MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy (online)

This part-time occupational therapy course is delivered entirely online, giving you the opportunity to access higher level learning from anywhere in the world and at a time that fits in with your busy work schedule and home life.

The course is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge that are relevant to your workplace and personal career development.

Endorsed by the College of Occupational Therapists, it provides a flexible way to put yourself at the forefront of the profession, explore local, national and international policy drivers and gain a global perspective in OT.

Assessments can be tailor-made to reflect your current speciality - this means you can explore in depth the issues that are important to you and your workplace
You will be part of a lively, online community, giving you the chance to network with fellow professionals from across the world
This course is designed to give you the confidence to try new and innovative approaches to occupational therapy that will improve your employment prospects as well as your professional capability

Did you know?

You can use previous M Level learning through our Accreditation of Prior Learning process.

I have found the first year to be totally challenging, and thoroughly enjoyable. Being part of an “on-line virtual community” has been educational and very sociable. I have made many different friends from differing clinical backgrounds and they have helped to develop and shape my individual clinical practice..."

Jaymie Armitage
MSc Occupational Therapy Student

Studying Occupational Therapy online

Studying occupational therapy online will present you with a unique opportunity for flexible learning. Lectures, seminars and tutorials are delivered via live and interactive webcasts directly to your workplace or home – you’ll be able to ask questions and interact with lecturers and other course members through our virtual learning environment. As a student you will also have the chance to view recordings of webcasts at a later date if that fits in with your busy schedule.

This course also gives you the chance to negotiate your own assessments in line with your current area of practice.

To find out more about what it's like to study online with Salford University, visit our occupational therapy blog.

You will have access to a wide range of web 2.0 technologies such as wikis, skype and our own Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard. This means that, wherever you are in the world, you’ll still feel part of a learning community.

To get you up to speed, the course starts with a three week induction that is designed to build your knowledge of the latest technology and to make sure that you are comfortable using it in a variety of scenarios. In addition, it allows you to meet your fellow students online and start to get to know them.

What qualifications do I need?

Why study with Salford University?

One of the benefits of the MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy is that it provides you with the opportunity to put together a personal development plan that is relevant to you.

Our team of tutors and lecturers have a broad range of experience and a reputation for providing top-class support to students. Whether you want to become a leader and influence change, develop confidence in innovation and creative thinking, or even begin a research career, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

With a unique blend of internal and external health care educators, we take an interprofessional and holistic approach to health and social care, and one capable of attracting the very best students from across the world.

That means you’ll have access to some of the best expertise in the world to help you achieve you ultimate aim.

International students

Distance learning with Salford University gives international students the opportunity to study for a higher level qualification without having to travel to another country and perhaps take time out of work. It also means you can study part-time and spread the cost of tuition fees over 3 years whilst remaining in your current position and using it to develop the career that you want.

Funding for UK students

For UK students this course attracts SHA funding across the North West region. You can check with your line manager or educational lead in the first instance to see if you are eligible.

"I have access to an excellent array of resources and support via my tutors and the virtual learning environment."
Fiona Fraser, Educational Manager at the College of Occupational Therapists

Course content

Depending on where you exit the course, you can achieve a PgCert, PgDip or full Masters.

Assessments take a variety of forms and can be tailor-made to your needs. They include:

A written assignment which demonstrates an understanding of the impact of current issues on your practice
An opinion piece or practice evaluation suitable for publication
A work based project which demonstrates application of current issues to your own practice
A systematic literature review

Modules:

Philosophy and Theoretical Base of Occupational Therapy (30 Credits) examines the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing and how this translates into applied practice.

How theoretical relationships influence the development of models of practice
Your own clinical reasoning and practice as a focus for application of theory into practice
Debate terms such as ethical/moral practice and holism
The impact of culture on the interpretation and application of theories and models in practice
The impact of theory based practice on working with other professions

Current Issues (30 Credits) allows you to identify the current issues which impact on practice.

International and national current issues such as policies, Acts, European Directives and WHO initiatives
Social inclusion and occupational justice
Culture and its relationship to health and illness
Models of care and care delivery
Team working
Users and carers experiences of the service they have received
Health education and promotion

Emerging Practice/Extending Boundaries (30 Credits) encourages you to consider new and emerging areas of practice for Occupational Therapy.

Historical perspectives of the development of Occupational Therapy in the country of your practice
How this perspective has influenced developments and changes to practice
The rationale for change strategies, for example, change management, marketing skills and leadership skills

Research Methods (30 Credits) allows you to critically evaluate a range of research techniques and prepares you for the dissertation module.

Overview of the research process, contemporary issues and debates and theories/paradigms
Ethics in research
Reviewing literature and the critical analysis of existing research
Developing a research question/hypothesis, designing appropriate research and the role and function of the pilot study
Developing a research proposal
Access and sampling, methods of data collection and its analysis and interpretation
Fundamentals of frequently used statistical tests, uses and application of ICT and dissemination and publication of research

The Dissertation (60 credits) module gives you the opportunity to undertake an in-depth, evidence based exploration of a key area relevant to your own practice.

How do I apply?

Through shared learning in a supported environment, you will be able to engage in debate and network with others from all over the world in a way that is practical, meaningful and relevant to today’s occupational therapist.

All the support you need

We appreciate that undertaking a course entirely online may seem a daunting process. To help you meet this challenge we will provide you with all the tutorial and technical support you need. Our aim is to create an online community of like-minded individuals who support and encourage each other to make a global difference in the world of Occupational Therapy.

Dedicated tutors who are experts in their own fields
A wide array of learning resources and technical support to match
A chance to network with people from all over the world

But don't just take our word for it - here's what students have to say about the course so far:

"I've really enjoyed being in contact with other students, in particular the student I worked with on the model's formative assessment. It was great to talk and share experiences re: learning and the course. I've ventured into the social aspects of the course, and found it useful to be in contact with people in this way."

"It has facilitated my confidence in trying out new approaches with clients and has made me re-focus my understanding of what it is to be an Occupational Therapist. Fellow colleagues have also commented on the new terminology I now use in both my verbal and written communication....Thank you."

"Having just completed the PatBot Module I have started questioning the way we do things here at work, which I suppose is only a good thing! I found the module really interesting and it has been a good introduction to the masters."

Get a taster of online learning

On Monday, 22 June, 2009 7:00 PM To 9:00 PM (GMT), course tutor Sarah Bodell and Angela Hook from the University of Salford will give a live presentation about the course using a virtual classroom. To join in and find out more, log on at WiZiQ education online.