Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

Programme Overview

Year 1:   OCCUPATION AND HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

• Principles of Human Structure
• Topographical Anatomy
• Human development
• Fundamentals of Physiology
• Person Environment Occupation 1 & 2
• Personal & Professional Development 1

Year 2:   CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

• Anatomy
• Lifespan Development
• Research Methods
• Person Environment Occupation 3
• Personal & Professional Development 2
• Practice Education 1

Year 3:   ADULTS AND OLDER PEOPLE

• Neurology
• Advanced Research Methods
• Psychological Issues in Younger and Older Adulthood
• Person Environment Occupation 4
• Personal & Professional Development 3
• Practice Education 2

Year 4:   INTEGRATING KNOWLEDGE

• Integrated Professional Practice
• Research Based Project
• Practice Education 3
• Professional Studies

Years 2 - 4:   PRACTICE EDUCATION

Practice Education comprises 1,050 hours (30 weeks) spread throughout the programme in years 2, 3, and 4.  Practice education placements take place in hospitals, schools and community settings. Placements are facilitated in the HSE Southern Area which includes Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Carlow and Wexford.  Where possible one practice is facilitated in the Cork area or in another county in the HSE Southern Area, if preferred.  Each module is valued at 20 credits. Modules in third and fourth year contribute to one third of the marks of the final degree.  This weighting is indicative of the value given to practice and the development of practice knowledge, skills and attitudes.

The first practice education module takes place in second year and consists of a 2 week and an 8 week practice education placement. Another two modules take place in third and fourth year and consist of ten weeks each.

Practice education is delivered through a partnership between the University, the Health Service Executive and voluntary and private sector providers. The extent of this partnership approach to teaching distinguishes practice modules from the other modules within the programme.  Practice education modules facilitate a reciprocal relationship of theory influencing practice and practice influencing theory, which is essential for the development to our profession.  

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Career Opportunities

Three new Occupational Therapy programmes were launched in Ireland in 2003 to make up the short-fall of therapists in Ireland in existing services where waiting lists are often very long. Many other services would also employ an occupational therapist if they were available. There is also a shortage of male occupational therapists. The opportunities are many and varied. One of the features of the UCC programme is developing the ability to promote the profession and to be able to talk about what you can offer.

Continuing professional development [CPD] is essential and a requirement in many countries. At UCC we have a vibrant CPD programme of seminars and workshops. We offer an MSc in Advanced Healthcare Practice and a suite of lower awards at post-graduate certificate and post-graduate diploma levels. Opportunities for those with a Master’s degree to study a Professional Doctorate or a PhD are available.