Master of Occupational Therapy

What you will study

To complete the Master of Occupational Therapy, you must complete 525 credit points.

Year 1

• Allied Health Research Design
• Pathophysiology for Occupational Therapy
• Principles and Practice of Occupational Therapy
• Environment, Health and Disability
• Gerontology
• Neuroscience Neurodevelopment
• Physical Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Structure and Function

Year 2

• Ergonomics and Safety Science
• Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy
• Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Practice
• Paediatrics
• Allied Health Research Project
• Clinical Counselling and Group Work
• Occupational Therapy Leadership in Community Development
• Orthoses and Rehabilitation Science

Year 3

• Occupational Therapy Clinical Education 1 (37. credit points)
• Occupational Therapy Clinical Education 2 (37. credit points)
• Current Concepts in Occupational Therapy Professional Practice

Entry requirements

Applicants for a Master's Degree (Coursework) must meet the University's academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Subject to the course duration, applicants usually require a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), a Bachelor's Honours Degree, a Graduate Certificate or a Graduate Diploma. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met. All Curtin courses have compulsory and other core capabilities essential for achieving course learning outcomes and graduation. Students who cannot meet or demonstrate those requirements, now or in later stages during their studies, may seek reasonable adjustments by the University, wherever possible, to facilitate alternative ways of achieving those requirements. If reasonable adjustments cannot be accommodated, Curtin will discuss study options to find an alternative course of study or an exit degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Specifically, applicants must have a bachelor's degree, preferably in a health or human science-related discipline. Entrance into the course is competitive. Evidence of studies in the biosciences (e.g. human biology) at the tertiary level is required. If such evidence is unavailable, applicants must undertake prerequisite bridging units before commencing the program. International applicants must show evidence of English language competency as demonstrated by an IELTS (International English Language Test System) of 7.0 (or equivalent as defined by Curtin’s standard list. Please note that CUTE is not accepted.

Students must have a current Essential First Aid Certificate within four weeks of entry into the first year of the course.

Applicants for this course should refer to the Faculty website for more information on Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Extensive work experience, clinical specialisation or significant publication and research experience may qualify for Credit for Recognised Learning.

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Apply occupational therapy knowledge, principles and practice to achieve client-centred and evidence-based outcomes.
• Create effective occupational therapy solutions through critical analysis, reflective practice and professional reasoning.
• Critically appraise information and apply it to contemporary occupational therapy.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately to ensure active client participation, relevant documentation and reporting and responsible sharing of professional information.
• Evaluate and apply appropriate technologies to contemporary occupational therapy practice.
• Develop and apply lifelong learning skills to achieve professional competency.
• Inform occupational therapy standards and practices through the integration of local and global perspectives.
• Practice occupational therapy in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner, incorporating perspectives of multiple stakeholders.
• Work in a professional and collaborative manner to meet ethical and legal responsibilities.

Career outcomes

The excellent reputation of Curtin’s Occupational Therapy course means that graduates are in high demand in an area of high need. Graduates may be employed in a health, community or industry setting, including urban and rural community-based programs, private practice, medical and vocational rehabilitation units, psychiatric services, mining and resource industries and schools. Work opportunities exist throughout Australia and internationally through recognition of the degree through accreditation with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Average 2025 first-year fee: $38,430 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 100 credit points (normally four units) per semester or 200 credit points (normally eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.