MSc (Occupational Therapy)

Description

The two year part-time coursework and dissertation leading to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is offered to graduates who want to learn more about the profession and explore topics not covered in the undergraduate programme.   Alternatively, students may choose to do the masters by dissertation only.   Postgraduates may also register for individual modules for non-degree purposes or for the accumulation of credits.

Course Orientation

The programme will:

• introduce disability studies and the principles of equity
• expose students to new depths of understanding and insight into the study of human occupation
• extend knowledge and provide skills for doing research
• develop concepts of health promotion and education
• expand on rehabilitation and management in OT practice

Course modules

Health Through Occupation is the theme of the MSc by coursework.  Graduates who want to broaden their knowledge of contemporary issues, increase their professional effectiveness and acquire a research orientation to practice, will find the course content challenging and rewarding.  All the modules are offered for 40 hours and may be studied individually. The following modules are offered:

• Disability Studies (AHS5012F): This course raises awareness about disability issues, explores relevant national and international legislation and policy and promotes an understanding of equity and equal opportunity for all people.
  
• Research Methods I (AHS5014F): This module focuses on preparing students to draw up research proposals covering a range of health or health service problems, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods.
  
• Research Methods II (AHS5018F): A research module which provides more in-depth preparation for students to plan, execute and report research.
  
• Rehabilitation (AHS5025S): Models and management of rehabilitation including principles, programmes and policy development.
  
• Management (AHS5026S): This course relates the basic economic principles and health service management to public and private health practices.
  
• Health Promotion and Education (AHS5017S): This course explores the interface between teaching, learning and therapy, and how risk-taking behaviour threatens occupational performance and therefore health.
  
• Human Occupation I (AHS5015F): This course develops the theoretical constructs of the form, function and meaning of occupation and examines and evaluates the impact of occupation on health and adaptation.
  
• Human Occupation II (AHS5016S): This module further develops the theoretical constructs of form, function and meaning of occupation and further examines and evaluates the impact of occupation on health and adaptation.

Course Organisation

The course is presented on Thursday afternoons from February to November and for a full week in February and July.

The current eight modules are compulsory, and it is now possible to study individual modules.

Dissertation

Each student will present a minor dissertation at the end of the third year of study, or within five years of registration, in partial fulfilment of the course requirements.   The dissertation counts for 50% of the final evaluation.

Interested occupational therapists should apply directly to the Head of the Division of Occupational Therapy at the University of Cape Town.

A certified academic record and a recent curriculum vitae should be submitted along with a letter motivating the application.  When possible, applicants will be asked to come to an interview with the Head of Division.

There is a generally accepted understanding that postgraduate admissions are subject to an average undergraduate achievement of 60%.    However, the Department of Occupational Therapy has decided to take a more flexible approach and  recognises that experience and professional growth post qualification need to be credited.

Contact lvnkerk@uctgsh1.uct.ac.za   
see also Postgraduate Studies at UCT :  http://www.uct.ac.za/
Undergraduate studies