C04299v3 Master of Orthoptics
Award(s): Master of Orthoptics (MOrth)CRICOS code: 084265B
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 96
Course EFTSL: 2
Location: City campus
Notes
It is recommended that domestic and international students apply before 31 October. Applications will close once all places have been filled. It is recommended to apply early, as applications and eligibility for interview will be assessed on a rolling basis.
Indigenous applicants should apply via UTS Student Portal and will be contacted by the Professor of Practice in Indigenous Health with further information. Indigenous applicants are welcome to submit cultural and/or community referees to accompany their application.
Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Rules and regulations
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The Master of Orthoptics provides the requisite in-depth knowledge, skills and experience to work as an orthoptist in the multidisciplinary eye healthcare sector. Innovative and practice-based in approach, it enables the development of specialist knowledge and skills while preparing students for changing practices in response to new evidence and rapidly emerging medical technologies. The UTS Master of Orthoptics is the only postgraduate course for orthoptics in Australia.
This course is delivered in a student-focused manner that integrates theoretical knowledge with professional practice, building on strong links with the orthoptic profession as well as other professional groups involved in eye and vision care and with industry. During the course, students undertake clinical placements at a variety of sites, including hospitals, private practices and rehabilitation settings. Students are required to take clinical placements in rural, regional or interstate areas of Australia including Indigenous populations, while there is also opportunity to undertake approved international placements. On-campus learning takes place in the Graduate School of Health's state-of-the-art facilities, which opened in 2019. Students have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while learning from internationally recognised teachers and researchers, and from practitioners who are at the forefront of implementing new knowledge and technologies in clinical practice.
Course aims
The course aims to prepare graduates to excel in the clinical environment and meet significant demand for orthoptists in both public and private practice.
Career options
Career options include working in hospital, private practice and community settings providing paediatric and adult eye care, neuro-ophthalmic and low vision rehabilitation, with the option of employment in the ophthalmic industry and research.
Course intended learning outcomes
| .01 | Demonstrate professional behaviour and expertise in the delivery of safe, competent and responsible practice for the benefit and care of patients and the wider community. |
| .02 | Reflect on knowledge, attitudes and skills acquired for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others. |
| .03 | Analyse and synthesise knowledge of health sciences concepts and theory, and apply skills of scientific research and clinical reasoning to support decision-making in orthoptic practice. |
| .04 | Engage in leadership and collaboration for the development of patient-focused clinical teams to ensure the integration of effective health care. |
| .05 | Be an advocate for their patient, demonstrating sound, ethical, compassionate and respectful patient-focused care while acknowledging responsibility for personal health and wellbeing. |
| .06 | Effectively and accurately communicate to patients, their families, carers and members of the healthcare team and contributing to the wider role of health education and its promotion, acknowledging and adapting communication to address cultural and linguistic diversity. |
| .07 | Demonstrate knowledge of health systems and concerns in national and global communities, with awareness of the social and cultural context of their practice reflected in a consultative approach to the formulation and implementation of management plans that meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities. |
| .08 | Demonstrate respect and value for diverse ways of knowing, being and doing, in particular recognising the diversity of Indigenous Australians while critically reflecting upon the impact of ongoing colonisation and its pervasive discourse on their health and wellbeing, and integrating this knowledge into practice. |
| .09 | Represent the role of the orthoptist in multidisciplinary environments and through self-awareness and acknowledgement of the contribution of other health practitioners, support an interdisciplinary approach to attain the best outcomes for patients. |
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.
Selected applicants are required to undertake a short interview with a panel. Applicants are assessed in the areas of communication skills, interpersonal skills, interest in eye health, and commitment to orthoptics as a career.
Professional and clinical requirements
All successful applicants are required to:
- acquire a Working With Children Check and an Australian National Police Check
- complete a series of NSW Health forms including a Code of Conduct, and
- demonstrate evidence of protection against a number of specified infectious diseases.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.5; or TOEFL: internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 24; or AE6: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 overall with a writing score of 58; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 overall with a writing score of 176.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Local students
Domestic applicants can apply directly.
International students
International applicants apply via UTS: International.
International applicants, in addition to the above requirements, are required to obtain a police certificate/criminal clearance from every country they have resided in. If a country does not issue police certificates/criminal clearances, applicants are required to complete a Statutory Declaration for Overseas Students.
Course duration and attendance
This course is offered on a two-year, full-time basis. Students are not permitted to enrol part time.
Course structure
Students must complete 96 credit points of study.
Course completion requirements
| STM91015 Core subjects (Orthoptics) | 96cp | |
| Total | 96cp |
Course program
The following example shows a typical full-time program.
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn B Session | ||
| 96027 Eye and Visual Systems | 6cp | |
| 96028 Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility 1 | 6cp | |
| 96029 Ocular Pathology 1 | 6cp | |
| 96030 Introduction to Professional Practice | 6cp | |
| Spring B Session | ||
| 96031 Clinical Management of Refractive Error | 6cp | |
| 96032 Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility 2 | 6cp | |
| 96033 Ocular Pathology 2 | 6cp | |
| 96034 Professional Practice 1 | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn B Session | ||
| 96035 Research Project 1 | 6cp | |
| 96036 Neurological Ocular Disorders | 6cp | |
| 96037 Therapy, Management and Rehabilitation | 6cp | |
| 96038 Professional Practice 2 | 6cp | |
| Spring B Session | ||
| 96039 Research Project 2 | 6cp | |
| 96040 Advanced Professional Practice | 6cp | |
| 96075 Professional Practice 3 | 12cp | |
Rules and regulations
Inherent Requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are inherent in or essential to the successful completion of a course. The inherent requirements framework for the Master of Orthoptics is based on the following six themes:
- Legal and Behavioural Requirements;
- Communication Tasks – verbal; written; non-verbal;
- Cognitive/Intellectual Tasks – literacy; numeracy; knowledge and information;
- Sensory Tasks – visual; auditory; tactile;
- Physical Tasks – gross and fine motor requirements; and
- Sustainable Performance.
It is a requirement of this course to complete a number of clinical placements. Clinical placements involve an orthoptics student going into a clinical setting to undertake the practical components of the course required for registration. If a student has a condition or disability that prevents them from completing a placement, completion of the degree may be hindered. Students should consult the full inherent requirements.
Professional recognition
The Master of Orthoptics is fully accredited by the Australian Orthoptic Board. Upon completion of the degree, graduates are eligible for registration as an orthoptist.
Other information
Register to attend an information session and/or contact:
UTS: Orthoptics
email gsh.future@uts.edu.au
telephone +61 2 9514 1448