303542 v.8 Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Introduction

Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do the things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying their environment to better support participation. Occupational therapists have a broad education that equips them with skills and knowledge to work collaboratively with individuals or groups of people (and their communities) who have an impairment of body structure or function due to a health condition, and who experience barriers to participation. Occupational therapists believe that participation can be supported or restricted by physical, social, attitudinal and legislative environments. Therefore, occupational therapy practice may be directed to changing aspects of the environment to enhance participation.

Course Entry Requirements/Requisites

Prerequisites: A least one science course 3A/3B from the following list: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biological Science, Integrated Science or Physics. Applicants must also meet the University’s standard entry requirements, which include English competency. STAT: Not accepted

Specific Requirements

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences section (see page 36) and Police Clearances (see page 5). Students are required to have a current First Aid Certificate within four weeks of entry into the first year of the course. STAT is not accepted for entry to this course.

Note

Selection is based on the tertiary entrance rank for Year 12 students. Other criteria apply for non-school leaver applicants. Part-time students are not accepted.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning (RPL) are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

This course is four years full-time or equivalent part-time study. Part-time study is only available under exceptional circumstances. Fieldwork placement activities occur during the entire final year of the course and, in particular, one fieldwork block may continue beyond the end of the final semester of the course.

Course Organisation

Clinical practice throughout the course is undertaken in a number of hospitals and allied institutions with the cooperation of the relevant specialist and administrative staff.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and membership of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. Registration for practice enables graduates, once registered, to practise occupational therapy in all Australian states and territories. 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 OT course means our graduates are in high demand in an area of high need. You 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 our degree through accreditation with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Additional Course Expenses

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

Further Information

For more information about the program, contact Curtin Future Students on telephone (08) 9266 1000 email: futurestudents@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.

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.