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Professional Recognition

Course code Y63

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours

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Important

This course is not available to International students.

About this Course

This course is for students who are enrolled in ECU's Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Applications are by invitation based on a student's academic performance in the first three years of their course.

Allows students to 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 lifespan.

Fieldwork placements throughout the course provide students with valuable learning experiences in a range of settings. Graduates will possess a sound knowledge and understanding of professional principles and processes, and will be able to generalise their attributes and skills in new situations.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course code Y63

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $32,750

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

This course is not available to all students. To discuss your options, please make an enquiry.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to be enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) and have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher in the first three years of the course. Acceptance into the Honours program is by invitation only and successful applicants will transfer from the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy).

    All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 completion or equivalent.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Course Details

Semester availability

This course is not available to all students. To discuss your options, please make an enquiry.

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT1101Theory of Occupation15
OCT1102Occupation and Equity15
MHS1101Anatomy and Physiology 115
OCT1204Introduction to Professional Practice15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT1205Occupational Analysis15
OCT1220Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy15
MHS1102Anatomy and Physiology 215
OCT1108Introduction to Evidence Informed Practice15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT2100Enabling Participation for Children and Youth15
OCT2101Foundations of Biomechanics and Hand Therapy 15
OCT2102Health Conditions and Occupational Performance15
OCT2103Workplace Rehabilitation15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT2104Mental Health Conditions and Occupational Performance15
OCT2105Enabling Participation for Older Adults15
OCT2250Counselling and Group Processes In Occupational Therapy15
OCT2251Assistive Technology15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT3102Enabling Occupation: Physical Conditions15
OCT3104Enabling Occupation: Mental Health15
OCT3105Enabling Occupation: Disability15
ACS4133Aboriginal Communities15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT3107Enabling Occupation: Neurological Conditions15
OCT3303Extended Professional Practice One30
OCT3210Honours Research Preparation15
Year 4 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT4201Extended Professional Practice Two30
OCT5101Occupational Therapy Honours thesis 130
Year 4 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OCT4202Extended Professional Practice Three30
OCT5302Occupational Therapy Honours: Thesis 230

Y63|5

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students from H96 will enter Y63 having already completed 316 hours of professional placement.
    Year 3 OCT3303 320 hours (6 week block)
    Year 4
    OCT4201 320 hours (6 week block in summer school)
    OCT 4202 320 hours (8 week block)

    Attendance requirements

    Students may be provided with the opportunity to undertake some professional placements in a rural or regional setting.
    Students will be required to attend for the hours and days as specified by the host organisation. Additionally, due to circumstances beyond the control of the School, allocations may be changed with minimal notice to students.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    To be eligible to undertake professional placement and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete risk management protocols on commencement of the course and carry out amendments in subsequent semesters, as appropriate. Risk management protocols include, but are not restricted to:
    COVID vaccinations
    Certificate of National Police Clearance
    Current WA Department of Health Criminal Record Screening Clearance Card
    Current First Aid Certificate
    Department of Education and Training National Criminal History Record Check
    Evidence of immunisation status as per the Department of Health schedule, more information at www.health.wa.gov.au/circularsnew/circular.cfm?Circ_ID=12275
    MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months prior to enrolment
    Working with Children Check, more information at www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au

    Professional practice rules

    The professional placement component of the course needs to comply with the Professional Accreditation Standards for Occupational Therapy Entry Level Education Programs as devised by the Occupational Therapy Council Ltd (OTC).

    Students must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional placement that is in line with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). These professional placement opportunities will require students to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes to practice with a range of people who have different needs, and in differing circumstances. Students are required to be supervised and assessed by a registered occupational therapist.

  • Students can apply for membership with Occupational Therapy Australia. Membership is available to students.

  • Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia . Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia is required to practice in the profession.

    In order for students to be eligible to register with the Australian Health Professional Regulatory Agency (AHPRA), students will be required to adhere to the policy regarding English Language minimum requirements and meet other requirements for health and good character for registration as an occupational therapist in Australia .

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply advanced contemporary occupational therapy knowledge and skills to a broad range of theoretical and practical situations.
  2. Think creatively and critically to anticipate challenges, and generate client-centred responses with individuals, groups, communities and populations.
  3. Evaluate, synthesise and critique information from digital technologies and other sources to support problem solving and decision making.
  4. Communicate occupational therapy knowledge, evidence and theory, clearly, coherently, and with independence.
  5. Demonstrate cultural capability with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other cultures within society.
  6. Work collaboratively to support effective client-centred practice in diverse teams and environments.
  7. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning to ensure occupational therapy practice that is safe, ethical and lawful.
  8. Demonstrate the competency standards required for occupational therapy registration in Australia.

Professional Recognition

Course

Accredited by: Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Limited

The Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Pass and Honours) 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 course is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Approved by: World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $32,750 - Domestic fee paying estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Occupational therapy graduates have excellent employment outcomes. Registered occupational therapists work in acute, rehabilitation and long term settings, private practice, or community in a diverse range of roles..

Possible future job titles

Occupational Therapist, Project manager, Care coordinator, Rehabilitation consultant, Health and Wellness Coordinator, Aged and Community Care coordinator, Case manager.

Similar courses to consider

  • Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)
    Upon completion of the first semester of 3rd year of the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy), eligible students may be invited to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours. Students who are offered and accept a place in the Honours program will transfer to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours to complete the final 3 semesters of study.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Experiences

Explore your options through the following media

Science student Tamara Pullella, who is majoring in Occupational Therapy, talks about her course and why she chose to study at ECU.

Student stories

Tamara Pullella

ECU Occupational Therapy graduate

ECU offers the opportunity to experience prac from the very beginning

ECU's practicum placements really provided us with the opportunity to experience what occupational therapy was all about and prepared us for the real world.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

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ECU Experience

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