Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy Practice

Location

Online for domestic and international students

Duration
Six months full-time; two and a half years part-time
Delivery

Taught via extensive online resources

Credits
60
Level
8
Start
February and July
Apply
By January or July
  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Distance
    15 February 2021
    28 June 2021 - 16 July 2021
  • Distance
    12 July 2021

Are you seeking a way to improve your theoretical knowledge and develop expertise in a particular area of your occupational therapy practice? Look no further!

Develop confidence in your ability to articulate your clinical reasoning and increase your knowledge in various aspects of your practice. Become equipped with the academic skills relevant to the 'art' and 'science' of occupational therapy practice and confidently demonstrate intellectual curiosity. Critically evaluate ideas in professional literature, analyse practice problems and develop creative solutions. Taught via extensive online resources, benefit from the flexible delivery allowing you to fit study around other work commitments.

Available if you have been, or are currently registered as an occupational therapist, the skills you gain during this postgraduate programme will enable you to apply for employment positions that may require clinical expertise, both within New Zealand and overseas. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue a career in academia or policy development and this qualification enables you to staircase into the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy Practice or Master of Occupational Therapy (academic entry criteria applies for entry into the Masters programme).

Please note: It is possible to enrol in individual courses from this qualification for professional development reasons.  

Entry requirements
  • You must hold a Diploma OR Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) approved programme (OR equivalent), OR a Certificate of Registration (New Zealand).
  • If you hold a Diploma or Certificate of Registration, you must also provide evidence of commitment to further education and two confidential referees attesting to your ability to manage postgraduate study.
  • You must provide evidence of registration as an occupational therapist (Annual Practising Certificate), although this can be waived in certain circumstances.
  • International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements.  
  • If English is not your first language, you must provide:

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Additional documentation

You must supply certified copies of proof of identity, academic records, proof of residency (where appropriate) and curriculum vitae.

Selection procedure

Applicants will apply for their selected course(s)/programme using the Otago Polytechnic online application form. Each application is assessed against the entry requirements. Should the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements exceed the available places, applicant will be placed on a waiting list in date order.

COVID-19 vaccination information

If you want to apply for this programme, we’ll need to see evidence of your Covid-19 vaccinations (including types and dates). You need to have had three doses. We’re legally obliged to collect this additional information from you as this programme is covered by the Covid-19 Public Health Response (Vaccination) Order 2021.

Please just complete our online application process as normal. As part of the application process, you’ll be asked to provide your vaccination record. 

The Government have advised that the only proof of vaccination that we can accept is a vaccination record PDF from your My Covid Record. 

Find out how to get your vaccination record here >

Additional costs

As this programme is taught via extensive online resources, you must budget for internet access as well as for printing of readings/course materials.

You will study

This Postgraduate Certificate consists of two courses of your own choice. Plan your own progress through the programme choosing which courses you prefer to take first.

All courses are at Level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework. Course electives change from year to year. You will be advised as to which elective courses are available.

Further study options

You can discuss study pathways at any point with the Postgraduate Programme Coordinator to ensure that you have completed the required academic criteria for the subsequent programme.

Your workload

Each course is worth 30 credits, equating to approximately 300 study hours. If you are completing one course a semester, you should allocate approximately 18 - 19 hours per week for attendance at fortnightly web based conferencing sessions, online discussions and reading, as well as research for your assessments.

Individual courses

Please note: Not all electives are offered every year. Please contact the School of Occupational Therapy for more information. 

Course Title

Level

Credit

Electives- choose two from:

 

 

Research for Practice

8

30

Negotiated Study

8

30

Motivation and Behavioural Change

8

30

Adventure Therapy

8

30

Trauma Informed Care

8

30

Vocational Rehabilitation

8

30

Reasoning in Fast Paced Environments

8

30

Cognitive Approaches Across the Life Span

8

30

Using Sensory Processing Principles with Diverse Populations

8

30

PROGRAMME TOTALS

 

60

Postgraduate academic staff

Jackie Herkt - Academic Leader/Acting Postgraduate Programmes Lead (Jackie.herkt@op.ac.nz)

Helen Jeffery - Senior Lecturer (Helen.jeffery@op.ac.nz)

Debbie Davie - Administrator, Postgraduate Programmes (Debbie.davie@op.ac.nz)

Sian Griffiths - Principal Lecturer/Honours Coordinator (Sian.griffiths@op.ac.nz)

Rita Robinson - Principal Lecturer (Rita.robinson@op.ac.nz)

Dr Ema Tokolahi - Lecturer (Ema.Tokolahi@op.ac.nz

For more details, please visit our staff page. 

Student loans/allowances

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

Recognition of prior learning

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.

Links to useful websites

Looking for a job as an occupational therapist? Check out New Zealand Careers or Health Careers.

Apply Now