Occupational Therapy

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Course Code H96

The Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) degree takes four years of full time study, or part time equivalent. It contributes to current trends in health services by promoting quality of life, health and well being through occupation. Students will develop an understanding of the factors that affect occupational performance in areas of self-care, education, work, social participation, play and leisure for individuals, groups and populations through the life span.

Clinical practice provides students with valuable learning experiences in a range of settings. In broad terms the course outcomes are to develop occupational therapists who have a sound knowledge and understanding of professional principles and processes and who can generalize their attributes and skills in new situations.

Features of the course:

On-campus classes are delivered in modern and well equipped laboratories. The extensive clinical practice program is undertaken in a wide range of settings over the four years of the course.

Content includes:

  • Foundations in health and wellness, occupation, human rights, anatomy, neuroscience, biomechanics, disability, communication, ethics.
  • Principles in analysis: tasks, human movement, physical, social and cultural environments.
  • Theory and practice of occupational therapy across the life span.
  • Assistive technology and occupational analysis.
  • Scholarship and practice based on evidence-based learning.
  • Inter-professional education.
  • Expressive arts.
  • Supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings.
  • Clinical education aims to facilitate a student’s personal growth and understanding of practice that equips them to be responsive to the changes occurring in health and social care systems. It focuses on developing attitudes to health care, professional responsibility and behaviour, evidence based enquiry, global awareness, cultural competence, interpersonal and technical skills.

Major Areas of Study:

Disability, mental health, rehabilitation, health promotion, community access, communication, assistive technology, community development, life span development, clinical science, anatomy, neuroscience and occupations.

Course Location and Mode of Study:

  • The 4 year course is available by full-time or equivalent part-time study on the Joondalup Campus.
  • The course includes a substantial clinical practice program. This starts from the first semester of the course and continues through the four years.
  • Each student is required to successfully complete clinical placements in a range of settings with clients from across the lifespan. The majority of placements are in metropolitan, rural, regional and remote locations in WA and there are opportunities for some clinical fieldwork to be undertaken interstate and overseas. Where it is possible arrangements will be made for regional, interstate or international students to undertake some of their clinical placements in or close to their home location.