PROGRAMME SYLLABUS
Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Occupational Therapy, 120 credits
Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Occupational Therapy, 120 högskolepoäng
Programme Code: HAAR7
Confirmed by: Dean 2016-06-28
Revised by: Dean 2022-05-23
Version: 8
Programmestart: Autumn 2023
Education Cycle: Second-cycle level

Title of qualification

Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Occupational Therapy

Programme overview

Scope
The educational programme addresses students who want to achieve a Master´s degree in Occupational Therapy. The programme is organised at second-cycle level and comprises 120 credits. One year of study consisting of 40 weeks will earn 60 credits, whereby 1,5 credits correspond on average to one week’s studies of at least 40 hours.
The programme is designed to ensure that the participants expand their key skills in relation to their discipline and professional development during their studies. Graduates from this programme will achieve theoretical knowledge in order to provide best practice based on evidence.

Objectives

General objectives
According to the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434 revised 2006:173 1 Ch. 9 §) the education at second-cycle level shall be based on the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired by the students from the education at first level or equivalent knowledge.
The education at second-cycle level shall involve in-depth knowledge, skills and abilities in relation to education in addition to that applying at the first level, and
- further develop the students’ ability to think critically and to independently integrate and use knowledge
- develop the students’ ability to manage complex occurrences, issues and situations, and
- develop the students’ qualifications for professional activities which demand considerable independence or for research and development work.



Qualitative objectives
Aims stated in the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434 revised 2006:173 1 Ch. 8 §) declare that the student who has completed the study programme leading to a Master of Science in accordance with the Degree Ordinance (appendix 2, Higher Education Ordinance SFS 1993:100, revised 1998:1003) should have:


Knowledge and understanding in order to
- demonstrate a broad command in their main field of study and deepened knowledge of certain parts of the field
- demonstrate deepened knowledge and understanding for research and development work in occupational therapy theoretically as well as methodologically
- demonstrate knowledge and ability to argue for how gender and socio-cultural factors affect peoples’ health from an occupational perspective
- critically review different ways of organising health and welfare
- explain, differences, and value their consequences, between different ways of organising and leading clinical contexts, as well as account for the role of the leader in different contexts and for development work.

Skills and ability in order to
- critically and systematically integrate knowledge of theory and evidence in order to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations in their main field
- independently identify and formulate issues in their main field and plan, using appropriate methods and carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits
- discuss and argue for theory and evidence, both orally and in writing, in national as well as international contexts
- pedagogically lead and perform development work of importance in their main field
- in their leadership create conditions for developing skills and abilities of individuals and groups to handle processes of improvement and development
- create conditions for collaboration between teams in improvements and developments within their main field.

Judgement and approach
- make assessments in their main field of study, taking into account relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrate insight into the potential and limitations of science, its role in society and occupational therapist responsibility for how it is used
- identify their need of further knowledge and to take responsibility for developing their knowledge
- to have a commitment to disseminate research findings and engage in dialogue with wider research community
- review own pedagogic leadership and communicative ability as well as relate to others’ reactions in improvement and development work
- reflect upon and evaluate terms and consequences related to different contexts and contextual preconditions.

Independent project
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) students must have completed an independent project (thesis) worth at least 30 credits in their main field of study, within the framework of the course requirements.

Contents

Programme structure
The programme is split into courses (see below). The first course is a research-methodology course followed by in-depth studies in the main subject.


At the end of the programme students must complete an independent project (Thesis) worth at least 30 credits (or a one-year master thesis as well as a two-year master thesis of 15 credits respectively). This final project should be performed individually. A Master of Science (120 credits) is obtained after the student has successfully completed course requirements in the main field of their studies.

Two Courses - Occupational Therapy, Thesis I, 15 credits and Occupational Therapy, Thesis II, 15 credits - can be replaced with one course - Occupational Therapy, Thesis, 30 credits - after consultation with the course coordinator and examiner.

Courses

Mandatory courses

Course Name Credits Main field of study Specialised in Course Code
An Occupational Perspective of Health I 7.5 Occupational Therapy A1N HA1R22
An Occupational Perspective of Health II 7.5 Occupational Therapy A1F HA2S21
Co-production in Health and Welfare 7.5 Quality Improvement and Leadership within Health and Welfare A1N HCPR22
Research Design, Strategies, and Ethics 7.5 Occupational Therapy A1N HFER23
Occupational Therapy, Community-based Practice 7.5 Occupational Therapy A1N HOCR27
Occupational Therapy, Evidence-based Practice I 7.5 Occupational Therapy A1N HE1R23
Occupational Therapy, Theory and Evidence-based Practice II 15 Occupational Therapy A1F HO2S20
Occupational Therapy, Theory I 7.5 Occupational Therapy A1N HA1R26
Occupational Therapy, Thesis I 15 Occupational Therapy A1E HO1T27
Occupational Therapy, Thesis II 15 Occupational Therapy A2E HO2V21
Team Collaboration in Changing Organisations 7.5 Quality Improvement and Leadership within Health and Welfare A1N HTCR20
Theory of Science and Scientific Method 15 Occupational Therapy A1N HTSR23

