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Master of Occupational Therapy

Program overview

Occupational therapy is a dynamic, diverse, and rewarding profession. You will work with individuals, community groups and organisations to help them overcome barriers imposed by illness, injury, disability, psychological impairment, developmental delay or through the ageing and dying process. 

With a focus on functional outcomes, occupational therapists are practical problem solvers and have a broad perspective of health and wellbeing, underpinned by a solid scientific base. 

Bond’s Master of Occupational Therapy is an extended masters, renowned for its unique blend of case-based learning, practical application and 1040 hours of fieldwork embedded in the program. It is also the first Occupational Therapy master’s in Australia that gives you the choice between a Clinically-focused Research Pathway (preparing you for careers in research and academia) or a Business-focused Research Pathway (where you undertake business electives relevant to careers in management and/or the private sector).

High-achieving students, who complete the Clinically-focused Research Pathway, may apply to progress to the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy.

Enhance your professional communication skills in real-world health and social care settings with the opportunity to partake in block placements in a variety of practice settings as well as clinical practice experience embedded across the program. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with a range of community partners in innovative research and business projects.

Program code: CC-63050

CRICOS code: 106625H

Program overview

Occupational therapy is a dynamic, diverse, and rewarding profession. You will work with individuals, community groups and organisations to help them overcome barriers imposed by illness, injury, disability, psychological impairment, developmental delay or through the ageing and dying process. 

With a focus on functional outcomes, occupational therapists are practical problem solvers and have a broad perspective of health and wellbeing, underpinned by a solid scientific base. 

Bond’s Master of Occupational Therapy is an extended masters, renowned for its unique blend of case-based learning, practical application and 1040 hours of fieldwork embedded in the program. It is also the first Occupational Therapy master’s in Australia that gives you the choice between a Clinically-focused Research Pathway (preparing you for careers in research and academia) or a Business-focused Research Pathway (where you undertake business electives relevant to careers in management and/or the private sector).

High-achieving students, who complete the Clinically-focused Research Pathway, may apply to progress to the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy.

Enhance your professional communication skills in real-world health and social care settings with the opportunity to partake in block placements in a variety of practice settings as well as clinical practice experience embedded across the program. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with a range of community partners in innovative research and business projects.

Program code: CC-63050

CRICOS code: 106625H

A day in the life of an Occupational Therapist

About this program

Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program is designed to produce highly competitive graduates with comprehensive clinical skills as well as possessing a solid business acumen and research experience. It is the first Occupational Therapy Masters in Australia to offer you the opportunity to complete a clinical research project or undertake business electives in preparation for a career in private practice. You will engage in either the Clinically-focused Research Pathway or Business-focused Research Pathway. The Clinically-focused Research Pathway prepares you for entry into higher research degrees and careers in research and academia, as well as bolstering research networks and culminates in an individual research project that may be eligible for publication.  The Business-focused Research Pathway enables you to undertake business electives that will enable you to undertake management roles, and better prepare you to work in the growing private sector. The pathway culminates in an industry research project where you will apply both research and business skills. You will be taught by academics and industry staff who are current practising clinicians with up to date industry knowledge.

Professional accreditation

Australia

Bond University's Master of Occupational Therapy is approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.  

Successful graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. 

 United States of America 

Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy and Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy programs are approved for Preaccreditation with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in the United States of America.  

Bond University's Master of Occupational Therapy is approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.   

Upon completion of all requirements of the two-year Master of Occupational Therapy program, students who opt to pursue the Bond Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy are eligible to apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia

Information for students planning to register to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the United States of America: 

Bond University’s entry-level Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program has been granted Preaccreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, USA. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is +1 (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all US states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.   

Note: Students must successfully complete all requirements of the Master of Occupational Therapy, including coursework and 24 weeks of Level II Fieldwork Practice Education, within 4 years of commencement of the degree program.

What you'll be studying

  • Foundational semesters

    Early in the program, you’ll learn the foundations of occupational therapy and complete a range of subjects from neuroscience, environments, work, play, multidisciplinary care, evidence-based practice and enabling independence. You’ll develop a critical understanding of common health conditions and the impact of physical and mental disabilities, as well as devising tailored solutions in terms of risk prevention, injury management, rehabilitation, and on-going care through the core curriculum.

