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Bachelor of Health Sciences / Master of Occupational Therapy

Where will your degree take you?

Individuals with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree have many different career options. Graduates can pursue further studies for a career as an occupational therapist. 

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 while globally, the focus on helping people to stay at home longer (‘ageing in place’) continues to drive demand for professionally qualified occupational therapists. The global demand for occupational therapists has also been accentuated by the pandemic.

Outcomes

Private & public health

Graduates can look for work in either private or public health services. Services in both outpatient and inpatient settings within clinical areas such as paediatrics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, chronic disease, and mental health for example.

Public & community health

Occupational therapists are highly employable in the follow areas:

  • Workplace health and safety (including injury prevention, rehabilitation and return to work)
  • Primary, secondary, and tertiary education 
  • Community health centres 
  • Aged care – community-based and in aged care facilities 
  • Organisations working with physically impaired clients 
  • Organisations working with people recovering from a mental illness 
  • Mental health services 
  • Rehabilitation facilities 

Research

Graduates may also wish to progress to further post-graduate research leading to potential career options in research and academia.

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

Professional accreditation

Bond University's Master of Occupational Therapy is approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, accredited by the American Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)  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. Graduates wishing to register to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the United States of America will also be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Program learning outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge, skills and abilities that will be achieved on completion of the program. These outcomes will help you determine whether this program aligns with your professional pathway, career and learning goals.

Life after your health sciences degree

Health Sciences Honours student, Eleanor West and Physiology / Pharmacology PhD student, Zane Stromberga share their experiences as research students in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine.

Explore

Occupational therapists must adapt and address the new ‘cancers’ caused by COVID 19

Assistant Professor Tawanda Machingura reveals the impact of COVID-19 on people’s health and what occupational therapists can do to adapt and develop new ways of helping their clients.

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Read more about Occupational therapists must adapt and address the new ‘cancers’ caused by COVID 19

Helping migrants through an OT lens

Students share their experience on placement in Tasmania, where they were tasked to implement a role of an occupational therapist in a Migrant Centre.

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Read more about Helping migrants through an OT lens

Meet an OT alumna: What I love about occupational therapy

It was Vivian’s yearning for a global mindset and goal of beginning a new career as an OT that relocated her from the United States to study here at Bond.

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Read more about Meet an OT alumna: What I love about occupational therapy

Further study

Pathway into Medicine

The Master of Occupational Therapy offers a pathway into Bond’s medical program for domestic and international students. The selection process to enter Year 2 of the Bachelor of Medical Studies (BMedSt) will be based on GPA requirements, psychometric testing, and an interview. Applicants must also meet the broader entry requirements for the BMedSt. Please also note that places in Year 2 of the BMedSt are limited and dependent on availability.

Research and academia

Students in their second year can choose between a research stream or a business management stream. The clinically focussed research stream prepares graduates to progress to further postgraduate research and careers in research and academia, as well as bolstering research networks.