Students help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing.
They take courses in occupational therapy, biological and social sciences and public health. Advanced courses include human development, functional anatomy and enabling occupation. Students gain clinical experience and meet requirements for professional accreditation with fieldwork placements available each year in rural and urban settings. Students can opt to undertake an embedded honours pathway (dependent on GPA) that provides research training experience.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
They take courses in occupational therapy, biological and social sciences and public health. Advanced courses include human development, functional anatomy and enabling occupation. Students gain clinical experience and meet requirements for professional accreditation with fieldwork placements available each year in rural and urban settings. Students can opt to undertake an embedded honours pathway (dependent on GPA) that provides research training experience.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placements, students must obtain a Suitability Card, complete a criminal history check (from second year), hepatitis B immunisation and first aid and CPR training and purchase an occupational therapy student uniform — refer to Program requirements. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placements outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional/rural centres. Expenses for these and other placement requirements are to be incurred by the student. Placements in third and fourth years are undertaken on a full-time basis.
Career opportunities
Hospitals, community health and mental health, vocational rehabilitation, child and adolescent services, aged care, private practice.
Membership
Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Registration
Registration is a requirement to work as an occupational therapist in Australia. Occupational therapist apply for registration through the Occupational Therapists Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Program structure
For students commencing Semester 1, 2014. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as listed below.
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card - Working with Children Check - QLD). This is required by Week 8 of Semester 1, first Year and is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG).
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule).
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained throughout the program).
- Purchase the required OT uniform.
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is to be borne by the student.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please refer to the English language requirements.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Introductory courses (9)
COR109 Indigenous Wellbeing Foundations
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
LFS112 Introduction to Psychology A
LFS122 Introduction to Psychology B
OCC101 Communication and Thought
OCC102 Becoming a Teacher
SCI110 Foundation of English and Mathematics
PSY100 Science and Sustainability in Primary Schools
PSY101 The First Three Years of Life and Learning
Advanced courses (13)
OCC201 Professional Learning 1: A Holistic Approach to Learning
OCC202 Early Learning Environments and Curriculum
OCC212 Documenting Children's Learning
OCC222 Professional Learning 2: Early Learning Experiences
OCC232 Language and Literacies in Education
OCC301 Play and Inquiry Based Learning
OCC311 Sustainable Communities for Children and Families
OCC312 Guiding Play and Inquiry-based Learning
OCC321 Professional Learning 3: Building on Early Learning
OCC322 Human Development and Early Learning
OCC331 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
PSY203 Australian History and Geography in SOSE
SPX201 Transition to School: Early Learning Environments and Curriculum
Plus one (1) of the following pathways:
Pass-Level Pathway (6) courses
OCC302 Investigating the World Around Us
OCC401 Teaching HPE in the Early Years
OCC402 Policy and Practice in Early Education
OCC412 Self Expression and Communicating Through the Arts
PUB112 Professional Learning 4: Continuity of Early Learning Experience
SCS286 Teaching Reading and Writing
Honours Pathway (5) courses
OCC332 Teaching Mathematics
OCC401 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
OCC402 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
OCC412 Assessing and Reporting: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements
OCC422 Professional Learning 5: Formal and Intentional Teaching