13. Occupational Therapy

Courses of study

The discipline of Occupational Therapy offers two undergraduate degrees:

• The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) course offered on a full-time basis over four years. The course prepares students to practise as an occupational therapist
• The Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) offered in Singapore as a conversion course to enable diplomates to attain a degree.

A graduate professional entry degree is also offered through:

• The Master of Occupational Therapy is an alternative professional entry pathway suitable for students with relevant undergraduate qualifications. See Chapter 25 for further information.

A range of postgraduate study options have also been developed:

• The Graduate Certificate and Master of Health Sciences, with an Occupational Therapy stream that allows for specialisations in numerous areas, have been designed to provide specific professional development for occupational therapists who wish to extend their knowledge, skills and attitudes as practitioners, teachers and learners. See Chapter 20 for further information.

Research programs include:

• PhD studies
• Master of Applied Science

For further information on the research degrees offered by the faculty, see Chapter 31.

Professional information

Occupational Therapy prioritises enabling people’s full participation in life as fully as they would like.

Occupational therapists help to overcome barriers and create opportunities for people of all ages that may have been constrained by injury, illness or other circumstances. Often, it is the environment that ‘disables’ people, including the built environment, social attitudes and assumptions, or public policies and institutional practice. At other times, the activity may be too complex or demanding. New abilities, adapted techniques or assistive devices may be required. Occupational therapists help a diversity of clients in many different settings to optimise participation and meaning in their daily lives.

Further information

Telephone: +61 2 9351 9161
Website: www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/

No first year intake from 2007
Continuing students seeking enrolment advice should contact the program coordinator.

Table 13.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Leisure and Health) Off-campus

Occupational therapy involves understanding and promoting human occupations (self care, school/work, play/leisure) by improving the match between people's capabilities, the tasks they need and want to do and the resources available for performing those tasks and roles. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have experienced developmental difficulties, illness or injury that prevent them from doing what they need and want to do every day.

Study in occupational therapy includes: theories of what people do in daily life and why; knowledge of the development of human capabilities (eg, cognitive, motor, psychosocial) and the ways in which injury and illness typically disrupt them; activity and environmental analysis; and theories and techniques for promoting participation on daily life.

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages whose lives have been disrupted by developmental deficits, the ageing process, physical injury, illness or psychological or social disability. Occupational therapists work in healthcare and community settings, schools, work environments and in private practice. Some occupational therapists are researchers; some are educators.

Admission requirements

There are no specific admission requirements to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) course. The general admission requirements in Chapter 3 apply. However prospective students may benefit from undertaking biology at HSC level.

Honours

For information specific to the occupational therapy honours program students are advised to contact the honours course coordinator. Entry is based on academic performance in years one and two of the pass course. The occupational therapy honours program includes the first five semesters of the pass program followed by three semesters when the student is specifically enrolled in the honours program. In order for honours students to have adequate time to pursue their research studies, a number of modifications including internal exemptions, timetabling flexibility and Professional Practice IV flexibility are offered. Students undertake Professional Practice IV at a suitable time in relation to their research studies and in consultation with their supervisor and the Professional Practice IV unit coordinator.

Course outline

The course outlines for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) Pass and Honours are presented in Tables 13.2, 13.2.1 and 13.3. Units of study are described in Chapter 19.

Table 13.2: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) Pass

Table 13.2.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours

Table 13.3: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)

Professional practice is an integral part of the occupational therapy and leisure and health programs. Fieldwork education may consist of block placements and other guided learning experiences. These experiences provide students with an opportunity to practice skills and take responsibility commensurate with their background knowledge and level of development acquired during the course. Fieldwork block placements are periods of two to ten weeks where students attend a setting five days a week full time for approximately 37.5 hours per week. The placements occur during semester time and during recess periods, at all levels of the courses, and are located in both metropolitan, country facilities and, in some cases, overseas facilities.

Occupational Therapy professional practice/fieldwork education

Professional Practice I

Lectures/tutorials and a 5-day placement either during inter-semester recess or at other times during the year.

Professional Practice II

Lectures/tutorials and a 2-week block placement during inter-semester recess. Placements may also occur at different times of the year, subject to availability. Students are also required to complete peer interview/assessment projects.

Professional Practice IIIA and IIIB

Lectures/tutorials, online education and two 7-week block placements during Semester 1. Placements may also occur at different times of the year, subject to availability. Students are also required to attend university before and after placements for professional practice briefing and debriefing classes.

Professional Practice IV

Lectures/tutorials, online education and an 8-week (pass program) or 6-week (honours program) placement during Semester 2. Students are required to attend university for a number of lectures and tutorials before and after placement and to complete assessments both on placement and on-campus.

Uniforms

Occupational Therapy students

Students may need to obtain uniforms to be worn while undertaking hospital placements where uniforms are required. Not all fieldwork sites require students to wear uniforms. Polo shirts, with the University crest and course name, can be obtained through the relevant student associations. A faculty name badge is required to be worn at all times during fieldwork placements. These badges can be obtained from the Students' Union.

Women

Short sleeves white blouse; navy blue culotte skirt or navy blue trousers; navy blue cardigan or jumper; navy, black or white closed shoes.

Men

White short sleeved shirt; navy blue trousers; navy blue cardigan or jumper; black or brown shoes.