25. Occupational Therapy

The Master of Occupational Therapy provides an advanced program of study for entry to the occupational therapy profession for students who have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. The course is built around a conceptual framework titled "Education of Community of Practice Capability now and in the Future: Towards Person-Environment Occupation Fit".

The curriculum is designed around the professional competency requirements for occupational therapy practice. The course is accredited with OT Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Note: Students may be required to satisfactory complete an English proficiency assessment prior to professional practice or fieldwork placements.

Admission requirements

To qualify for admission applicants will:

• have achieved at least a credit grade average in their undergraduate degree studies, and
• possess a relevant undergraduate degree from an institution recognised by the University of Sydney. Relevance implies that at least 40 per cent of the content of the applicant's undergraduate degree will be relevant to the field of occupational therapy. For applicants whose undergraduate degree has less than 40 per cent relevant content, entry may be possible through successful completion of undergraduate units in areas of relevance.
• Applicants must demonstrate successful completion of units in
  i) behavioural sciences and
  ii) human anatomy or human physiology or neuroscience.

Note: Students are commonly advised to complete Year 1 of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) course at the University of Sydney.

Assumed knowledge

Students are expected to enter the program with the following skills. Where these skills require further development students should seek additional preparation prior to commencing Semester 1, for example via bridging courses, community college programs and summer schools according to your level of need.

1. Competence in English language is expected prior to entering this course. Where English competence is insufficient prospective students should pursue, or may be required to complete, intensive English language preparation prior to commencement of the course.
2. International students are required to achieve an average IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 for writing and speaking. International student enrolment offers may include a requirement to complete intensive English preparation prior to commencement of the course.
3. Students whose prior undergraduate education contained limited behavioural or biomedical sciences content may be ineligible for direct entry. Further studies may be required before commencing the course. Students are advised to seek advice as early as possible to enable any required studies to be completed prior to the commencement of the course.
4. Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in computing skills, particularly word processing and internet searching skills from the beginning of the course.

Honours

At the end of Year 1 (48 credit points) students with academic performance that meets the criteria are able to apply to transfer to an honours degree. The Master of Occupational Therapy honours degree is undertaken by coursework and a research dissertation.

To be eligible for admission to this degree students must already be enrolled in the Master of Occupational Therapy and have achieved at least a weighted average mark of 70 per cent in Year 1 coursework. Students who have achieved this level of performance may apply to have their enrolment transferred to the honours degree. To be awarded honours, students must achieve at least a weighted average grade of 70 per cent or above in all coursework, and must successfully complete a research dissertation of equivalent standard. Should a student fail to achieve the overall weighted average mark of 70 per cent for coursework units of study, s/he may complete the dissertation but will not be awarded an honours degree.

Enrolment for the honours dissertation is a minimum of two semesters. Re-enrolment will be necessary if the dissertation cannot be submitted within that time frame.

Course outline

The course outlines for the new Master of Occupational Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy (Honours) programs are presented in Tables 25.1 and 25.1.1. See Chapter 32 for unit descriptions and a list of faculty and research electives.

