Are you someone who wants to help others succeed? Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives? If so, you should consider pursuing a career as an occupational therapist. An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who helps patients overcome barriers imposed by illness, injury, disability, psychological impairment, developmental delay, or through the aging and end-of-life process. These barriers could interfere with their everyday life, like getting dressed, eating, moving, going to work, getting involved in social activities, and exploring their hobbies.
So, if this sounds like the career for you, you’ll need the right education. To become an Occupational Therapist, you’ll need a Master of Occupational Therapy degree, just like the one available at Bond University, located on the Gold Coast in Australia. Discover the top reasons why you should pursue your Master of Occupational Therapy at Bond University:
1. Fast-track your education
In Canada, it typically takes approximately six years for you to complete the education required to become an occupational therapist. That accounts for your four-year undergraduate degree, and a two-year master’s degree. However, if you know you’re destined to become an occupational therapist, you could fast-track your education at Bond University.
Rather than complete a full undergraduate degree before your Master of Occupational Therapy, you can complete the full educational pathway to postgraduate qualifications in occupational therapy in just four years (a two-year Bond undergraduate program and a two-year Master of Occupational Therapy)! If you choose this route, you can take one of Bond’s undergraduate programs (all of which can be completed in two years) that will prepare you for the Master of Occupational Therapy program. These programs include:
2. Tailor your studies to suit your career interests
On top of learning the foundational knowledge necessary to working with patients, such as neuroscience, environments, work, play, multidisciplinary care, evidence-based practice, and enabling independence, you’ll also have the option to choose additional specializations. Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program is the first master’s program in Australia that gives you the option to choose a stream relevant to your career goals:
Clinically-focused Research Pathway
The Clinically-focused Research Pathway is intended for students who wish to pursue higher education and careers in research/academia. In this stream, you’ll work on an individual research project which could result in publication.
Business-focused Pathway
The Business-focused Pathway is meant for students who’d like to work in the private sector and take on leadership positions. In this stream, you’ll take business and management courses, while working on an industry research project where you’ll apply your research and business skills.
Looking for more information? Hear about these Canadians’ experiences in Bond’s Master of Occupational Therapy program and how they found their true calling in Australia:
3. Learn by doing
One of the best ways to learn more about the field you’re interested in and discover if it’s meant for you is by getting hands-on experience. At Bond, you’ll find a unique blend of case-based learning and practical application, and you’ll also participate in fieldwork. You’ll complete over 1,000 hours of fieldwork in clinical settings, like private practices, community health services, mental health services, long-term care homes, and hospitals.
Not only will you learn more about your career as an occupational therapist, but you’ll also complete the minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork experience necessary to become an occupational therapist in Canada.
4. Earn professional qualifications to become a global occupational therapist
With your degree from Bond, you’ll be able to practice as an occupational therapist internationally. If you’ve fallen in love with Australia, then you can stay and practice here, or you can return home to Canada and practice in your hometown. You could even practice in the United States if you like!
Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy is the only Australian master’s program that’s accredited in the US. If you’d like to practice in Canada, our program is considered “substantially equivalent” to the education of Canadian educated occupational therapists. What this means is you’ll successfully complete the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System process to verify your qualifications and skills. Then, you’ll be able to write the National Occupational Therapy Competency Exam. All students wishing to practice occupational therapy in Canada have to write this exam — no matter if you’ve studied in Canada or abroad.
So, if you’re ready for adventure, excitement, and purpose, check out our Master of Occupational Therapy program to start your journey today.
Learn more about Bond’s Master of Occupational Therapy program
