Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) will enable you to help people with disabilities, and those recovering from injury or with ongoing conditions to overcome barriers that may be preventing them from participating more fully in life. It teaches you alternative techniques that help them to achieve a given task and facilitate skill improvement. As an occupational therapy student, you will combine practical learning with extensive clinical placements to aid recovery and skill development. Occupational therapists work with individuals and groups of all ages and needs in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private practice and community centres. They also work in non-traditional areas such as early intervention, health promotion, education, consultancy, industry and accessibility. During this four year degree, you will cover a wide range of topics including theories of what people do in daily life and why; knowledge of the development of human capabilities (e.g. cognitive, motor, psychosocial) and the ways in which injury and illness typically disrupt them; activity and environmental analysis; and theories and techniques for promoting participation in daily life. Through over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical placement you will gain hands-on experience with real clients, learning to combine your knowledge with the practical abilities required of the profession. Upon graduation you will be eligible for membership with Occupational Therapy Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. The breadth of occupational therapy means that you can diversify your career while staying within the same profession, working with a broad range of clients in a number of settings. Careers & future study Future study options Graduate opportunities Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Occupational Therapy) are qualified to work as occupational therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals and groups of all ages and needs in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private practice and community centres. They also work in non-traditional areas such as early intervention, health promotion, education, consultancy, industry and accessibility. Graduates also have the option of changing careers a number of times while staying within the same profession. For example, a therapist could commence a career working one-on-one with teens with spinal cord injury, then work with babies in neonatal intensive care, adults in occupational rehabilitation at a large insurance company, or young adults in a community mental health program. Course opportunities Professional practice is an integral part of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy). Fieldwork education consists of block placements and other guided learning experiences. These experiences provide candidates with an opportunity to practice skills and take responsibility commensurate with their background knowledge and level of development acquired during the course.