Course

Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy

Approved Abbreviation: BHlthSc/MOT

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4663.2

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 069909G

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This course version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is 2012 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

Commencement Year 2010 - 4663.1 Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a highly regarded field in which you can apply your knowledge and skills to provide therapy for people who, because of illness, injury or circumstances, are limited in their ability to perform everyday tasks. The program promotes the value of human diversity, fundamental human rights and the dignity and worth of every client. Occupational therapists find employment in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, insurance companies, schools and large corporations.

The course in occupational therapy is offered as a combined Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy. The first three years of the program combine studies in occupational therapy with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The progression to the Master’s component of the combined degree is seamless and the final year focuses predominately on occupational therapy practice skills, practical experience and specialised areas. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

An honours stream is available for high performing students.

Study Mode
Four years full-time

Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council as an approved program of study in Australia and graduates are eligible for professional registration by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent Requirements

Admission

Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English.

Recommended studies: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Personal Development Health and Physical Education.

To be eligible to undertake fieldwork or practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration.

Students must have successfully completed 200 or more credit points for entry into the honours stream in Spring of their third year of study.

In line with the Honours in Bachelors Award Policy:

Admission to an end-on or embedded honours program is determined on the basis of all of the four following criteria being met:

a) Achievement of a threshold Admission Average Mark (AAM) equal to or above the minimum of 65; and

b) Statement of Intent or School equivalent; and

c) Appointment of a principal supervisor by the Dean of School; and

d) Demonstrated satisfactory academic writing skills appropriate to the discipline

A School Academic Committee may, on recommendation of the School Honours Coordinator, rank applicants on the basis of AAMs if the Head of School indicates the number of applications exceeds the availability of supervised places

It is anticipated that approximately 10-15 students will enter the honours stream each year in line with the above admission requirements.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

UAC

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
To be able to enrol in the first year Spring unit 400907 Occupational Therapy Practice 1 and subsequent occupational therapy units, all students must have a NSW Health National Criminal Record Check, a Prohibited Employment Declaration Form and a First Aid Certificate. To be eligible to undertake fieldwork placements in public hospitals, students must comply with NSW Health vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. Details of necessary vaccinations are available from NSW Health.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

400870

Population Health and Society

400868

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

400160

Introduction to Occupational Therapy

400871

Professional Health Competencies