Master of Occupational Therapy

Learning and teaching methodology

The Master of Occupational Therapy combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, case studies, fieldwork and simulation to embed the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an occupational therapist. The program focuses on real-world learning with fieldwork opportunities in most courses to help students link theory to practice. Students will learn from highly qualified occupational therapy academics with clinical and research experience. The choice of a clinically-focused or business-focused research pathway allows students to contribute to the advancement of the occupational therapy profession, and broadens future career possibilities in research, academia or private practice.

Recommended study structure*

Please visit Recommended Program Structures for guidance on study plans.

• Foundations of Occupational Therapy (OCTY71-100)
• Health Conditions and Multidisciplinary Management (OCTY71-101)
• Neuroscience for Health Professionals (OCTY71-102)
• Enabling Environments: A Systems Approach (OCTY71-103)
• Engage: In Occupation (OCTY71-104)
• Enable: Occupational Performance (OCTY71-105)
• Occupational Therapy Roles and Responsibilities (OCTY71-106)
• Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals (OCTY71-107)
• Occupational Therapy: Work (OCTY71-108)
• Occupational Therapy: Learn, Play, Connect (OCTY71-109)
• Occupational Therapy: Independence and Participation (OCTY71-110)
• The New Global Occupational Therapist (OCTY71-111)
• Promoting the Occupational Health and Well-being of Communities (OCTY71-112) 
• The Occupational Therapy Professional: Practice, Standards and Quality (OCTY71-113)
• Health Research Design & Planning (OCTY71-401)
• Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy I (30CPS)(OCTY73-700)
• Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy II (30CPS) (OCTY73-701)
• Choose one of the below subjects
• Managing People (MGMT71-104)
• Educating the Health Workforce (HPER71-114)

Students choosing to study the Research Stream will complete: 

• Health Professional Research Internship A (OCTY71-402)
• Health Professional Research Internship B (OCTY71-403)

Students choosing to study the Business Stream will complete:

• Capstone Research Project (OCTY71-404)
• Choice of 1 subject from the below elective options:
  • Health Systems: Australia and International (HPER71-111) 
  • Knowledge Translation in Healthcare (HPER71-112)
  • Accounting Principles (ACCT71-600)
  • Economics for Business (ECON71-600)
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENFB71-104)
  • Managerial Finance (FINC71-600)
  • Marketing Fundamentals (MKTG71-600)

*Subject names and structure may change

The below fees are based on the total estimated program fee divided by the number of standard full-time semesters required to complete the program. Fees may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester.

Semester program fee:

• Students commencing study in 2022: $22,840* per semester average
• Students commencing study in 2023: $23,440* per semester average

Total program fee:

• Students commencing study in 2022: $137,040
• Students commencing study in 2023: $140,640

When considering the fees associated with your studies, keep in mind that Bond’s accelerated schedule means you can finish your degree sooner and be out in the workforce up to a year earlier than most other universities.

This time saving also represents a substantial reduction in accommodation and living costs, plus a full year of extra earnings.

Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.

* The fees listed are average costs displayed to provide an indicative program cost only, they may differ to the indicative fee included in the Bond University offer letter due to differences in individual and exact study schedules.

Tuition fees are subject to change on an annual basis and will be charged at the appropriate fee for the year of enrolment.

Academic entry requirements

A degree in health sciences or other related degrees with a minimum GPA of 1/4 (equivalent to 4/7) and the equivalent of one semester of anatomy AND one semester of physiology AND two semesters of behavioural science (for example, psychology, sociology).

• Applications should include all accompanying documentation, including academic transcript and subject outlines.

Applicants who do not meet the prerequisite subject requirements may complete bridging subjects prior to entry. For more information regarding eligibility, domestic students please contact 1800 074 074 and international students contact +61 7 5595 1024 for further details.

Eligible undergraduate programs at Bond University:

Applications

In order to apply for study at Bond University, you will need to complete the online application form. To find out more about the application process please refer to how to apply.

1. Applications should include all accompanying documentation, including your academic transcript.
2. Applications will then be assessed by the Faculty to determine your eligibility based on an assessment of academic performance.

English language proficiency requirements

Applicants whose previous study was not completed in one of the countries listed where English is considered a first language, must provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language.