Table 25.1 Master of Occupational Therapy

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC141: Credit points for award: 96
On-campus: full-time, 4 semesters; part-time, 8 semesters
Full-time mode
Year 1
Semester 1
OCCP5207 Assessing Evidence for OT Practice	6	C OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1	Semester 1
OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1	3	C OCCP5216 Human Occupations, OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	Semester 1
OCCP5216 Human Occupations	3	A Biomedical and behavioural sciences knowledge	Semester 1
OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	6	A English and computing skills C OCCP5216 Human Occupations	Semester 1
OCCP5222 Psychosocial and Cognitive Strategies	6	C OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies	6	P OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	Semester 2
OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	3	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1 C OCCP5223 Reflexive Practice 1	Semester 2
OCCP5218 OT in Home and Community Environments	6	P OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning C OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies	Semester 2
OCCP5219 OT in School and Work Environments	6	P OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning, OCCP5222 Psychosocial & Cognitive Strategies C OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies	Semester 2
OCCP5223 Reflexive Practice 1	3	C OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Year 2
Semester 1
OCCP5209 Evaluating OT Outcomes	3	P OCCP5207 Assessing Evidence for OT Practice, OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	Semester 1
OCCP5210 Evaluating OT Programs	6	P OCCP5207 Assessing Evidence for OT Practice, OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2, OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning C OCCP5209 Evaluating OT Outcomes, OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3 (if enrolled in full-time studies)	Semester 1
OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3	6	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	Semester 1
OCCP5228 Person - Enviromment - Occupation	6	P OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies, OCCP5218 OT in Home & Community Environments, OCCP5219 OT in School & Work Environments, OCCP5222 Cognitive and Psychosocial Strategies	Semester 1
Elective [3]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5214 Fieldwork 4	9	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2, OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3	Semester 2
OCCP5215 Fieldwork 5	9	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2, OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3, OCCP5214 Fieldwork 4	Semester 2
OCCP5224 Reflexive Practice 2	3	C OCCP5215 Fieldwork 5	Semester 2
Elective [3]
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Part-time mode
Year 1
Semester 1
OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1	3	C OCCP5216 Human Occupations, OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	Semester 1
OCCP5216 Human Occupations	3	A Biomedical and behavioural sciences knowledge	Semester 1
OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	6	A English and computing skills C OCCP5216 Human Occupations	Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies	6	P OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	Semester 2
OCCP5218 OT in Home and Community Environments	6	P OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning C OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies	Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Year 2
Semester 1
OCCP5207 Assessing Evidence for OT Practice	6	C OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1	Semester 1
OCCP5222 Psychosocial and Cognitive Strategies	6	C OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning	Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	3	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1 C OCCP5223 Reflexive Practice 1	Semester 2
OCCP5219 OT in School and Work Environments	6	P OCCP5217 OT Assessment and Planning, OCCP5222 Psychosocial & Cognitive Strategies C OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies	Semester 2
OCCP5223 Reflexive Practice 1	3	C OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Year 3 (first offered in 2009)
Semester 1
OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3	6	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	Semester 1
OCCP5228 Person - Enviromment - Occupation	6	P OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies, OCCP5218 OT in Home & Community Environments, OCCP5219 OT in School & Work Environments, OCCP5222 Cognitive and Psychosocial Strategies	Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5214 Fieldwork 4	9	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2, OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3	Semester 2
Elective [3]
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Year 4 (first offered in 2010)
Semester 1
OCCP5209 Evaluating OT Outcomes [3]
OCCP5210 Evaluating OT Programs [6]
Elective [3]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5215 Fieldwork 5 [9]
OCCP5224 Reflexive Practice 2 [3]
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Note
Accelerated three year program is available. Students wishing to change from part-time to full-time mode must consult with the course coordinator in advance before enrolling for Year 3.

Table 25.1.1: Master of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC142: Credit points for award: 96
On-campus: full-time, 4 semesters; part-time, 8 semesters
Full-time mode
Year 1
As per Pass course
Year 2
Semester 1
BACH5341 Research & Inquiry in Health Professions	6	Not available for Doctor of Health Science students. This unit of study is suitable for postgraduate coursework students who do not intend to progress to a research degree	Semester 1 Semester 2
OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3	6	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2	Semester 1
OCCP5228 Person - Enviromment - Occupation	6	P OCCP5208 Biomechanical & Sensorimotor Strategies, OCCP5218 OT in Home & Community Environments, OCCP5219 OT in School & Work Environments, OCCP5222 Cognitive and Psychosocial Strategies	Semester 1
OCCP5229 Honours A: Project Development	3	P OCCP5207 Assessing Evidence for OT Practice C BACH5341 Research & Inquiry in the Health Professions	Semester 1
Elective [3]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5214 Fieldwork 4	9	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2, OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3	Semester 2
OCCP5215 Fieldwork 5	9	P OCCP5211 Fieldwork 1, OCCP5212 Fieldwork 2, OCCP5213 Fieldwork 3, OCCP5214 Fieldwork 4	Semester 2
OCCP5224 Reflexive Practice 2	3	C OCCP5215 Fieldwork 5	Semester 2
OCCP5230 Honours B: Research Analysis and Report	3	P OCCP5229 Honours A: Project Development, BACH5268 Developing a Research Program or BACH5341 Research & Inquiry in the Health Professions	Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Part-time mode
Years 1 - 3
As per Pass course
Year 4 (first offered in 2010)
Semester 1
BACH5341 Research & Inquiry in Health Professions [6]
OCCP5229 Honours A: Project Development [3]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 9 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
OCCP5215 Fieldwork 5 [9]
OCCP5224 Reflexive Practice 2 [3]
OCCP5230 Honours B: Research Analysis and Report [3]
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 15 CREDIT POINTS
Note
Accelerated three year program is available. Students wishing to change from part-time to full-time mode must consult with the course coordinator in advance before enrolling for Year 3.