Program features

  • Learn by doing

    Develop your skills related to the specialist practice of occupational therapy through extensive professional practice placements in a variety of settings. The program places a strong emphasis on practical experience with 1,000 hours of practice education across various clinical contexts.

  • A degree unique to you

    Choose a Clinically-focused Research Pathway to prepare for entry into higher research degrees and careers in research/academia. This stream culminates in an individual research project that may be eligible for publication. Or choose the Business-focused Research Pathway where you’ll undertake business and management electives, preparing you to work in the growing private sector, in leadership roles.  This pathway culminates in an industry research project where you’ll apply research and business skills.

  • Fast-track your way there

    Complete the full educational pathway to qualify as an occupational therapist in just 4 years of study. Undergraduate pathways include Bond’s Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Performance, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, and Bachelor of Psychology all of which can each be completed in two years. As such, this is a fast-track pathway to postgraduate qualifications and a high-level career in occupational therapy.

  • A pathway into Medicine

    If you are interested in pursuing a medical career, high achieving graduates of the Master of Occupational Therapy program may be eligible to enter Year 2 of Bond’s Medical Program (lateral entry pathway).

    Watch the Lateral Entry Information video.

     

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Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the essential abilities, knowledge and skills required to successfully complete the program. Learn more about the inherent requirements and make an informed decision about your capacity to undertake the program.

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Hear from our Bondies

  • I am from the United States and researching overseas schools can be an intimidating process. However, the more I read about Bond, the more I was convinced it would be the place for me to continue my education. The academics in the Master of Occupational Therapy program are leaders in the Australian Occupational Therapy community and their field knowledge added a practical twist to each lesson. My cohort was very multicultural which enabled me to see what healthcare looks like in various parts of the world. 

    Vivian Fitzgerald - Occupational Therapy alumna
  • The academics in the program go above and beyond to help their students in every way possible; they guide and mentor and are genuinely interested in helping students succeed. The academics have vast backgrounds as practicing OT’s and are very knowledgeable in their fields and are always approachable.

    Leandre Conradie - Alumna and Medicine student
  • I graduated from a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Exercise Physiologist) in Canada and worked for an organisation that supported people with development disabilities and their families. I eventually became a kinesiologist with a private company for three years but was looking to upgrade my skills. I took advantage of having occupational therapists as colleagues and talked to them about their role in helping others - I eventually pursued occupational therapy and enrolled at Bond! 

    Derek Ng - Occupational Therapy alumnus
  • Occupational therapy is such a diverse and rewarding career and can change people’s lives. The opportunities for OT’s seems to be growing due to demand, especially in the current climate. 

    Professor Susan Brandis - Head of Occupational Therapy
PreviousNext

Hear from our Bondies

  • I am from the United States and researching overseas schools can be an intimidating process. However, the more I read about Bond, the more I was convinced it would be the place for me to continue my education. The academics in the Master of Occupational Therapy program are leaders in the Australian Occupational Therapy community and their field knowledge added a practical twist to each lesson. My cohort was very multicultural which enabled me to see what healthcare looks like in various parts of the world. 

    Vivian Fitzgerald - Occupational Therapy alumna
  • The academics in the program go above and beyond to help their students in every way possible; they guide and mentor and are genuinely interested in helping students succeed. The academics have vast backgrounds as practicing OT’s and are very knowledgeable in their fields and are always approachable.

    Leandre Conradie - Alumna and Medicine student
  • I graduated from a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Exercise Physiologist) in Canada and worked for an organisation that supported people with development disabilities and their families. I eventually became a kinesiologist with a private company for three years but was looking to upgrade my skills. I took advantage of having occupational therapists as colleagues and talked to them about their role in helping others - I eventually pursued occupational therapy and enrolled at Bond! 

    Derek Ng - Occupational Therapy alumnus
  • Occupational therapy is such a diverse and rewarding career and can change people’s lives. The opportunities for OT’s seems to be growing due to demand, especially in the current climate. 

    Professor Susan Brandis - Head of Occupational Therapy
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