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Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)

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Program director/s

• Ms Sue Gilbert-Hunt (IBOC - Occupational Therapy)

Student Registration
Student registration with the State Registration Board is required prior to enrolment in this program and must be maintained throughout the program.  See the requirements on the Occupational Therapy Board of South Australia web-site. Students who fail to register or who do not meet registration criteria and are refused registration by the Board, or who have their registration rescinded during the program, will be unable to continue in the program.

Applicants with a confirmed offer* must register on the Registration Board's Student Register before commencing the program.

* International Applicants: Confirmation of Enrolment letter
* Domestic Applicants: SATAC Offer

Police Check
All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have had a police clearance prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.

Medical and Health Sciences  brochure (PDF - 2048KB download Adobe Acrobat)

Aim

This program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and qualities to become innovative and competent occupational therapists able to meet the challenges of professional practice in diverse settings.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following qualifications:

• Qualified for SACE and:
  • recorded achievement in five SACE subjects taken at Stage 2 level; and
  • included at least four Stage 2 subjects which are approved Higher Education Selection Subjects (HESS); and
  • obtained a competitive TER;
• Completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE;
• Completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points;
• Completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution;
• Completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level;
• Completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Diploma or above;
• Qualified for Special Entry;
• Completed the Health Sciences stream of the UniSA Foundation Studies program.

English Language Entry Requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission:

• English Language Test (see Note 1)
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    • Overall band score - 6.5
    • Reading and Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) equivalent;
• English Language Programs
  • Successful completion of the CELUSA Academic English Program at the appropriate level
• Other qualifications
  • Successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years; or
  • Successful completion of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years; or
  • Successful completion of one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which English is commonly used, as determined by the University (see Note 2).

Note 1:  Results from IELTS and TOEFL are valid for two years.

Note 2:  The University, through UniSA International, maintains a list of countries where English is commonly used and which would satisfy this criterion. This may include particular educational institutions within a given non-English speaking country where English is the language of instruction. 

Content/structure

The program is structured into five streams of foundation sciences, research, professional practice skills, enabling occupation (occupational therapy theory and practice) and field practice. All streams are developed throughout the four years of the program with emphasis being placed on students developing their potential, competence, and confidence as independent learners and ultimately as graduate occupational therapists. Knowledge, and skills in problem solving, communication, life long learning, group work, ethical action and valuing difference are qualities that are emphasised and developed throughout the program.

The program requires completion of 144 units of study.

Professional Recognition

The program is recognised for registration by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board of South Australia for professional practice as an Occupational Therapist.

Honours

Students who achieve a credit level average may be offered the opportunity to do Honours in the third year of the program. Students who successfully complete the Honours program will be awarded the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy with Honours).

Fee information

Program requirements

Rules

1. Police Check: All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have had an Australian police clearance prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.
2. Student registration with the State Registration Board is required prior to enrolment in this program and must be maintained throughout the program.
3. Students will be required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions and agencies in which field practice is undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent them satisfying the requirements for completion of the program.
4. Maximum credit allowed - normally up to two thirds of the total units of the program.

Notes

1. Students are advised that a current South Australian drivers licence may be required by some field practice agencies and a drivers licence is considered an advantage for field practice opportunities.
   
2. Students are advised that a current first aid certificate must be obtained prior to the commencement of the first field practice component of the program midway into the first half of first year.
   
3. Students are advised that they may be required to spend at least one field practice placement outside of Adelaide in a country or interstate agency.
   
4. Students may be required to undertake field practice placement outside of normal university teaching weeks.
   
5. Students who achieve credit standard or higher in a high percentage of the graded courses which make up the first three years of the program may be considered for the honours program. A quota of places is offered each year, beginning with the most highly ranked student. An invitation to undertake Honours will normally be made at the end of the first half of third year. The courses Occupational Therapy Honours 301, 400 and 401 replace the elective and courses Professional Portfolio 400 and Professional Portfolio 401.
6. The Elective is a free elective selected by the student. See undergraduate elective courses..
   

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