Applications should include all accompanying documentation, including an academic transcript and documented proof of English language proficiency.

For more detailed information: English language proficiency requirements.

Credit for prior study

Subject credits may be awarded for previous studies. To apply for credits, you will need to submit academic transcripts including detailed subject outlines/course descriptions for each relevant subject and/or certified copies of testamurs to the Office of Future Students. Please refer to how to apply for credit for more information.

Key Dates

Bond University calendar

According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, future growth in the demand for Occupational Therapists is “very strong”. The roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, has increased the demand for Occupational Therapists in recent years. Globally, the focus on helping people to stay at home longer (‘ageing in place’) continues to drive demand for professionally qualified Occupational Therapists.  

Graduates of the program will be able to apply their experience across a wide range of areas including:  

• Public and Private Hospitals – neo-natal care, children, post-operative, rehabilitation  
• Organisations working with physically impaired clients  
• Organisations working with people recovering from a mental illness  
• Mental health services  
• Community health centres  
• Rehabilitation facilities  
• Aged care – community-based and in aged care facilities  
• Workplace Health and Safety (including injury prevention, rehabilitation and return to work) 
• Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education  
• Research 

The Bond University Master of Occupational Therapy program has been designed to prepare graduates with the professional qualifications required to practice as an Occupational Therapist in Australia and abroad. Graduates may be eligible to progress to further post-graduate research, leading to potential career options in research organisations and academia.  

The program aims to produce graduates with the comprehensive skills and knowledge to succeed as occupational therapists in both national and international healthcare environments. Our graduates also possess the business acumen to compete in a health care setting of increasing privatisation. 

Postgraduate research studies can lead to careers in research organisations and academia. Research degrees available at Bond include:  

• Master of Science by Research (Health Sciences) – minimum 2 years  
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – minimum 4 years  

The Master of Occupational Therapy also offers a pathway into Bond’s medical program for domestic and international students. Students eligible to graduate from the Master of Occupational Therapy who meet the minimum required GPA may be considered for selection to enter Year 2 of the Bachelor of Medical Studies (BMedSt) and progress to the Doctor of Medicine (MD). In addition to GPA, the selection process will be based on psychometric testing and an interview. Applicants must also meet the broader entry requirements for the BMedSt.  Places in Year 2 of the BMedSt are strictly limited and dependent on availability.  

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.

Information for students planning to register to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the United States of America:
Bond University’s entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy program has been granted Candidacy 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 preaccreditation 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.

According to the annual Employer Satisfaction Survey published by the Australian Government Department of Education, employer satisfaction with Bond graduates has been rated highest in Australia for three years in a row.  

We believe this is due to Bond’s uniquely personalised approach to teaching, combined with the application of case-based learning that encourages the development of increased analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and a range of broader employability skills.   

The Master of Occupational Therapy’s focus on practical experience through extensive professional practice placements ensures that Bond graduates stand out from their competitors in terms of their skills, knowledge, and confidence. 

The philosophy of the Bond University Occupational Therapy is based on the principles of occupational science using a systems approach to environments. The course is founded on the belief that meaningful and purposeful occupation is fundamental to health and well-being. The Bond University Occupational Therapy graduate will have a global outlook, be contemporary, work-ready, pragmatic and skilled. In addition to technical OT competence, the Bond OT graduate will have strong business acumen and professionalism, leadership and research ability. Our students of today will be prepared to be the therapists of tomorrow. The student experience is paramount with an individualised experience, small class sizes, and exceptional learning environments. 

The professional program fosters culturally sensitive and evidence based clinical competence by actively engaging the learner in a collaborative process (student, client and educator) that builds on prior knowledge and experience and integrates professional academic knowledge, experience learning, clinical reasoning, and reflexivity. The program facilitates integration of philosophical and theoretical knowledge, values, beliefs, ethics, and technical skills for broad application to practice in order to improve human participation and quality of life (Hinojosa, 2006). The Bond OT professional program is values based and provided within an interdisciplinary context. The values of the program are:

• Trust – we respect others and trust our tour; we are trustworthy and ethical
• Truth – our practice is based on the best available evidence
• Care – we care for others, our colleagues, our clients and ourselves
• Quality – we strive to learn and improve and to always provide safe and quality OT
• Fun – we celebrate our successes, enjoy what we do and have a passion