Introduction

This programme is designed for registered occupational therapists working within health and social care, local authority, private or alternative provision who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in client centred, evidence based and reflective occupational therapy practice. The programme facilitates development at both clinical and managerial levels and supports occupational therapists who wish to develop clinical specialist and advanced practitioner roles. It will also provide the opportunity to strengthen confidence in the theoretical underpinnings of occupational therapy practice for clinicians working in non-traditional or role-emerging settings.

The modular nature of the programme allows you to design a unique pathway which meets your individual learning needs and reflects your special interests. The programme offers you choices from a range of occupational therapy and interprofessional modules.

Structure and Assessment

There are three stages to the programme corresponding to the three awards available:

Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice	60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice	120 Credits
MSc in Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice	180 Credits

For the postgraduate certificate you will study three specific core modules.

• Orientation (to postgraduate study and interprofessional collaboration)
• Advanced Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice
•  Developing and Evaluating Knowledge for Specialist Therapy Practice

For the postgraduate diploma, in addition to the core modules you can choose from a range of taught optional modules from the Faculty of Health and Social Care postgraduate framework which include:

• Assessment, Management and Reduction of Falls in Older People
• Loss, Grief and Bereavement
• Concepts of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Solution Focused Methods in Health and Social Care
• Ethics and Law in Health and Social Care
• Discourses Around Chronic Illness and Physical Disability

To gain the MSc you will undertake a research project which can be either a piece of empirical work or a systematic review worth 40 or 60 credits. The focus of study will reflect your own interests and preferences in occupational therapy. You will be assigned a project supervisor to provide academic support. To plan for your dissertation you will take one of two possible preparatory modules:

• Developing a Research Proposal
• Undertaking a Systematic Review

If you choose to do a smaller piece of research (40 credits) you can do another elective module to gain the remaining credits for your Master’s degree.

Modules are also available from the Faculty of Education Postgraduate Framework, which includes the MSc in Enabling Learning and Inclusion:

• Medical, Physical and Sensory Needs in Schools
• Early years and Early Intervention
• Inclusion, Management and Coordination

Students can be registered as Associate Students and can undertake single modules from the core Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice modules as part of their continuous professional development.

Attendance

Each module is delivered over three months and you will attend for two or three days at a time, for up to a total of eight days per module. The remainder of the programme will be delivered through e-learning and independent study.

Fees

For information on current tuition fees, please visit our finance pages.

The total cost of the course will depend on the number of modules you undertake. There is funding available through Personal Training Day (PTD) allowances for health occupational therapists working within Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority..

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally possess:

• A first degree in occupational therapy (2 years post qualified) or
• A professional registration to practise in occupational therapy (2 years post qualified)

Practitioners should normally be working in the field of practice relevant to their proposed study or have sufficient access to it to support their studies if, for example, they are from overseas.

How to Apply

If you require more information about the programme please contact either the Programme Director Rayya Ghul on 01227 782810 or Email: rayya.ghul@canterbury.ac.uk or contact The Faculty Information Office.

> Department of Allied Health Professions