Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is concerned with the extent to which people can perform the daily activities that make up their occupation, in the contexts of self-care, work or leisure. Clients may be individuals, small groups, organisations or communities. In this course, students divide their time between classes on campus and fieldwork placements. Students study basic human biosciences, behavioural health sciences and occupational sciences. As they progress through the course, students apply their skills to occupational-therapy practice, working under supervision in fieldwork settings. Students with a minimum 75 per cent cumulative grade average, and who are ranked in the top 10 per cent at the end of year 2 of the bachelor's degree, will be eligible to be admitted into the honours course. The honours course provides students with the opportunity to enhance their research skills and undertake a supervised research project. No additional period of study is required for the awarding of honours in this degree. The course uses a combination of traditional and scenario-based learning and teaching methods. Students develop expertise in working cooperatively to seek out information and applying their learning to situations relevant to occupational therapy practice. The curriculum incorporates knowledge from the disciplines of occupational science (the study of humans as occupational beings), as well as biomedical, behavioural and social sciences. As part of the Monash Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, students also complete fieldwork education in various practice settings during each year of the course. This provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills, and appreciate the relevance of ongoing learning in the context of supervised health service delivery.
Minimum entrance requirements Equivalent Australian Year 12. Minimum entrance requirements for non-school-leavers TAFE All completed TAFE studies will be considered. Biological or Social Sciences would be most appropriate. University Applicants are required to demonstrate their preparedness and aptitude for study by undertaking two single units, even if they have completed the VCE prerequisites or their equivalents. It is recommended that applicants choose units that correspond to the VCE prerequisite studies for this course (see next column) or units that form part of the course. Applicants will normally equire at least a distinction average (70%) in recent studies to be considered for admission. VCE prerequisites Units 3 and 4-a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or 25 in any other English. International Baccalaureate subject prerequisites A score of at least 4 in English SL or 3 in English HL or 5 in English B SL or 4 in English B HL.
Graduates of occupational therapy will be able to: •demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attributes appropriate for a competent entry level practitioner: •develop strategies to enable individuals, groups and communities to participate in everyday occupations that they want and need to do •appraise barriers to people's participation and devise strategies to overcome these •articulate the unique professional contribution of occupational therapy •be client-centred in their approach •critically appraise the nature and meaning of occupation, the occupational nature of human beings and the theories and basic principles related to enabling occupation and occupational performance •explain biomedical and social sciences concepts underpinning occupational therapy practice •be proactive in prevention-oriented and health promotion practice, demonstrating commitment to the health of populations as well as individuals •describe different research approaches and be skilled at applying the best available evidence to everyday practice •practice ethically, respectfully and collaboratively, and assume leadership, supervisory and management roles as appropriate •create personal strategies to maintain high standards in their professional life, contribute to their professional community and engage in lifelong learning •recognise the intrinsic value of people irrespective of culture, values, beliefs and socio-economic status.