Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) (IMOG)
International students please note there is a pathway program available that will help with meeting the pre-requisites.
- Introduction
- Program rationale
- Program overview
- Entry requirements
- Fees
- How to apply
- IMOG homepage (course specific information)
- Further enquires
Enrolled students can drop in and chat, view the notice board or access level 1 and 2 courses.
Introduction
A new pathway to a career in Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is an exciting and growing health
profession. Occupational Therapists work with people whose lives are
affected by a illness, disability or disadvantage. Occupational
Therapists work collaboratively with clients to enable them to
achieve their goals, and to do the things they want and need to do
in their lives.
Occupational Therapists work in a range of settings including
community agencies, rehabilitation centres, special schools, general
hospitals, psychiatric services, aged care organisations, home care
programs, industry, private practice, government and non-government
organisations. Occupational Therapists have skills in a variety of
areas that enable them to work in jobs not necessarily titled
‘Occupational Therapist’.
Examples of these positions include case manager, project
coordinator, youth worker, client advocate, policy officer. New and
exciting opportunities are continuing to emerge for occupational
therapists to work within a changing health sector.
Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)
Previously in South Australia, a person wishing to practice as an Occupational Therapist needed to complete a four year undergraduate degree. Now, eligible people who have completed a relevant prior degree can undertake a two year full-time, accelerated program in Occupational Therapy.
Program rationale
The Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) is an accelerated two year program that provides an alternative pathway into the profession of occupational therapy. The program is based upon the premise that eligible candidates have successfully completed an undergraduate degree and have developed attributes in a range of graduate qualities associated with university based education including:
- ability to operate effectively with and upon a body of knowledge;
- capacity for life-long learning in pursuit of personal development and excellence in professional practice;
- ability to effectively problem solve and capacity to apply logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of problems;
- capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively as a professional;
- commitment to ethical action and social responsibility as a professional and as a citizen;
- capacity to communicate effectively
- awareness of an international perspective as a professional and citizen.
Moreover, students enter the program with the required prerequisite foundation science knowledge in human anatomy, human physiology and psychology/ sociology. This background provides a sound platform upon which student knowledge, skills and competencies in occupational therapy can be developed to the level of a beginning practitioner.
Program overview
Commencing July the program runs over four university semesters with some field practice components occurring outside of normal university time. The program consists of 72 units of study with 40.5 units relating to the theory and application of occupational therapy including occupational science and research, 27 units (1075 hours) of field practice and 4.5 units of basic sciences.
Theory and application of occupational therapy
Enabling Occupation
A core element of the program is the Enabling Occupation Stream of
courses that run across all four semesters. Through the use of
context or scenario based learning in this stream students will have
opportunity to share their existing knowledge, develop specific
occupational therapy knowledge and evidence practice skills in a
progressive manner. By the end of the program graduates will
demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge of a beginning level
practitioner.
Occupational Science
Occupational science has emerged as a core foundation science
for the profession. Students will undertake this course in
conjunction with the undergraduate student group. Application of
occupational science theory will be further advanced within the
enabling occupation stream.
Research for Health Practice
Whilst it is assumed that students will enter the program with some
research knowledge this course will ensure that graduates have the
skills and knowledge to be effective consumers of research and
understand the principles of evidence based practice.
Basic Sciences
Student will commence the program with a sound foundation of basic
sciences including human anatomy, human physiology and psychology or
sociology. In addition the scenarios within Enabling Occupational
course will require revision and extension of such knowledge.
However, a more in-depth understanding of human neuroscience is
required in preparation for scenarios dealing with neurological
disorders. The course Human Neurosciences 201 will provide
opportunity for such knowledge development. Graduate entry student
will study this course in conjunction with the undergraduate student
group.
Field Practice
Field Practice will take place across the two year program in a
progressive manner.
Field Practice 1
Duration: 1 day per week for 8 weeks in
each agency, July – October. Part-time.