Note: The Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) is no longer open to new enrolments. New students should enrol in the Master of Health Science with an Occupational Therapy stream. See Chapter 20 for further information.

The Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) course is designed to provide advanced study in occupational therapy and related topics to prepare graduate students to lead practice through knowledge and actions.

Participants enrolled in this program may complete their studies with a specialist focus: a specialty requires that 50 per cent of credit points are completed in an identified topic area. These topic areas are negotiated between the student and course coordinator with approval of the head of academic unit. The course has both coursework and inquiry project options. Students may seek to have work completed in the Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) credited against the requirements of professional doctorate (HScD) offered by the faculty.

Honours

Candidates in the MHlthSc (OT) who have achieved 65 per cent Credit or better in all units of study and 75 per cent Distinction or better in at least two units of study may be invited to complete the additional honours requirement of a dissertation.

Admission requirements

Applicants for admission to the Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) shall possess:

1. an award of Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) from Cumberland College of Health Sciences or the University of Sydney, or
2. an award of Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, or
3. an award of Bachelor of Science with a major in anatomy from the University of New South Wales and a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy from Cumberland College of Health Sciences, or
4. an award of Master of Occupational Therapy from The University of Sydney, or
5. such qualifications as are deemed equivalent to (1), (2), (3) or (4), or
6. an award of Diploma in Occupational Therapy from a recognised educational body and submit such other evidence of general and/or professional qualifications as will satisfy the faculty that the applicant possess the educational preparation and capacity to pursue graduate studies.

For occupational therapists without these qualifications entry may be possible through successful completion of a qualifying program designed specifically for indivudual applicants.

Course outline

The course outlines for the Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) pass and honours are presented in Tables 25.2 and 25.2.1. See Chapter 32 for unit descriptions and a list of faculty and research electives.

Table 25.2: Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) Pass

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC074: Credit points for award: 48
Off-campus: Part-time 2 to 4 semesters
Part-time mode (no commencing students in 2009)
Year 1
Choose 24 credit points from:
Topics in Theory (see note 1)
Topics in Research (see note 2)
Professional Practice Topics (see note 3)
Year 2
Choose 24 credit points from:
Professional Practice Topics (see note 3)
Notes
1. Topics in Theory are listed in Section A of Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) electives outlined below Table 25.2.1.
2. Topics in Research are listed in Section B of Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) electives outlined below Table 25.2.1.
3. Professional Practice Topics are listed in Section C of Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) electives outlined below Table 25.2.1.

Table 25.2.1: Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC075: Credit points for award: 60
Off-campus: Part-time, 5 semesters
Part-time mode
Years 1 and 2 (no commencing students in 2009)
As per Pass course
Year 3
OCCP5136 Dissertation	12	A Normally student doing OCCP5136 Dissertation has already completed 48 credit points Note: Department permission required for enrolment	Semester 1 Semester 2

The MHlthSc (OT) consists of three topic areas from which participants select specific units of study: topics in theory, topics in research and professional practice topics. Participants are required to complete a minimum of 6 credit points from Topics in Theory and a minimum of 6 credit points from topics in research. Specific units of study contained in these topic areas are described below.

