The Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Occupational Therapy requires 5 years of full-time study (or up to eight years part-time).
The course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
There will be a specific sub-quota for rural and remote applicants.
A knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology is assumed.
Course aims
Graduates of the double degree program will be able to practice as Occupational Therapists across a range of settings, including rural and remote areas. Emphasis will be placed on preparing a contemporary health professional able to be client-centred and to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
Learning outcomes
Graduates of the double degree program will be able to:
- identify and apply theoretical approaches within occupational therapy including the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework
- understand humans as occupational beings and integrate this information in providing occupational therapy for individuals, organisations and populations including in rural and remote health settings
- collaborate and communicate with clients to meet their occupational needs in a culturally sensitive manner
- select interventions relevant to the needs of clients using reflective and evidence-based practice
- apply occupational therapy skills to enhance a client’s health and participation in life through engagement in occupation
- collaborate and communicate effectively with other health professionals in providing high quality health care
- reflect on their practice and plan their ongoing professional development as life-long learners.
Program of study
To qualify for double degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Occupational Therapy, a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below. Students must also achieve a Grade Point Average of 5 or better in the 108 units of the Bachelor of Health Sciences in order to progress to the Master of Occupational Therapy.
Students who have successfully completed the first three year of the program (108 units) may exit with the Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Except with the permission of the Dean (Education), a student may not proceed to higher year core topics unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year's core topics.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
Not all option topics will be available in any given year or semester.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Principles of Occupational Therapy)
Core - Year 1 topics
31.5 units comprising:
HLTH1003 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (4.5 units)
HLTH1004 Human Bioscience (4.5 units)
HLTH1101 Health Promotion for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
HLTH1304 Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication (4.5 units)
HLTH1305 Australian Healthcare System(s): Concepts and Controversies (4.5 units)
HLTH1306 Contemporary Health Issues in Australia (4.5 units)
OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy (4.5 units)
Elective - Year 1 topics
Plus 4.5 units of first year electives
Core - Year 2 topics
31.5 units comprising:
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis of Health (4.5 units)
HLTH2102 Indigenous Health for Health Sciences (4.5 units)
HLTH2105 Health: A Psychological Perspective (4.5 units)
MMED3932 Body Systems (4.5 units)
REHB2001 Neuroscience for Therapists (4.5 units)
OCCT2001 Introduction to Occupational Science (4.5 units)
REHB2002 Rehabilitation Studies 1 (4.5 units)
Elective - Year 2 topics
Plus 4.5 units of electives
Core - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
DSRS3222 Counselling (4.5 units)
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods of Social Health Research (4.5 units)
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods of Social Health Research (4.5 units)
MMED2931 Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED3941 Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy (4.5 units)
OCCT3002 Understanding Disease and Disability (4.5 units)
OCCT3003 Preparation for Occupational Therapy Practice (4.5 units
REHB3001 Rehabilitation Studies 2 (4.5 units)
Master of Occupational Therapy
Core - Year 4 topics
36 units comprising:
OCCT8001 The Occupational Therapy Profession (9 units)
OCCT8002 Occupational Science (4.5 units)
OCCT8003 Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Practice (4.5 units)
OCCT8010 Information and Technology in Occupational Therapy (4.5 units)
OCCT9007 Clinical Practicum 1 (9 units)
REHB8101 Interprofessional Practice (4.5 units)
Core - Year 5 topics
36 units comprising:
OCCT8004 Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Practice 2 (4.5 units)
OCCT8005 Occupational therapy Evaluation and Practice 3 (4.5 units)
OCCT8006 Contemporary Issues in Occupational Therapy Practice (4.5 units)
OCCT9008 Clinical Practicum 2 (9 units)
OCCT9009 Clinical Practicum 3 (9 units)
OCCT9012 Transition to Professional Practice (4.5 units)
