Occupational Therapy is part of the Department of Clinical Therapies within the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences at the University of Limerick. This young vibrant discipline provides innovative opportunities for graduates from a range of disciplines wishing to further their career in health and social care settings as an Occupational Therapist. Currently offered is a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) fully accredited by the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.
For practising Occupational Therapists, there are a range of Continuing Professional Development opportunities including research. We also offer a suite of Post-Graduate Certificates.
The mission of Occupational Therapy is to provide innovative occupational therapy education to develop excellent graduates who enable the individual and the wider community to optimise their health and well being, through occupation, at local, national and international level.
We achieve this through:
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Working as a cohesive team
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Developing client centred therapists with the capability to manage changing environments
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Facilitating life long learning throughout the occupational therapy profession
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Producing research that facilitates change and has a positive impact for the wider community
This mission is in line with the university mission as it endeavours to be distinctive, internationally renowned and instrumental in preparing graduates for the future practice.
Occupational Therapy teaching expertise and research interests includes:
We are developing national and international links and is a member of ENOTHE, the European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a health discipline concerned with the occupational performance of people in their environments. Occupational Therapy is needed when an individual's ability to live independently, to care for their personal needs, and to participate in work, school, family, and community life is disrupted by factors such as disability, illness, disaster, socio-economic disadvantage or injury.
Occupational therapists work with individuals, their carers and communities to provide services, using occupation, to facilitate each person to achieve an independent, productive and as satisfying a lifestyle as possible. Intervention provides opportunities for the person to explore and master the tasks essential to their life roles at home, work and leisure. Occupational therapists also provide expert input and support for wellness and prevention concerns.
