Program Overview

Discipline of Occupational Therapy

The Discipline of Occupational Therapy offers a comprehensive program in occupational therapy, designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to practice as occupational therapists.

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a four-year undergraduate degree that comprises modules with a total credit point value of 520 credit points. The program is approved by the Senate and extends over eight semesters of full-time study. All modules in the curriculum are compulsory.

Selection Criteria

Candidates are eligible to apply for selection to register for the qualification of Bachelor of Occupational Therapy provided they have an NSC degree pass with:

• English
• Life Orientation level 4
• Mathematics 3
• Life Sciences or Physical Science at Level 3
• 30 points excluding Life Orientation

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy includes the following modules:

Year 1

• Semester 1:
  • ANAT104: Anatomy of the Trunk & Embryology (8 credits)
  • ANAT101: Introduction to Anatomy & Neuroanatomy (16 credits)
  • OCTH141: OT: Fundamentals 1 (16 credits)
  • PYSC101: Introduction to Psychology A (16 credits)
  • IsiZulu Module (choose ONE):
    • ZULN101: Basic isiZulu Language Studies A (16 credits)
    • ZULM105: Academic Writing (16 credits)
• Semester 2:
  • ANAT102: Anatomy of the Head, Neck & Back (8 credits)
  • ANAT109: Anatomy of the Upper & Lower Limbs (16 credits)
  • HLSC116: Community Studies (16 credits)
  • OCTH142: OT: Therapeutic Media 1 (16 credits)
  • PYSC102: Introduction to Psychology B (16 credits)
• Total credits year 1: 144

Year 2

• Semester 1:
  • HPHS221 – Homeostasis (16 credits)
  • OCTH243 – OT Fundamentals 2 (16 credits)
  • OCTH245 – Psychosocial Theory and Fieldwork 2 (16 credits)
  • Year Modules:
    • OCTH244 – Areas of Occupation (16 credits)
    • OCTH242 – OT Therapeutic Media 2 (16 credits)
• Semester 2:
  • OCTH246: OT Physical Theory and Fieldwork 2 (16 credits)
  • BHME222: Health and Illness Behaviour (16 credits)
  • HPHS222: Integration & Communication (16 credits)
  • Year Modules:
    • OCTH244: Areas of Occupation (16 credits)
    • OCTH242: OT Therapeutic Media 2 (16 credits)
• Total credits year 2: 128

Year 3

• Semester 1:
  • HLSC311 – Clinical Sciences 1 (16 credits)
  • OCTH341 – OT Fundamentals 3 (16 credits)
  • OCTH344 – OT Physical Theory & Fieldwork 3 (16 credits)
  • Year Modules:
    • OCTH342 – OT Therapeutic Media 3 (16 credits)
• Semester 2:
  • HLSC344: Clinical Sciences 3 (16 credits)
  • HLSC332: Clinical Sciences 2 (16 credits)
  • HLSC340: Applied Research Methods for Health Sciences (16 credits)
  • OCTH343: Psychosocial Theory & Fieldwork 3 (16 credits)
  • Year Modules:
    • OCTH342: OT Therapeutic Media 3 (16 credits)
• Total credits year 3: 128

Year 4

• Year modules:
  • OCTH441: Research Project (24 credits)
  • OCTH444: OT: Physical Theory & Fieldwork 4 (24 credits)
  • OCTH443: OT: Psychosocial Theory & Fieldwork 4 (24 credits)
  • OCTH413: OT: Community Theory & Fieldwork 4 (24 credits)
  • OCTH414: OT: Paediatric Theory & Fieldwork 4 (24 credits)
• Total credits year 4: 120

Total Credits for the Degree

The total credits required for the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree are 520.

Statutory Body Requirements (HPCSA)

No student shall be allowed to graduate unless 1000 hours of clinical work has been completed.

Attendance

Attendance to all practical and clinical modules is compulsory.

Progression Requirements

To maintain their good standing, and to avoid either warning for slow academic progress or exclusion from the University, students must maintain minimum rates of progression through their qualifications. The minimum rates of acceptable progression for this qualification are set out below.