Courses and degrees

A-Z study options

Occupational therapy

Why study Occupational therapy?

We offer experienced health professionals and other graduates the opportunity to develop their expertise and research in professional settings. Professional doctorates take three years full-time study or part-time equivalent. In first year, you will do coursework in compulsory and elective units and the second and third years consist of a research thesis and doctoral colloquia. You may take up to 75% of the coursework in units with a strong practical and clinical orientation.

Career opportunities

Postgraduate research qualifications let you specialise in specific practice areas and apply for senior and specialist positions.

Courses

Local students

Occupational therapy courses (Mid year entry)
Offer year	Course title	Campus(es)	Duration	Semester starts
2013	Doctor of Clinical Science - Occupational Therapy	Melbourne	3 years full-time or 4-8 years part-time	Anytime
Doctor of Clinical Science - Occupational Therapy continued… Course description This program enables experienced health professionals and other graduates to further develop their expertise and undertake research in professional settings. First year comprises compulsory and elective coursework subjects; in remaining years, candidates work on a research thesis and doctoral colloquia. Prerequisite Honours degree of H2A standard or equivalent, or Master's degree of high academic standard with a thesis of at least 10,000 words, and at least three years' relevant professional experience. Applicants should also have appropriate professional qualifications. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded How to apply Please download an application form here. Full course details Clinical Science - Occupational Therapy (Doctor)Melbourne
2013	Doctor of Philosophy	Albury-Wodonga Bendigo Melbourne Melbourne (City) Other	4 years full-time or equivalent part-time	Anytime
Doctor of Philosophy continued… Course description This degree requires a major original research project under supervision and the submission of a thesis. While coursework is not a requirement for the degree, selected subjects may be recommended for some candidates. Areas of study include: health systems, policy and management, social policy; social participation; evidence based-practice; ageing and aged care; health systems policy and management; mother and child health; sex, health and society; human communication sciences; musculoskeletal research; nursing and midwifery; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; orthoptics; podiatry; prosthetics and orthotics; social work and social policy, rehabilitation; and injury prevention. Prerequisite Applicants with first-class or upper second-class honours (or an equivalent qualification) may be admitted directly to PhD candidature. Others will normally be required to enrol initially in a research master's program and, if appropriate, transfer to PhD candidature when they have demonstrated the capacity for independent research at a suitable level. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded How to apply Please download an application form here. Full course details Health Sciences (PhD)Melbourne Health Sciences (PhD)Bendigo Health Sciences (PhD)Melbourne (City) Health Sciences (PhD)Albury-Wodonga
2013	Master of Applied Science	Albury-Wodonga Melbourne Bendigo	1 years full-time, or the equivalent part-time, and a maximum of 3 years full-time or 4 years part-time.	Anytime
Master of Applied Science continued… Course description This course offers numerous research opportunities in health sciences. Areas of research expertise include: health systems policy and management; mother and child health; sex, health and society; human communication sciences; musculoskeletal research; nursing and midwifery; rehabilitation and injury prevention; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; orthoptics; podiatry; and prosthetics and orthotics. While coursework is not a requirement for the degree, selected subjects may be recommended for some candidates. Prerequisite Bachelor's degree and a fourth year of study; or Bachelor's degree and at least two years' relevant professional or research experience; or other acceptable qualifications, skills or experience. Applicants to the Department of Physiotherapy normally have an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma with at least a B average), or Master's Preliminary in physiotherapy. Applicants to the Department of Occupational Therapy normally have either an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma with at least a B average. Fee type Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded How to apply Please visit this page for candidature and scholarships forms. Full course details Applied Science (Health Sciences) (Master)Melbourne Applied Science (Health Sciences) (Master)Albury-Wodonga

How to apply

You can apply for research candidature at any time. However, applications for research scholarships close on 31 October.

To apply for Master's candidature, you need an Honours degree or Master's Preliminary. For Doctoral (PhD) candidature, you need a Master's or a Bachelor's degree with Honours, usually with a result of at least H2A.

Before applying, it's best to contact a potential academic supervisor and receive in-principle approval for your topic.

Once you've done this, you can download an application form [PDF 1.02Mb] and submit it to La Trobe's Research Services office.

Fees and scholarships

Research degrees are funded by the Commonwealth Government via the Research Training Scheme (RTS) (fees may apply to some components of some Professional Doctorates).

There are a range of scholarships available for local students.

International students

Show mid year entryShow next year’s courses

Occupational therapy international courses
Offer year	Course title (CRICOS)	Campus(es)	Duration	Semester starts	Annual Tuition Fee (AUD)
2013	Doctor of Clinical Science - Occupational Therapy (054041M)	Melbourne	4 years	Semester 1 (March)	$27 800
Doctor of Clinical Science - Occupational Therapy continued… Year 2013 Course description This program enables experienced health professionals and other graduates to further develop their expertise and undertake research in professional settings. First year comprises compulsory and elective coursework subjects; in remaining years, candidates work on a research thesis and doctoral colloquia. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent, plus at least three years of relevant professional experience. Applicants are also required to provide evidence of research expertise. Full course details Clinical Science - Occupational Therapy (Doctor)Melbourne
2013	Doctor of Philosophy (006629C)	Albury-Wodonga Bendigo Melbourne	4 years	Anytime	$27 800
Doctor of Philosophy continued… Year 2013 Course description This degree requires a major original research project under supervision and the submission of a thesis. While coursework is not a requirement for the degree, selected subjects may be recommended for some candidates. Areas of study include: health systems, policy and management, social policy; social participation; evidence based-practice; ageing and aged care; health systems policy and management; mother and child health; sex, health and society; human communication sciences; musculoskeletal research; nursing and midwifery; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; orthoptics; podiatry; prosthetics and orthotics; social work and social policy, rehabilitation; and injury prevention. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelors degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants must also provide evidence of substantial prior research expertise. Full course details Health Sciences (PhD)Melbourne Health Sciences (PhD)Bendigo Health Sciences (PhD)Melbourne (City) Health Sciences (PhD)Albury-Wodonga
2013	Master of Applied Science (074418F)	Albury-Wodonga Bendigo Melbourne Melbourne (City)	2 years	Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)	$27 560
Master of Applied Science continued… Year 2013 Course description This course offers numerous research opportunities in health sciences. Areas of research expertise include: health systems policy and management; mother and child health; sex, health and society; human communication sciences; musculoskeletal research; nursing and midwifery; rehabilitation and injury prevention; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; orthoptics; podiatry; and prosthetics and orthotics. While coursework is not a requirement for the degree, selected subjects may be recommended for some candidates. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed an Australian Bachelor's degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants with Honours at H2B level, or equivalent, may be considered in some instances. Additional information Please note that the Melbourne (city) campus is now known as Franklin Street campus. Full course details Applied Science (Health Sciences) (Master)Melbourne Applied Science (Health Sciences) (Master)Albury-Wodonga

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fee costs for international students is indicated for each course above. There are also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Finding a supervisor

One of the most important aspects of your research study will be finding a supervisor in Occupational therapy.

Overseas study opportunities

You may be eligible for our student exchange program.

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