(A) Topics in Theory

1. Core Theory units (minimum 6 credit points)
2. Specialty Theory units

(B) Topics in Research

(minimum 6 credit points)

(C) Professional Practice Topics

1. Topics in Assessment
2. Topics in Service Delivery
3. Topics in Enhancing Human Occupation
4. Practice Topics
5. Inquiry Topics/Projects

Electives for Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
The offering of any one of these elective units of study will depend on sufficient student demand and staff availability.
A. Topics in Theory
Core Theory units
OCCP5186 Theory in Occupational Therapy	6		Semester 1
B. Topics in Research
BACH5026 Special Investigation	6	Note: Department permission required for enrolment Permission required for enrolment in this unit.	Semester 1 Semester 2
BACH5341 Research & Inquiry in Health Professions	6	Not available for Doctor of Health Science students. This unit of study is suitable for postgraduate coursework students who do not intend to progress to a research degree	Semester 1 Semester 2
OCCP5145 Research Elective Independent Study	6	A BACH1143 Designing Health Research, BACH1145 Quantitative Health and Social Research, BACH1147 Qualitative Health and Social Research, or equivalent	Semester 1 Semester 2
PHTY5190 Evidence-Based Decision Making	6		Semester 1
C. Professional Practice Topics
Professional Practice Topics are divided into four broad topic areas:
1. Topics in Assessment
2. Topics in Enhancing Human Occupation
3. Practice Topics
4. Inquiry Topics/Projects
Masters candidates are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit points from Professional Practice Topics but there are no minimum credit requirements from these four broad topic areas.
1. Topics in Assessment
OCCP5191 Assessing Play: ToP to TOES	3	A Moderate knowledge of normal child development Available to MOT students	Semester 2
OCCP5231 Client-Centred Assessment in OT	6		Semester 2
or
Faculty and other research electives (see Chapter 32 for a list of electives)
2. Topics in Enhancing Human Occupation
HSGS5002 Ageing and Environmental Interaction	6		Semester 2
OCCP5143 Driving Assessment and Training A	6	A This unit of study is available only to qualified occupational therapists with a minimum of two years experience. Less than two years experience requires permission of the instructor C OCCP5144 Driving Assessment and Training B Note: Department permission required for enrolment Department permission required for enrolment. This unit of study must be taken concurrently with OCCP5144 Driving Assessment and Training B and are conducted in the same two week block. Please check website for the dates of the block mode	Semester 1 Semester 2
OCCP5144 Driving Assessment and Training B	6	A This unit of study is available only to qualified occupational therapists with a minimum of two years experience. Less than two years experience requires permission of the instructor C OCCP5143 Driving Assessment and Training A Note: Department permission required for enrolment Deapartment permission required for enrolment. This unit of study must be taken concurrently with OCCP5143 Driving Assessment and Training A and are conducted in the same two week block. Please check website for the dates of the block mode	Semester 1 Semester 2
OCCP5187 Falls Prevention With Older People	6	Available to MOT students	Semester 1
OCCP5199 Using Water to Promote Participation	6	Open to MOT students	Semester 1
OCCP5225 Sensory Processing: Theory to Practice	6	A Some paediatric experience preferred	Semester 2
OCCP5233 Child & Adolescent Mental Health in OT	6	A Knowledge of child and adolescent development	Semester 1
OCCP5234 Computer Access & Environmental Control	6		Semester 2
3. Practice Topics
OCCP5226 Assessing & Promoting Play with Children	3	A Knowledge of child development Note: Department permission required for enrolment	Semester 2
or
Faculty and other research electives (see Chapter 32 for a list of electives)
4. Inquiry Topics/Projects
BACH5026 Special Investigation	6	Note: Department permission required for enrolment Permission required for enrolment in this unit.	Semester 1 Semester 2
OCCP5070 Selected Topic	6	Note: Department permission required for enrolment Department permission required for enrolment. The focus of this unit may change from year to year. See Discipline website for unit of study listings and additional details	Semester 1 Semester 2
OCCP5185 Selected Topic	3	Note: Department permission required for enrolment Permission required for enrolment	Semester 1 Semester 2