Aims and Preparation of Students
The main objective of the occupational therapy programme is to provide students with knowledge, attitudes and competence that relate to the status and development of occupational therapy at each time and contribute to quality services to consumers. Emphasis is placed on interweaving the various subjects of study so that students acquire as profound an understanding as possible of the interaction of occupation, man and the environment. Occupational therapists at the University of Akureyri are professionally qualified to cope with various projects in the sphere of occupational therapy within the sectors of health and social services. In Iceland there is a shortage of occupational therapists and various work opportunities within and outside the conventional institutes of health, in schools and places of work, in associations and elsewhere. There are various possibilities available for advanced study in occupational therapy.
The Unique Position of the Occupational Therapy Programme
Occupational therapy programmes of study are not available elsewhere in this country. Emphasis is placed on educating occupational therapists for work in the society of the future. The study takes into consideration the needs of the Icelandic health system, while simultaneously satisfying the requirements of international standards. Active participation by students is emphasized in development and cooperation concerning occupational therapy in this country and in the international forum as well. Field studies begin in the spring semester of the 2nd year of study and proceed under the guidance of working occupational therapists all over the country.
A student is required to complete the first half of his studies, i.e. the subjects of the first and second years of study, before third year studies commence. The maximum time allowed until the completion of the final examination is 6 years, 3 years for each half. A student who is unable to satisfy the minimum requirements in field studies is required to redo the term of study. Each term of study can only be redone once. The study term is to be repeated in the same work area but in another venue of study. Redoing the field study term may cause a delay in graduation. The occupational therapy programme is operated in cooperation with a few schools in the Nordic countries and there is one such school in Canada participating in a student exchange programme. Thus there is the possibility for interested students of doing part of their field studies abroad.
Distance studies
Distance studies in occupational therapy are offered through the internet and consequently independent of the students’ domicile. Students are required to attend local study sessions one or two weeks every semester where they receive teaching with the local study group.
Specifically Organized BSc Studies in Occupational Therapy
Specifically organized BSc studies in occupational therapy for employed occupational therapists without such a degree were operated in the years 2003-2006. The programme accounted for 60 ECTS and students finished it either in two or three years. Currently there are no plans to offer this specially designed programme of study again, but teachers in the School of Health Sciences are prepared to examine possible options for occupational therapists interested in adding to their education.
Head of Department:
Kristjana Fenger, M.Sc in Occupational Therapy
kfenger@unak.is, tel: 460 8469, fax: 460 8999
