Deakin University Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (OT) Overview

Deakin’s accredited Bachelor of Occupational Therapy gives you a cutting-edge and practical education. It will prepare you to identify people’s strengths and limitations, environmental and social supports and barriers, and the role these play on people’s ability to participate in occupations that are meaningful to them. You will gain the expertise to develop personalised evidence-based interventions for people who live with a range of health limitations, including those caused by injury, health conditions, developmental or environmental barriers.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop throughout your study will allow you to help vulnerable people achieve independence at home, at work and in the community, enhancing their quality of life as a result. You’ll also be qualified to work with children with physical or intellectual disabilities, people who have had accidents or are suffering from medical problems, and people in aged care.

In this program you will study the following:

Year 1 – you will take basic science courses including anatomy and physiology, students will also get an introduction to Occupational Therapy

Year 2 – you will delve more into the specifics of Occupational Therapy with courses such as Occupations in Child Development and Analysis of Occupational Performance

Year 3 – you will look at evaluation and intervention in occupational performance as well as psychosocial influences.  You will also have your 1st large block of placement in the 2nd semester

Year 4 – you will take courses that support transition into occupational therapy practice.  You will also have blocks of placement.

There is will be an option at the end of your third to transition into the honours degree.   Here you will complete a research project along side your placement.  You must meet the GPA requirements to be able to take advantage of this option.

Clinical Work Experience

You will undertake a variety of practicum placements throughout the four years of the course, commencing in your first year. Practice Education provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience under the supervision of qualified practitioners, which will enable you to practise confidently as an occupational therapist. You will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of practical experience.

On campus you will be able to learn in Deakin’s new clinical skills laboratory, which simulates real-life settings to prepare you for your work placements and beyond.  Off campus, Practice Education is conducted in a range of settings including schools, hospitals, clinics, community health organisations and industry, in metropolitan, regional and rural locations.  You will also have the option to complete an overseas study tour to countries including Denmark, India, Sri Lanka and Sweden, putting your acquired skills into practice and learning about the occupational therapy profession from different perspectives.

Entry Requirements

Students will be required to have a completed High school diploma with a minimum 75%.

Students with some university study are eligible to apply to this program.  You will be required to provide extra supporting documents.   Contact KOM for more information.

Professional Recognition

Deakin University’s Bachelor of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.   Graduates are eligible for occupational therapy registration in any State or Territory of Australia through the  Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Graduates applying to licensing in Canada will be required to provide details of their program of studies to the relevant bodies and sit a licensing examination.

Students wishing to license as a Occupational Therapist in Canada should contact the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulators Organization (ACOTRO)  for procedures and accreditation procedures. The ACOTRO is the national federation of provincial/territorial regulators in Canada.

KOM Consultants understands the process and requirements needed to enter the Occupational Therapy profession in Canada. Contact KOM Consultants for more information. All students applying directly through KOM Consultants will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.