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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

311102 v.2 Graduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy

GradCertOccTher(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Graduate certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This course provides theory, knowledge and advanced practice skills required by occupational therapists in changing health and community contexts. The focus is on emerging theoretical knowledge of occupation, clinical reasoning as a basis for reflective practice, management and evaluation skills and applied research. The course is designed to enable students to incorporate recent developments in occupational therapy, generic practice and management skills.


Career Opportunities

Occupational therapy clients may be individuals, groups or communities. Occupational therapists strive to assist clients to maximise or enable their participation in occupation - be it work, leisure or self-care. As such, occupational therapy is practiced in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, homes, workplaces, schools and housing for seniors. Clients are actively involved in the therapeutic process and outcomes of occupational therapy are diverse, client-driven and measured in terms of participation or satisfaction derived from participation. Opportunities for work exist throughout Australia and other member countries of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.


Specifically applicants require a bachelor's degree or equivalent in occupational therapy.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for Credit for Recognised Learning are not considered within this course.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening/Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences webpage. Students are required to have a current Essential First Aid Certificate within four weeks of entry into the first year of the course.



Course Organisation

Graduate certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


This course will provide the theoretical knowledge and advanced practice skills required in changing health and community contexts. Studies focus on emerging theoretical knowledge of occupation, clinical reasoning as a basis for reflective practice, management and evaluation skills, and applied research. Those occupational therapists wishing to apply for re-registration are strongly encouraged to undertake Clinical Education 646 to demonstrate achievement of professional competencies.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply occupational therapy knowledge, principles and practice to achieve client-centred and evidence-based outcomes

2. create effective occupational therapy solutions through critical analysis, reflective practice and professional reasoning

3. critically appraise information and apply it to contemporary occupational therapy

4. communicate effectively and appropriately to ensure active client participation, relevant documentation and reporting, and responsible sharing of professional information

5. evaluate and apply appropriate technologies to contemporary occupational therapy practice

6. develop and apply life-long learning skills to achieve professional competency

7. inform occupational therapy standards and practices through integration of local and global perspectives

8. practice occupational therapy in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner incorporating perspectives of multiple stake-holders

9. work in a professional and collaborative manner to meet ethical and legal responsibilities


Duration and Availability

This course may be completed in one semester full-time, but is also offered on a part-time basis over two years.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
311073 v.2   Foundations of Occupational Therapy 541 3.0 25.0
311075 v.2   Occupational Therapy Principles and Practice 541 4.0 25.0
311078 v.2   Clinical Counselling and Group Work 641 6.0 25.0
311080 v.2   Paediatrics 641 4.0 25.0
311082 v.2   Research Design 541 3.0 25.0
311084 v.2   Orthoses and Rehabilitation Science 642 5.0 25.0
311085 v.3   Gerontology 542 13.0 25.0
311086 v.2   Neuropsychiatry 642 4.0 25.0
314042 v.2   Neuroscience 641 4.0 25.0
311072 v.3   Neuroscience Neurodevelopment 541 4.0 25.0
311077 v.2   Neuropsychiatry 542 4.0 25.0
311087 v.2   Community Based Rehabilitation and Development 642 4.0 25.0
311088 v.2   Clinical Education 642 266.5 25.0
311089 v.2   Clinical Education 644 266.5 25.0
311090 v.2   Clinical Education 646 304.0 25.0
313275 v.2   Physical Rehabilitation 542 4.0 25.0
314044 v.2   Ergonomics and Safety Science 641 7.0 25.0
311071 v.2   Musculoskeletal Structure and Function 540 45.0 25.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.