Program Overview

Master of Occupational Therapy Practice

The Master of Occupational Therapy Practice is a two-year master's programme designed for graduates who want to change careers and become occupational therapists. This programme helps students learn to assist people in fully participating in everyday living, using an occupation-based approach with knowledge of occupational science and Te Tiriti o Waitangi embedded throughout.

Programme Details

• Programme code: AK3950
• Level: 9
• Points: 240
• Duration: 2 years full-time
• Campus: North Campus
• Start date: 12 July 2027

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Must have completed a relevant bachelor's degree with a B+ grade average (GPA 6) or higher in courses at level 7; or equivalent
• Must be capable of meeting the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA 2003) and Children's Act (CA 2014) requirements, including police clearance
• Immunisations must be current as per the School of Allied Health requirements schedule
• Must be able to travel to fieldwork placements
• Applicants may be required to attend a selection interview
• Admission is subject to the approval of the dean or other nominee

International Student Entry Requirements

• English language requirements:
  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 6.5 or higher in writing and reading, and 7.0 or higher in speaking and listening; or
  • Occupational English Test (OET) with passes at A or B level in the four areas above

Programme Structure

The Master of Occupational Therapy Practice is a full-time programme that starts mid-year. Students are expected to be available 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and should expect to study for an average of 40 hours per week. Timetabled classes are approximately 12 to 15 hours per week.

Year 1

• Between July and December:
  • OCTY801 Exploring Occupation for Participation and Inclusion (30 points, includes 60 fieldwork hours)
  • OCTY802 Information Gathering for Occupational Participation (15 points, includes 30 fieldwork hours)
  • Either HEAL864 Contexts of Health Practice (15 points) or MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
• Between January and June:
  • OCTY803 Practicum I (15 points, includes 100 fieldwork hours)
  • OCTY804 Intervention for Occupational Participation with Individuals and Whānau (15 points, includes 30 fieldwork hours)
  • OCTY805 Intervention for Occupational Participation with Communities and Populations (15 points, includes 30 fieldwork hours)
  • Either HEAL865 Health Research Design and Planning (15 points), MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice – Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points), or PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)

Year 2

• Full-year course (July to June):
  • OCTY995 Occupational Therapy Research Project (30 points, includes 100 fieldwork hours)
• Between July and December:
  • OCTY806 Practicum II (30 points, includes 320 fieldwork hours)
  • OCTY901 Generating Critically Informed Practice Decisions for Occupational Therapy (15 points, includes 50 fieldwork hours)
• Between January and June:
  • OCTY807 Practicum III (30 points, includes 320 fieldwork hours)
  • Choose one of:
    • EMGT808 Disasters and Development (15 points)
    • HEAL801 Disability and Health (15 points)
    • HEAL817 Leadership and Management I (15 points)
    • HEAL819 Interprofessional Practice Innovation (15 points)
    • HEAL848 Children in Context (15 points)
    • MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
    • MAOH805 Te Pū o te Ora – Māori Health Praxis (15 points)
    • MENH801 Enhancing Social Participation in Mental Health (15 points)
    • RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
    • Or another approved postgraduate health science course with the approval of the programme leader

Skills Developed

The programme helps students develop practice inquiry skills and become lifelong learners. Graduates will be able to apply for registration with Te Poari Whakaora Ngangahau o Aotearoa | The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand.

Career Opportunities

After successfully completing the Master of Occupational Therapy Practice, graduates will be prepared for diverse roles across:

• Mental health services
• Aged care facilities
• Physical and neurological rehabilitation
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Public and community health
• General practice
• Health promotion
• Child development services
• Educational settings

Fees

• Domestic: Fees for 2027 have not yet been set but will be published as soon as they are available.
• International: Programme not currently available to international students.
• Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
• Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
• There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
• International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Scholarships

Information on scholarships is available, but details are not provided in the programme overview.