Occupational Therapy 

Occupational Therapists assess people's abilities and help them gain or regain skills. With us, you’ll learn to professionally plan and direct therapy treatments, recommend adaptations to equipment and environments and advise clients on changes to their lifestyle to help them with daily activities.

 

Occupational Therapy Banner

Our Occupational Therapy qualifications will enable you to work towards a career to help people do the things that are important to them so they can lead meaningful, satisfying lives. You’ll gain advanced knowledge in areas such as illness, mental health, injury, and disability, and know how to assist clients accordingly based on their situation and environment.

The biggest point of difference at Otago Polytechnic is our real-world approach to learning. The experience you’ll gain on our fieldwork placements will give you the skills to seamlessly transition from study to employment within the occupational therapy industry.

Occupational Therapy qualifications

Health

Working with people is at the very heart of this highly-regarded programme and you'll do five placements across a wide range of community health and rehabilitation settings to gain vital practice experience. When you graduate, you'll be able to register as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand - this degree is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Duration

3 Years Full-time

Delivery

On campus

Location

Dunedin, Hamilton

Career potential

Occupational Therapist

Health, Health & Wellbeing

Are you keen to deepen your understanding of occupational therapy practice and develop your research skills? Enhance your professional practice and increase your employment potential with this postgraduate qualification that will prepare you for jobs in research-focused positions or higher-level practice roles. If you want to pursue an academic career, this honours degree provides a pathway to take you to the top of your field.

Duration

1 Year Full-time

Delivery

Online with block course(s)

Career potential

Case Manager, Community/Youth Development Worker, Needs Assessor, Occupational Therapist, Private Practitioner, Researcher

Health

Suitable if you are, or have been, a registered occupational therapist. You will complete two courses of your choice for this qualification. You will be able to apply for opportunities that require clinical expertise or pursue a career in academia or policy development. This qualification also leads into our advanced programmes.  

Duration

6 Months Full-time

Delivery

Online

Career potential

Educator, Policy Development Consultant, Research , Specialist roles

Health

If you are a health professional or an occupational therapist, this qualification can help you enhance your knowledge in your current practice. You will work with the Postgraduate Coordinator to tailor an individual study pathway to suit your learning needs. Your study and assignments will focus on your specialty area of practice, reflected in your qualification title.  

Duration

6 Months Full-time

Delivery

Online

Career potential

Specialist roles

Health

Perfect if you are a registered occupational therapist and want to enhance your skills and career potential in your practice. This programme will prepare you for expert clinical and managerial positions. You can also pursue a career in academia or policy development or pathway to the Master of Occupational Therapy.

Duration

1 Year Full-time

Delivery

Online

Career potential

Educator, Manager, Policy Development Consultant, Researcher, Specialist roles

Health

This qualification focuses on research and practice to gain a more profound knowledge of your field. Pursue an academic career in occupational therapy education or apply for enrolment into PhD programmes to take you to the top of your area. You can choose to complete your qualification through coursework with a smaller project or a research thesis.

Duration

18 Months Full-time

Delivery

Online with block course(s)

Career potential

Doctoral Research, Policy Development Consultant, Specialist roles

Discover our School of Occupational Therapy

Get a taste of what it’s like to study this field at Otago Polytechnic:

  • See all qualifications offered
  • Meet your lecturers and find out what makes them leaders in their chosen area
  • Hear about our latest news and events
  • Learn first-hand what it’s like to study with us from real students and graduates
  • Read about our postgraduate research and projects

School of Occupational Therapy

Postgraduate specialties in Occupational Therapy

Postgraduate specialties in Occupational Therapy

We offer a range of postgraduate programmes and pathways to continue your study journey.

Contact us

If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.