floor dysfunction will also be discussed. This module will tailor content inclusive of all active females; from recreational to elite athletes and will include evidence-based content throughout.
Further information is available in the course summary and register your interest by emailing aisling.scally@dcu.ie
The MSc in Physiotherapy (Level 9 NFQ, 180 ECTS) is a 2-year full time programme.
This programme will be of interest to people who wish to pursue a career in Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy who have a bachelor’s degree (Level 8 NFQ) in a relevant primary degree area (e.g. Sports Science, Exercise Science, Athletic Therapy, Kinesiology)
The programme aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, competencies and professional attributes required to practice physiotherapy (physical therapy) in diverse healthcare settings.
The Physiotherapy Programme will be situated in the School of Health and Human Performance, part of the DCU Faculty of Science and Health. The School is situated in the state-of-the-art Polaris Building on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus, in close proximity to the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health and to DCU Sport.