Programme overview

Year 1
Semester 1 Semester 2
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4
Theory of Science and Scientific Method, 15 credits Occupational Therapy, Theory I, 7.5 credits Occupational Therapy, Community-based Practice, 7.5 credits

Year 2
Semester 3 Semester 4
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4
An Occupational Perspective of Health I, 7.5 credits Occupational Therapy, Evidence-based Practice I, 7.5 credits Occupational Therapy, Thesis I, 15 credits

Year 3
Semester 5 Semester 6
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4
An Occupational Perspective of Health II, 7.5 credits Occupational Therapy, Theory and Evidence-based Practice II, 15 credits
Co-production in Health and Welfare, 7.5 credits  

Year 4
Semester 7 Semester 8
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4
Research Design, Strategies, and Ethics, 7.5 credits Team Collaboration in Changing Organisations, 7.5 credits Occupational Therapy, Thesis II, 15 credits


Teaching and examination

The web-based programme is conducted and examined in English.

Each course is assessed separately using a range of assessment methods including oral presentations, reports, projects and written examinations. In a single course one of these methods, or a combination of them, may be used.

Examinations may be carried out individually or in groups. Detailed criteria for grading of examinations are described in each course syllabus.

Those who have passed an exam are not allowed to retake it to receive a higher mark. To pass a course, the student must fulfill all the course requirements. The student shall be offered three examination occasions per course and academic year.

Prerequisites

The applicant must hold the minimum of a Bachelor´s degree in Occupational Therapy, (i.e. the equivalent of 180 ECTS credits at an accredited university) or the equivalent. Proof of English proficiency is required.

Credit Transfer

Crediting of Courses
A student who has completed part of higher education, with pass grades, at another Swedish or foreign college/university, or obtained equivalent knowledge and skills in another way can, after undergoing a test, have this credited to his or her educational programme at the School of Health and Welfare. When the student has produced the necessary documentation, the Head of Department of the course in question will make the decision whether crediting can be granted. The student shall be notified in writing of the content of the decision.
Continuation Requirements
Specific requirement for continuing studies in the programme are described in each course syllabus.

Qualification Requirements

Qualification requirements
To obtain the Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Occupational therapy, the student must complete the course requirements of at least 120 credits at the higher education level, of which 60 credits should be in Occupational therapy, including 30 credits thesis course in Occupational therapy or two 15 credits thesis courses in Occupational therapy.
Requirements to complete the programme are (1) completing the requirements for the Master of Science(120 credits) with a major in Occupational therapy and (2) completing all courses that are listed as mandatory courses in the Contents section, or their equivalent.
The degree certificate will be issued after formal application from student.

Diploma supplement
All degree certificates issued by Swedish state universities and university colleges must be accompanied by a supplement entitled the Diploma Supplement (DS), which provides information on the contents and scope of the courses that together comprise the degree awarded. The purpose of this Diploma Supplement is to facilitate recognition and approval of university qualifications across Europe, as well as in other parts of the world, both in the academic arena and in business life. The intention is to enable for people with university degrees to move between different countries for work or studies.

Examination/Course and programme certificate
Request for an degree certificate is to be made in Student Ladok. Examination certificates will be issued after completion of an educational course on the condition that the examination results have been reported into the study documentation system.

Quality Development

The programme is evaluated at the end of the programme. The evaluation is carried out as a collaboration between students and the programme director. Each course is also evaluated according to the regulations and guidelines for first, second and third cycle education at Jönköping University.

Other Information

Grades
All courses are graded with A, B, C, D and E being pass grades. The grade FX is inadequate and requires more work, while F is fail.

Study Intermission and Resumption of Studies
A study intermission can only be applied for and approved for an educational programme, not for a single course. Study intermission is to be applied for by the student using the relevant form, which should be handed in to the Department of Rehabilitation. Study intermission may be granted for a maximum of one year. An extension may be granted if exceptional circumstances apply. The decision whether or not to approve a study intermission will be made by the Head of Department. The Head of Department must give the decision in writing and, in consultation with the student, plan the resumption of the studies. The studies are subsequently to be conducted according to the curriculum that applies at the time of resumption. The student should notify the Department of Rehabilitation when he or she wishes to resume studying. The decision regarding the resumption of studies is to be made by the Head of Department. The student is to be informed in writing of the decision.

Discontinuation of Studies
The request to discontinue a programme or course is to be handed in, on the relevant form, to the Department of Rehabilitation. Before a decision is made regarding discontinuation of studies, the student has the right to educational guidance. The decision regarding discontinuation of studies will be made by the Head of Department, who is also responsible for de-registration of the student from the course.