Help people live everyday life and overcome day-to-day barriers.
Occupational Therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. In this program, you’ll learn occupational therapy, biological and social sciences, public health, and functional anatomy.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Occupational Therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. In this program, you’ll learn occupational therapy, biological and social sciences, public health, and functional anatomy.
Right from first year through to your final year, you’ll complete 1000 hours of fieldwork designed to give you professional skills and clinical experience in a wide range of settings and age groups. USC offers specialised facilities including a simulated independent living unit and allied health clinics to allow you to convert your knowledge into real life scenarios.
Gain research training experience and opt to undertake an embedded honours pathway (dependent on GPA). Our degree is fully accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and as you graduate you’ll be eligible for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placements, students must obtain a Suitability Card, complete a criminal history check (from second year), hepatitis B immunisation and first aid and CPR training and purchase an occupational therapy student uniform — refer to Program requirements. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placements outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional/rural centres. Expenses for these and other placement requirements are to be incurred by the student. Placements in third and fourth years are undertaken on a full-time basis.
Career opportunities
Hospitals, community health and mental health, vocational rehabilitation, child and adolescent services, aged care, private practice.
Membership
Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Registration
Registration is a requirement to work as an occupational therapist in Australia. Occupational therapist apply for registration through the Occupational Therapists Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Program structure
For students commencing Semester 1, 2015. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses (9)
COR109 Online Journalism
LFS103 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
LFS112 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
LFS122 Public Relations Events Project
OCC101 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
OCC102 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
SCI110 Creative Advertising
PSY100 Advanced News Reporting
PSY101 International Communication
Advanced courses (13)
OCC201 Research into Journalism
OCC202 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
OCC212 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
OCC222 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
OCC232 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
OCC301 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
OCC311 Environment, Heritage and Tourism
OCC312 Politics and the Media
OCC321 Communication and Thought
OCC322 Introductory Bioscience
OCC331 Human Physiology
PSY203 Human Anatomy
SPX201 Concepts in Human Occupation
Plus one (1) of the following pathways:
Pass-Level Pathway (6) courses
OCC302 Participation in Occupation
OCC401 Science Research Methods
OCC402 Introduction to Psychology A
OCC412 Introduction to Psychology B
PUB112 Occupational Therapy Theory
SCS286 Occupational Therapy Skills
Honours Pathway (5) courses
OCC332 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
OCC401 Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
OCC402 Foundations of Practice: Identifying the Occupational Therapist Role in Practice
OCC412 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
OCC422 Enabling Occupation: The Adult
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as listed below.
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card - Working with Children Check - QLD). This is required by Week 8 of Semester 1, first Year and is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG).
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule).
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained throughout the program).
- Purchase the required OT uniform.
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is to be borne by the student.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to occupational therapy students.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please refer to the English language requirements.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.