Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Occupational Therapy aims to prepare you for professional practice or further study, with an emphasis on current practice issues, including quality management of services, ethical issues, research and communication skills.

CSU's Bachelor of Occupational Therapy aims to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of occupational therapy, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills.

This degree will equip you to work collaboratively with people who have an impairment of body structure or function due to a health condition, and who experience barriers to participation in everyday activities. Emphasis is placed on current practice issues, including quality management of services, ethical issues, research and communication skills.

Occupation in rural areas is addressed throughout the course with the intention of encouraging development of skills for those interested in working in rural practice.

Students may elect to exit the course following successful completion of the first two years of study with the Associate Degree in Health Science.

The Honours stream is embedded within the four-year program and comprises specific Honours research subjects that replace pass degree subjects. To transfer into the Honours stream at the beginning of year three, students will need to obtain grades of Credit or above in at least 50% of Level 1 and Level 2 subjects.

What will I learn?

Studies in basic and clinical sciences provide an understanding of human function. This knowledge is then applied to a range of occupational therapy situations using a problem-solving approach.
Subjects are grouped according to six key learning areas:

• human occupation and performance
• occupational therapy theory and practice
• research and evaluation
• social and cultural perspectives of occupation
• communication and professional responsibilities
• biological and behavioural sciences.

Students explore issues of occupational performance at every stage of the human life span through self-directed learning projects. You will use a professional reasoning process to formulate enabling strategies to develop or enhance competence in occupational tasks in self care, work, leisure and learning roles, taking into consideration factors such as the environment, lifestyle and culture.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

Your course is recognised by industry

The course is accredited by OT Australia, The Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Accreditation by WFOT enables graduates to be employed both in Australia and overseas.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• Criminal Record Clearance
• Senior First Aid Certificate

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the ATAR cut-off score for the CSU occupational therapy program?

It usually fluctuates between 73 and 80. However, the cut-off is dependent upon demand, so it is not possible to be certain. There is a five point rural bonus for designated areas.

2. Is the course offered by distance education?

No.

3. Can I enrol mid-year?

No.

4. Are there many job opportunities?

Currently, the employment options are very good, and this is usually the case, however it is not possible to predict this in four years' time.

5. Can I work overseas?

Australians are very highly regarded and sought after, particularly in the United Kingdom and USA. Our course is accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, hence you are eligible to practice in any country. However, you must first meet their entrance requirements (which may include an exam).

6. How is the course different from OT courses at other universities?

At CSU, we prepare graduates for a rural and remote practice, although graduates are able to work equally well in metropolitan centres. Our class sizes are smaller than most other OT programs. There is a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork especially as we are placed within the School of Community Health. CSU has excellent internet facilities and students are able to maximise their skills in the use of computer technology.

7. Will I have time for a part-time job while studying?

Yes, many students do work in a part-time job, however you will usually be required to do your fieldwork placements full-time.

8. Can I buy secondhand books?

Sometimes. Check the student forums.

9. Is the course difficult?

This is a demanding course, you will need to study diligently, and manage your time well. Provided you go to all classes and keep up with your study, you shouldn't have any trouble.

10. What are the criteria for selection?

For school leavers, your ATARscore.

For those not coming straight from school, we first consider academic achievement, then relevant work (paid or unpaid) experience and then your demonstrated interest/knowledge in the program.

You are better placed if you have evidence of academic achievement or ability at a university level. However, if you have work based training, for example, you may be able to use this to demonstrate academic competence.

11. How else can I get in if I don't achieve the ATAR to do OT?

Enrol in another course that you would be happy to stay in if you are not able to move to OT, then reapply at the end of your first year of study through VTAC or UAC. You will need to have achieved at least a Credit grade average in your university studies in order for your application to be considered. You may be able to obtain credit for subjects in the program. If you enrol in courses at CSU, you will be able to apply for transfer at the end of first year and will not need to go through UAC or VTAC, however your application will still be considered along with all other CSU and non CSU applicants.

12. Should I try to gain work experience in occupational therapy?

This is always desirable so you have clarity about your career choice. However, it is not necessary to gain entrance. The skills and knowledge that you gain in any work experience - particularly human services - are likely to be relevant to your studies and work in occupational therapy.

13. I haven't done biology for my HSC or VCE. Is that a problem?

The course assumes some knowledge of biology, however, it is possible to progress successfully without having studied biology formally. CSU does not have formal prerequisite studies.

National Criminal Record Check

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

Workplace learning

Fieldwork experience constitutes approximately one quarter of the course, the majority taking place during third and fourth years. You will complete 1,000 hours of workplace learning in a range of settings, primarily in NSW and Victoria. There is the possibility to do placements in other states in Australia as well as overseas.

Practical learning experiences are an important part of the course. Fieldwork placements give you an opportunity to apply knowledge and develop practical skills. Placements are arranged in a variety of organisations, both rural and urban.

Students will need to purchase any required equipment and uniform items. You are also responsible for any travel to and from fieldwork placements and accommodation expenses.

Admission requirements

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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