• Program summary
• Program overview
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation 
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Requirements for placements
• Enquiries
• Recommended enrolment pattern

Program summary

QTAC code: 013421
OP/Rank for 2008 entry: OP-13 / Rank-74
Award abbreviation: BOccThpy
Degree type: undergraduate
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places
Total units: 384 (normally 32 courses)
Prerequisites: English (4,SA), plus one of Biological Science, Chemistry, Physics, or Health and Physical Education (4,SA)
Commence: Semester 1 only
CRICOS code: not available to international students on student visas

Program overview

Occupational therapists are health professionals trained to work with people with problems caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay, or the effects of ageing. Occupational therapists are trained to assess an individual’s skills and abilities, and then to work with them to improve their skills for increased independence, wellbeing and quality of life.

The School of Health and Sports Sciences at USC offers this new and innovative occupational therapy program using courses in professional practice, as well as courses from biomedical science, exercise science, nursing, health promotion, professional practice and management. The program also offers extensive clinical experience.

Professional membership

Graduates may be eligible for membership to join the Association of Occupational Therapists at the completion of their studies. They may also be eligible to register with the Occupational Therapists' Board of Queensland.

Career opportunities

Occupational Therapists may choose employment in a number of settings including:

• medical rehabilitation
• private practice
• psychiatric clinics, hostels and hospitals
• public and private hospitals
• retirement homes
• schools
• workplace health and safety offices

Special features

• new state-of-the-art specialised teaching facilities, such as a splint lab and independent living unit, under construction
• fieldwork experiences integrated into each year of the program

Program structure

Core courses

Select 1 course from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Introductory courses

9 required courses:
LFS122(D) Human Anatomy
LFS112(D) Human Physiology
LFS103(D) Introductory Bioscience
OCC101 Concepts in Human Occupation
OCC102 Participation in Occupation
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
SCI110 Science Research Methods

Advanced courses

18 required courses:
OCC201 Occupational Therapy Theory ##
OCC202 Occupational Therapy Skills  ##
OCC212 Evaluation of Occupational Performance ##
OCC222 Causes of Occupational Dysfunction ##
OCC232 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork I (12 units) ##
OCC301 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent ###
OCC302 Therapeutic Reasoning: Process, Means and Methods ###
OCC311 Enabling Occupation: The Adult ###
OCC312 Enabling Occupation: The Older Person ###
OCC321 Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy ###
OCC331 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork II (12 units) ###
OCC322 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork III (24 units) ###
OCC401 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork IV (48 units) ####
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy ####
OCC412 OT as a Complex Process ####
SCS226 Developmental Psychology
SCS286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SPX201 Functional Anatomy

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. A current Working with Children Blue Card is required from the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian before commencing clinical practice. This application process can take up to 10 weeks for processing.
2. Refer to the Academic Rules.
3. Refer to explanation of terms.
4. Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern.
5. International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.

You must hold a Blue Card to undertake any course which involves possible contact with children, including any required fieldwork placements. You should allow 12 weeks for the Commission to issue the card. More information about the Blue Card and how to apply.

You are also required to undergo Hepatitis B vaccination prior to undertaking any fieldwork placement. Hepatitis B vaccinations (3 inoculations) are done over a period of six months. This means that you need to prepare for your fieldwork placements well in advance. It is also a requirement that students undertaking fieldwork have a valid Senior First Aid certificate (including CPR). Vaccination and First Aid certification are to be obtained at the student's expense, and evidence must be provided to the faculty office.

It is Queensland Health (QH) requirement that you complete an orientation package before undertaking any placement which involves QH. The package can be completed online.

How to apply

Apply for an undergraduate program.

Enquiries 

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

## Not offered till 2009
### Not offered till 2010
#### Not offered till 2011

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