Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Effective from 01-JAN-2025 : Code H96

Occupational therapy promotes health and well-being through enabling engagement in meaningful occupations, which are the tasks and roles that people need to and want to do. This course prepares occupational therapy graduates to have a sound understanding of theoretical concepts and knowledge as well as practical hands-on’ skills. Professional placements occur throughout the course and these experiences assist students to graduate work ready.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory Professional Practice placements. Year 1 OCT1204 40 hours OCT1108 60 hours Year 2 OCT2100 80 hours OCT2105 136 hours Year 3 OCT3303 240 hours (Usually completed in a 6 week block) Year 4 OCT4201 minimum of 280 hours (Usually completed in a 7 week block and may include the Summer School period) OCT4202 minimum of 280 hours (Usually completed in a 7 week block and may include the Summer School period)

Duty of care

To be eligible to undertake professional practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete range of mandatory screens, checks and training. This includes but is not limited to the following: National Police Clearance Current WA Department of Health Criminal Record Screening Clearance Card Current First Aid Certificate Current National Disability Worker Screening Check Current Working with Children Check Department of Education and Training National Criminal History Record Check Evidence of immunisation status as per the Department of Health schedule, including flu/COVID vaccination MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months prior to enrolment.

Attendance requirements

Students will be required to attend for hours and days as specified by the host organisation. These hours and days may occur outside of semester and outside of normal business hours. Additionally, due to circumstances beyond the control of the School, allocations may change with minimal notice to students. Students are provided with the opportunity to undertake part of this study in a rural or regional setting.

Application process

Student enrol into the appropriate unit after completing any pre-requisite units.

Professional practice rules

The professional practice component of the course needs to comply with the Professional Accreditation Standards for Occupational Therapy Entry Level Education Programs as devised by the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand) Ltd (OTC). Additionally, to comply with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) requirements students must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional practice education. Professional practice opportunities will require students to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide a service to a range of people with differing circumstances and needs. Students are required to be supervised and assessed by a registered occupational therapist.

Implications of failing

The professional practice component of the course is attached to core units and successful completion of these core units is a requirement to complete the occupational therapy course. A pass grade for the professional practice component is required to achieve a pass for the relevant core unit. Students who fail the professional practice component are required to repeat the unit. This could increase the time required to complete the occupational therapy course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply contemporary occupational therapy knowledge and skills to a broad range of theoretical and practical situations.
2. Think creatively and critically to anticipate challenges, and generate client-centred responses with individuals, groups, communities and populations.
3. Evaluate and synthesise information from digital technologies and other sources to support problem-solving and decision-making.
4. Communicate occupational therapy knowledge and ideas, clearly, coherently, and with independence.
5. Demonstrate cultural capability with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and other cultures within society.
6. Work collaboratively to support effective client-centred practice in diverse teams and environments.
7. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning to ensure occupational therapy practice that is safe, ethical and lawful.
8. Demonstrate the competency standards required for occupational therapy registration in Australia.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Approved by: World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

This course has been Accredited by: Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Limited.
The Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Pass and Honours) is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the OTBA. The course is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

This course has been Approved by: World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia . Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia is required to practice in the profession.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 4)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Diploma or equivalent;
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course; or

English Language requirement (Band 5)

In addition to satisfying ECU minimum English standard requirements for this course, all applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency as specified in International students are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.  Alternative acceptable tests are as follows:

• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Occupational English Test (OET) with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country as defined by AHPRA (including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12), or
• Completion of at least 5 years full-time equivalent continuous combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed in a recognised country as defined by the AHPRA (within the last 7 years). Note: The 5 years does not include the proposed ECU study.

Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.
TOEFL iBT is not accepted from 26/07/23.

Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal Student Intake Test;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Course Specific Admission Requirements

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 4 Years
• Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Part Time, Full Time

Course Coordinator

Ms Katrina LIDDIARD

Course Structure

Please refer to the Course Coordinator for the timetable for the above 4th year units.

Note: Students with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher after the first semester of third year of study may be invited to complete an Honours program. Those students will transfer to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours for the final year 3 semesters of study.