Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Graduate certificates and postgraduate diploma courses

Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy (HCOT)

Coordinator: Ms Ellie Fossey

Tel: (03) 9479 5815

Email: e.fossey@latrobe.edu.au

Duration: 1 year part-time

This course enables graduates with occupational therapy qualifications to pursue further studies specifically tailored to supporting occupational therapists’ professional development. It also provides a pathway into continuing postgraduate study within the Master of Occupational Therapy course, with the option to transfer into the Master of Occupational Therapy program for students who demonstrate a high level of achievement (B grade average: 70+).

Admission requirements

Applicants should hold at least a WFOT-recognised Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree (or equivalent). Evidence of some professional practice experience is preferred. Prospective applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements should contact the course coordinator for information about non-standard (conditional) admission.

Course structure

The program is only offered on a part-time basis. A minimum of one year part-time equivalent study is required to complete the course. All students must undertake 60 credit points of study in the Masters program to meet eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy. Credit is not normally granted for previously completed courses of study.

Students undertake 60 credit points of coursework, equivalent to four 15 credit point subjects of study, on a part-time basis as follows.

Two core 15 credit point coursework subjects:

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 OCT4OHF/ OCT5OHF Graduate Research Skills 15
plus at least 15 credit points of study from the following:
TE-SEM-1 OCT5OTA Occupation: Foundations in Occupational Science and Therapy 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5OTB Occupation-Focused Assessment and Intervention 15
plus at least 15 credit points of study from the following:
TE-SEM-1 OCT5AGW Advanced Group Work 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT5AOT Application of Orthotic Devices in Upper Limb Therapy 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5RCT Assisting People in Crisis and Emotional Trauma 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5NRE Neurological Rehabilitation: Theories to Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT5PAE Paediatric Intervention in Occupational Therapy 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5PAO Assessment and Outcome Measurement in Paediatric Practice 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5ATE Advanced Environmental Intervention and Assistive Technology 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5CRD Advanced Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making 15
plus 15 credit points of further study chosen from either the above occupational therapy subjects, or from the following electives:
TE-SEM-1 PHE4QVN Quality Supervision 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT4HWB Health and Wellbeing of Older People 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT4MPC Multi Professional Care of Older People 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT4OHE/ OCT5OHE Professional Practice in the Workplace 15
TE-SEM-1/2 Approved postgraduate electives relevant to occupational therapy practice

Electives are approved on an individual basis, depending on the program of study being undertaken and are subject to approval by the course coordinator.

Subjects are offered subject to sufficient enrolments and some are offered in alternate years.