Master of Occupational Therapy

Overview

The Master of Occupational Therapy prepares you with the skills to further your professional healthcare knowledge and help transform the lives of those with neurological, musculoskeletal or mental health issues. This course is designed for self-directed practitioners capable of working in community, acute and rehabilitation settings. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to practice as a qualified occupational therapist.

Professional placements

It is a mandated requirement of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand) Ltd that all students will undertake 1000 hours of professional practice training including 800 hours of work placements and at least 240 hours of other professional practice activities in other units. Work placements are organised into three full-time blocks (20 weeks total). Swinburne will organise the student placement program.

Placements will be undertaken in agencies which: provide short-term or long-term therapy, are community or hospital focused, with clients across the lifespan. Clients will experience occupational performance problems as a result of mental health, neurological or musculoskeletal impairments. Every client will be experiencing some limitation in what they need, want or expect to be able to do. It is intended that students be offered a variety of placement experiences during their enrolment.

Aims and objectives

On successful completion of this programme the learner will be able to

• Construct occupational performance profiles in collaboration with individuals, groups or communities, identify the impacts of occupation on health and wellbeing, and apply these in a range of contexts
• Critically analyse and apply contemporary theory, practice knowledge, and evidence to inform sound clinical reasoning in assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes within the occupational therapy curriculum and in clinical practice
• Apply well developed independent research skills to critically review literature and produce an evidence review report that accurately summarises findings from contemporary research regarding a health assessment or intervention
• Collaborate with clients to produce and competently implement an occupationally-focused intervention plan that supports health and wellbeing, considers the person and their environment, and is safe, ethical, culturally responsive, culturally safe, lawful, and accountable
• Communicate openly, responsively and appropriately with individuals and groups across a variety of settings, adapting written, verbal and non-verbal communication to the client and practice context
• Analyse, plan, produce, communicate, and evaluate a design, technology, or device solution to a complex problem impeding occupational participation, as identified by an external partner in the disability sector
• Implement reflective practice and demonstrate the ability to critically and accurately evaluate own and peers’ skills, learning styles, and capacity for self-direction.

Career opportunities

Occupational therapists work in hospital, rehabilitation, residential care, mental health, community health, forensic mental health, school, paediatric and occupational rehabilitation settings.

Professional recognition

The Master of Occupational Therapy is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA).  Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the OTBA.  The program is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Course rules

Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.

Academic progress – special requirements

In addition to the standard academic progress rules, this course has the following additional academic progress rules which are established in accordance with Academic Courses Regulation 62(2):

1. A student is classified as 'at risk' of unsatisfactory progress if they:
   1. fail any unit of study
   2. behave in a manner which breaches the Swinburne Student Charter whilst on a professional placement
2. A student is classified as 'unsatisfactory progress' if they:
   1. fail any unit of study in the next Progress Review period after being classified as being 'at risk'
   2. fail a Professional Placement or Work Experience in Industry  unit
   3. have their professional placement terminated early by an industry partner. In the case of early termination of an industry placement by an industry partner, the student will be deemed as having 'unsatisfactory progress' and a progress review hearing may be convened within 2 weeks of the cessation of the placement

Students who are identified as having unsatisfactory progress will be subject to the show cause provisions in the Progress Review section of the Academic Progress Policy.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Occupational Therapy is 100 credit points (normally eight units).

Accreditation placements

Accredited placements are structured opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience in their chosen fields. These placements are part of academic programs and are recognised by educational institutions, enhancing the credibility of the experience. They provide a valuable bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, allowing participants to develop essential skills, network with industry professionals, and enhance their employability. 

Students undertaking the Master of Occupational Therapy accreditation placement are subject to fees requirements and must obtain the following:

• uniform^*
• police check
• working with children check (WWCC)
• NDIS screening check^*
• immunisation form^#
• COVID-19 vaccination^#
• hand hygine certificate^*

Note: 
# Check immunisation requirements of the placement organisation
* This document may be required by the placement organisation