314309 v.1 Master of Occupational Therapy

MOccTher(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 077383K
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2.5 Years

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Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.

The Graduate Entry Master of Occupational Therapy (GEM) course is a fast-track option to becoming an occupational therapist for those who already hold a bachelor degree, preferably in a health science or human service. Assisting people to participate in their diverse daily activities is what occupational therapists called ‘occupation’. Occupation can be as varied as cleaning your tattoo, socialising with friends, driving a car, blow-drying your hair, holding a pen, participating in work and sport and living in supported accommodation. There are many reasons why people cannot participate: such as illness, injury or disability, and these can occur at any age. Occupational therapists work with people, organisations, groups or communities to identify barriers that stop engagement in occupation and then find interventions, strategies and solutions. The barriers can be as diverse as physical, social, attitudinal or legislative, so occupational therapists need a broad education.

Professional Recognition

Graduates using the title registered health practitioner or the title of occupational therapist (OT) must be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the National Board). Registration for practice enables graduates, once registered, to practise occupational therapy in all Australian states and territories. Graduates can also choose to be a member of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and/or OT Australia (WA). The course is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Graduates may also apply for registration in most countries although some may involve sitting a licensing examination.

Career Opportunities

The excellent reputation of Curtin’s Occupational Therapy course means that graduates are in high demand in an area of high need. Graduates may be employed in a health, community or industry setting including urban and rural community-based programs, private practice, medical and vocational rehabilitation units, psychiatric services, mining and resource industries, and schools. Opportunities for work exist throughout Australia and internationally through recognition of the degree through accreditation with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. In addition, students are required to purchase a laboratory coat, an approved clinical uniform and an anatomy authorisation.

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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. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.

Specifically, applicants must have a bachelor degree, preferably in a health or human science related discipline. Entrance into the course is competitive. Evidence of studies in the human biosciences (e.g. human biology) and psychology or behavioural science is required. If such evidence is not available, applicants may need to undertake prerequisite bridging units before commencing the program. International applicants must show evidence of English language competency as demonstrated by an IELTS (International English Language Test System) of 7.0 (or equivalent as defined by the Curtin’s standard list. Please note CUTE is not accepted). Students are required to have a current Essential First Aid Certificate within four weeks of entry into the first year of the course.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.

Extensive work experience, clinical specialisation or significant publication and research experience may qualify for Credit for Recognised Learning.

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral 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 and Clearance section of the faculty website.

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Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.

This graduate entry master course offers students a fast-track option to becoming an occupational therapist. Students will develop knowledge of four broad areas: • medical, psychiatric, orthopaedic and neurological conditions that affect the health and wellbeing of individuals • the theory and practice of occupational therapy including the study of occupation, and analysis of the personal and environmental factors that influence occupational participation and performance • human development, covering normal growth and development within the life-cycle along with problems that occur, such as learning disabilities and the effects of ageing • occupational health and management, including prevention, education and rehabilitation programs for a variety of workplaces. Fieldwork placement activities occur throughout the course and extensively in the final year and, in particular, one fieldwork block may continue beyond the end of the final semester. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in the Go Global program, participating in a fieldwork placement in China, India, South Africa or Ukraine for four weeks.

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 stakeholders

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

Duration and Availability

This course comprises six study periods across two and one half years of full-time study, but can be undertaken part-time. Part-time study is not available for international onshore students on temporary entrant visas.

Location and delivery Mode

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

Throughout the course, students are required to have passed all units in any one year before being allowed to proceed to the next year.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Study Period 1
311071	v.2		Musculoskeletal Structure and Function 540	45.0	25.0
					25.0
Year 1 Semester 1
311073	v.2		Foundations of Occupational Therapy 541	3.0	25.0
311082	v.2		Research Design 541	3.0	25.0
311075	v.2		Occupational Therapy Principles and Practice 541	4.0	25.0
311072	v.3		Neuroscience Neurodevelopment 541	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
311077	v.2		Neuropsychiatry 542	4.0	25.0
313275	v.2		Physical Rehabilitation 542	4.0	25.0
311085	v.3		Gerontology 542	13.0	25.0
314312	v.1		Environment, Health and Disability 542	4.5	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
314042	v.2		Neuroscience 641	4.0	25.0
314044	v.2		Ergonomics and Safety Science 641	7.0	25.0
311078	v.2		Clinical Counselling and Group Work 641	6.0	25.0
311080	v.2		Paediatrics 641	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
311084	v.2		Orthoses and Rehabilitation Science 642	5.0	25.0
311086	v.2		Neuropsychiatry 642	4.0	25.0
311087	v.2		Community Based Rehabilitation and Development 642	4.0	25.0
314310	v.1		Collaborative Research Project 642	7.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
311088	v.2		Clinical Education 642	266.5	25.0
311089	v.2		Clinical Education 644	266.5	25.0
314311	v.1		Occupational Therapy Professional Practice 643		25.0
311090	v.2		Clinical Education 646	304.0	25.0
					100.0

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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.

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