Description:
In 2 contrasting agencies. Fortnightly tutorial sessions.
Observation and participation in occupational
therapy programs and service delivery, under supervision.
Application of knowledge and skills gained in the academic program
to field practice. Completion of workbook and portfolio of evidence.
Field Practice 2
Duration: 16 weeks, half day at agency, half day in tutorial,
July - September. Description:
2 days orientation intensive. 64 hours of direct client
contact field experience completed across 16 weeks (4 hours per week).
Weekly tutorials to facilitate reflection on field practice experience
undertake group learning and provide additional resources.
Field Practice 3
Duration: August – December; 360 hours which includes onsite
work and university hours. Description: A Participatory Practice
Project is undertaken primarily in conjunction with an Occupational
Therapist. Students work on identified community projects
implementing and evaluating the proposed project with various agencies.
Includes on campus workshops and seminars on social health and community
development principles.
Field Practice 4
Duration: 4 days per week over 13 weeks. April – end of July.
Description: Undertaken in various agencies,
supervised by Occupational Therapists.
Entry requirements
- Who can join the Graduate Entry program?
- What conditions apply if I am an International student?
- What if I don’t have the prerequisites?
Who can join the Graduate Entry program?
Entry into the Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) is
available to Australian citizens and residents, and overseas
students.
To be eligible to join the Graduate Entry program you will need to:
- hold a Bachelors degree conferred within the past 10 years. The relevance of that degree to Occupational Therapy may be taken into account
- have a GPA of greater than or equal to five (Credit average) in the Bachelors degree or your last full year of university study
- completed prerequisite study in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and either Human Psychology or Sociology / Anthropology
- meet English language requirements if you are applying as an international student
What conditions apply if I am an International student?
An International English Language Test Score (IELTS) of 7.0. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 6.5 in each of the bands (writing, reading and listening). The Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) is an accelerated, intensive program where a high level of English proficiency literacy will be required within the theoretical academic, practical and clinical components of the program. Students applying on a non-test basis will need to demonstrate the equivalence of an IELTS 7.0.
What if I don’t have the prerequisites?
If you have not covered all the prerequisites in your previous bachelor’s degree you can organise to undertake single courses in relevant areas at any appropriate institution.
For example within South Australia the following are currently acceptable:
Psychology
University of South Australia *HLTH
1016 - Health Perspectives
Open Universities Australia
PSY11 & PSY12 - Introduction to Psychology 1A & 1B
Human Physiology
University of South Australia *BIOL
2041 - Human Science: Physiology 200
Human Anatomy
University of South Australia *HLTH
1020 - Human Anatomy 100
-
To apply for single course enrolments at the University of South Australia please download and complete the Application for Admission form. This form CANNOT be submitted electronically.
- Please note there is a pathway program available for international students that will help with meeting the pre-requisites.
Fees
The Graduate Entry program is a full-fee paying program. Payment of fees is on a pro rata basis at the beginning of each semester. The program is equivalent to two years full-time study, the fees below are for one year full-time study.
|
Fees Structure for 2008 |
|
|---|---|
| Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents | Fees calculated at the course level see IMOG homepage |
| International/ overseas students | AUS$23,000 (1 yr F/T or 36 units of study) |
Australian citizens can apply to borrow the amount of tuition fees under the FEE-HELP scheme. More information about the FEE-HELP scheme is available by selecting here.
How to apply
- Approximately 20 students will be accepted to commence the
Graduate Entry program in study period 5 (July) of each year.
For 2010, applications must be made directly to the University of South Australia through Apply On-Line. - International prospective students should apply through the International Prospective Students Office.
- Applications to join the Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) in study period 5 of 2010 will open on 1st September 2009 and close on 31st January 2010.
- Late applications may be considered, depending on the availability of places.
Further enquiries
For any enquiries about the Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) program please contact the School of Health Sciences at healthstudy@unisa.edu.au or on (08) 8302 2425.