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Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

College of Medicine and Health
PAC Course Code: CKZ63 Full-Time and CKZ64 Part-Time
Qualification: DOccT
Duration: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.
Closing Date - EU Applicants: Wed, 30 June 10
Closing Date - Non-EU Applicants: Wed, 30 June 10

Overview of Occupational Therapy (DOccT)

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Doc. Occ. T.) is a three year full-time programme with a combination of contact and self-directed learning (a part-time route is available).It is aimed at occupational therapists who are working in all practice areas and who wish to incorporate research into their work.The Doc. Occ. T. provides a structured learning environment in which to pursue Doctoral study.This involves two years of taught modules and completion of a piece of independent research and a thesis at the end of year three.

There is a choice of modules that a candidate may choose from.Each candidate must have focus for their complete doctoral study e.g. continuous professional development, cultural awareness: (a specific practice focus) occupational science, adolescent mental health etc. Each module will therefore use this focus through all the four modules and the doctoral thesis.

The programme provides participants with the opportunity to acquire competency as an autonomous researcher, gaining a deeper understanding of theoretical frameworks underpinning occupational science and occupational therapy.

There is a particular emphasis in the programme on creating new knowledge bases on which to build future practice.

What will I be Studying?

Students take 90 credits per year (full time) or 45 credits per year (part time), amounting to a total of 270 credits over the period of study (three years full time study or six years part time).

Full time route:

YEAR 1 (90 credits)

Core modules to the value of 50 credits as follows:

CT6001 Implementing evidence in therapy practice (15 credits)

OT7001 Knowledge utilisation in practice (10 credits

CT6002 Thinking reasoning and reflecting (15 credits)

OT7002 Professional knowledge in practice (10 credits

Students undertake work on the thesis to the value of 40 credits, which will be formally assessed at the end of Year 3

YEAR 2 (90 credits)

Core modules to the value of 40 credits as follows:

CT6006 Educating for Professional Practice (15 credits)

OT7003 Learning together (5 credits)

CT6004 Independent Study (15 credits)

OT7004 Specialism applied to practice (5 credits)

CT6011 Occupational Science (15 credits)

OT7005 Human occupation in context (5 credits)

Students undertake work on the thesis to the value of 50 credits, which will be formally assessed at the end of Year 3.

YEAR 3 (90 credits)

Research – 90 credits.

At the end of Year 3 students present a thesis for examination (approx. 40,000 words) to the value of 180 credits. A pass/fail grade will be awarded.

Students complete the taught and research elements of the programme and accumulate 270 credits over the period of the study (three years full time study or six years part time). The candidate's research and thesis preparation must be carried out under the supervision of a staff member from the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Upon successful completion of the prescribed modules and a research thesis, students will be awarded the DOccT.

Part time route:

YEAR 1 (45 credits)

Core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

CT6001 Implementing evidence in therapy practice (15 credits)

OT7001 Knowledge utilisation in practice (10 credits

CT6002 Thinking reasoning and reflecting (15 credits)

OT7002 Professional knowledge in practice (10 credits

Students undertake work on the thesis to the value of 20 credits, which will be formally assessed at the end of Year 6

YEAR 2 (45 credits)

Core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

CT6001 Implementing evidence in therapy practice (15 credits)

OT7001 Knowledge utilisation in practice (10 credits

CT6002 Thinking reasoning and reflecting (15 credits)

OT7002 Professional knowledge in practice (10 credits

Students undertake work on the thesis to the value of 20 credits, which will be formally assessed at the end of Year 6

YEAR 3 (45 credits)

Core modules to the value of 20 credits as follows:

CT6006 Educating for Professional Practice (15 credits)

OT7003 Learning together (5 credits)

CT6004 Independent Study (15 credits)

OT7004 Specialism applied to practice (5 credits)

CT6011 Occupational Science (15 credits)

OT7005 Human occupation in context (5 credits)

Students undertake work on the thesis to the value of 25 credits, which will be formally assessed at the end of Year 6.

YEAR 4 (45 credits)

Core modules to the value of 20 credits as follows:

CT6006 Educating for Professional Practice (15 credits)

OT7003 Learning together (5 credits)

CT6004 Independent Study (15 credits)

OT7004 Specialism applied to practice (5 credits)

CT6011 Occupational Science (15 credits)

OT7005 Human occupation in context (5 credits)

Students undertake work on the thesis to the value of 25 credits, which will be formally assessed at the end of Year 6.

YEAR 5 and 6 (90 credits)

Research – 90 credits.

At the end of Year 6 students present a thesis for examination (approx. 40,000 words) to the value of 180 credits. A pass/fail grade will be awarded.

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules 2009/2010

Entry Requirements

The DOccT is offered to Occupational Therapists. Candidates must have:

a professional qualification from a school approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT)
a post-professional Masters Degree in a professionally related subject (not a professional entry level Masters Degree)
or
a 1st Class Honours Degree in the professionally qualifying degree in Occupational Therapy
and
a minimum of five years professional practice. Exceptionally, candidates may be considered for admission to the programme with less than five years professional practice, subject to the approval of the Professor of Occupational Therapy and the College/Faculty Board. A minimum of two years professional practice is mandatory

All candidates will be interviewed. In addition, applicants will be expected to present detailed written reflective information and commentary on their professional experience and to identify their initial reasons for entering this programme.

Please note: Late applications for this course may be accepted.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent

Part-Time Taught Postgraduate Programmes

Please note that non-EU applicants are not eligible to study part-time programmes

Application Procedure

Students must apply online at www.pac.ie. Instructions on how to apply online can be found here. Please note that you will be asked to fill in a supplementary information form as part of the application process for this programme. This form is available to view here Supplementary Form CKZ63 (64kB)

Find out More

Number of Places: 10

Professor Gill Chard (Head of Department), Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Ground Floor, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, College Road, Cork. Tel: +353-21-4901536, Fax: +353-21-4901546, Email: g.chard@ucc.ie, Web Site: www.ucc.ie/ot

Ms. Kerry Murphy (Executive Assistant), Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Clinical Therapies, (address as above). Tel: +353-21-4901569, Fax: +353-21-4901546, Email: kerry.murphy@ucc.ie, Web Site: www.ucc.ie/ot

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