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School of Occupational Therapy

Master of Occupational Therapy

The Master of Occupational Therapy degree course at La Trobe University enables graduates with qualifications in occupational therapy to pursue postgraduate studies in courses specifically tailored to supporting occupational therapists’ professional development and career advancement..

The flexible modes of study allow you to:

  • study a single unit in an area of particular interest;
  • undertake all coursework towards your Masters degree, or to combine coursework with a research thesis as part of your Masters degree;
  • develop specialist knowledge and skills in specific practice areas to effectively respond to the needs of particular populations and communities;
  • extend your knowledge of the evidence base of occupational therapy;
  • deepen your understanding of occupation, and theoretical frameworks used in occupational therapy;
  • learn skills for critically appraising and undertaking research;
  • define an area of study related to your professional interests in some units;
  • combine units with campus-based classes, and units with distance education and online modes of learning in your studies.

The Master of Occupational Therapy course also provides a standard of advanced theoretical and applied studies which, if completed at a high level, can enable students to meet the eligibility requirements for entry into the Doctor of Clinical Science (professional doctorate with coursework & thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy (doctorate by research) programs.

 

Admission Requirements

Course Structure

Fees

Further Information

Applications

Enquiries

 

Admission Requirements

Entry requirements for the Master of Occupational Therapy vary depending on the mode of enrolment (i.e. Mode 1: coursework only, or Mode 2: coursework and thesis). Applicants should hold at least a four year World Federation of Occupational Therapists recognised Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree (or equivalent) and provide evidence of a high level of achievement in their previous study.

For Mode 1 (100% coursework), applicants should hold a four year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree with a high B average (75%+), and show evidence of clinical expertise and/or continuing professional development.

For Mode 2 (50% coursework; 50% thesis), applicants should hold a four year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree with Honours degree (H2A, 75 % +) or relevant Postgraduate Diploma (with H2A, 75%+ and evidence of research ability). Prospective students who are considering undertaking a research project as part of the Master of Occupational Therapy program should also discuss potential topics with the Course Coordinator, prior to applying.

Prospective applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements should contact the course coordinator for information about non-standard (conditional) admission. Non-standard entry may involve satisfactory completion of a negotiated program of postgraduate study, prior to enrolment.

Single unit of study

Occupational Therapists with a WFOT recognised occupational therapy qualification may undertake some individual coursework units from the Master of Occupational Therapy program as single units of study for professional development (except research project-related units).

Single units of study enrolments are due no later than four weeks prior to the commencement of the unit. Contact our Student Services Office for further information and assistance with enrolment.

International applicants

should contact La Trobe International to obtain an International Prospectus which includes information on admission requirements, English language requirements, course fees, accommodation, student visas, and application procedures.

Tel: + 61 3 9479 1199
Fax: + 61 3 9479 3660
Email: international@latrobe.edu.au
Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/international

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Course Structure

The Master of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. A minimum of one full-time equivalent study is required to complete the course.

All students must complete 120 credit points of study in the Masters program to meet the eligibility criteria for Master of Occupational Therapy degree, which can be undertaken by coursework only (Mode 1, described below) OR by coursework and research thesis (Mode 2, described on page 2).

Course Structure - Mode 1: coursework only

Students undertake 120 credit points of coursework, equivalent to eight 15 credit point units of study in total, including the following:

Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
THREE core coursework units (45 credit points of study) including:
OCT5OHF Graduate Research Skills 15
OCT5OTA Occupation: Foundations in occupational science & therapy 15
OCT5OTB Occupation-focused assessment & intervention 15
AND a further 75 credit points of study from the following:
OCT5AGW Advanced Groupwork 15
OCT5CRD Advanced Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making 15
OCT5ATE Advanced environmental intervention & assistive technology (New from 2007, subject to final approval) 15
OCT5AOT Application of orthotic devices in upper limb therapy 15
OCT5RCT Assisting People in Crisis & Emotional Trauma 15
OCT5CPP Consumer perspective & participation
(New from 2007, subject to final approval)
15
OCT5NRE Neurological Rehabilitation: Theories to Practice 15
OCT5OAD Occupational Adaptation 15
OCT5PAE Paediatric intervention in Occupational Therapy 15
OCT5PAO Assessment & outcome measurement in paediatric practice (New from 2007, subject to final approval) 15
OCT5OHE Professional practice in the workplace 15
OCT5ROT Readings in Occupational Therapy 15
  Approved electives relevant to occupational therapy practice Up to 30 credit points
TOTAL 120*
Exit 1:                              Master of Occupational Therapy
Course Structure - Mode 2: coursework and thesis

Students undertake 120 credit points of study by combining coursework with a supervised research project written up as a thesis. The coursework component equivalent to four 15 credit point units of study, is studied first.

Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
THREE core coursework units (45 credit points of study) including:
OCT5OHF Graduate Research Skills 15
OCT5PRD Postgraduate Research Design 15

ONE of either:

  • OCT5OTA Occupation: Foundations in occupational science & therapy
  • OCT5OTB Occupation-focused assessment & intervention
  • OCT5OAD Occupational Adaptation
15
AND 15 credit points of additional study from the following:
OCT5AGW Advanced Groupwork 15
OCT5CRD Advanced Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making 15
OCT5ATE Advanced environmental intervention & assistive technology (New from 2007, subject to final approval) 15
OCT5AOT Application of orthotic devices in upper limb therapy 15
OCT5RCT Assisting People in Crisis & Emotional Trauma 15
OCT5CPP Consumer perspective & participation
(New from 2007, subject to final approval)
15
OCT5NRE Neurological Rehabilitation: Theories to Practice 15
OCT5OTA Occupation: Foundations in occupational science & therapy 15
OCT5OTB Occupation-focused assessment & intervention 15
OCT5OAD Occupational Adaptation 15
OCT5PAE Paediatric intervention in Occupational Therapy 15
OCT5PAO Assessment & outcome measurement in paediatric practice (New from 2007, subject to final approval) 15
OCT5OHE Professional practice in the workplace 15
  Approved electives relevant to occupational therapy practice Up to 30 credit points
OCT5ROT Readings in Occupational Therapy 15
Supervised research project with a 20,0000 word thesis 60
TOTAL 120*
Exit 1:                              Master of Occupational Therapy

All Master of Occupational Therapy coursework units are offered subject to sufficient enrolments, and some units are offered in alternate years.

The coursework units taught through campus-based classes may be scheduled in short blocks, or regular classes through the semester. Coursework units taught through distance education typically involve use of a distance education learning package and online modes of learning, and require access to a computer and the internet.
For more information about the content, assessment, modes of learning used, and timetabling of the coursework units, click on each unit code in the above table.

Approved Electives

Some units in other postgraduate programs offered by Schools/Centres within the Faculty of Health Sciences may be taken as electives towards the Master of Occupational Therapy, subject to approval by the course co-ordinator. For example, some units offered in the following programs may be approved as electives:

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master in Professional Practice Development

All approved electives will be postgraduate units of study relevant to occupational therapy practice. Electives may be approved up to a maximum of 30 credit points of study in the Master of Occupational Therapy by coursework only (mode 1), and up to a maximum of 15 credit points of study in the Master of Occupational Therapy by coursework and thesis (mode 2).

To identify postgraduate units of relevance to your area of occupational therapy practice that may be suitable as electives, you can find further information about postgraduate coursework units offered within the Faculty of Health Sciences via their webpage: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/health/courses.html

Electives are approved on an individual basis, depending on the program of study being undertaken – contact the MOT course co-ordinator for further details.

 

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Fees

The Master of Occupational Therapy course attracts tuition fees. These fees are paid pro-rata, depending on study load, for units of study in which students are enrolled. Australian citizens may be eligible to apply for the Federal Government’s deferred payment scheme FEE-HELP.

Fees are revised annually - further details can be obtained from the School of Occupational Therapy.

Scholarships and prizes

Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships

Potential research topics and supervision

Prospective students who are considering undertaking a research project as part of the program are advised to discuss potential topics and supervision arrangements with the Course Coordinator.

See also:
School of Occupational Therapy Research Strengths and Priorities
Recent postgraduate thesis titles

 

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Further Information

MOT brochure pdf

Further info about postgraduate study in the School of Occupational Therapy:

Postgraduate Occupational Health & Safety courses brochure pdf
Higher Degrees Brochure pdf

 

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Applications

Closing date: Friday 24 November 2006.

Prospective local applicants wishing to apply at other times, should contact the Student Services Office.

Application form can be obtained from the Student Services Office, or downloaded here.

International applicants must contact La Trobe International for information regarding applications:

Email: international@latrobe.edu.au
Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/international

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Enquiries

 
Course and enrolment:

Contact our School's Reception:

Email: ot_general@latrobe.edu.au
Telephone: (03) 9479 5815
Fax: (03) 9479 5257
Course content:

Contact the course coordinator:

July 2006 – January 2007: Associate Professor Carolyn Unsworth, Acting MOT Course Coordinator, email.

February 2007 onwards: Ellie Fossey, MOT Course Coordinator, email.

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Content Approved by: Head of School
Page maintained by: Faculty of Health Sciences
Last Updated: 21 December, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Approved by: Head of School
Page maintained by: Faculty of Health Sciences
Last Updated: 21 December, 2009
13 May, 2008