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 close once all places have been filled. It is recommended to apply early, as applications and eligibility for interviews are assessed on a rolling basis.
Indigenous applicants should apply via UTS Student Portal and are 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
| 01.01 | Practice professional expertise and clinical reasoning to provide safe, responsible, and evidence-based orthoptic care for the benefit of the community. |
| 01.02 | Lead and collaborate within disciplinary and interdisciplinary health care teams to provide best practice health care and contribute to positive patient outcomes. |
| 02.01 | Utilise research knowledge and skills to analyse and synthesise literature, design research methodology and ethically conduct research in the field of orthoptics. |
| 02.02 | Engage in reflective practice to support lifelong learning and professional development that enhances patient outcomes and health service delivery. |
| 03.01 | Advocate for patients, clients, and communities to ensure person-centred and ethical approaches to practice and supporting equity in eye care delivery in national and global health systems. |
| 04.01 | Critically reflect on Indigenous Australian contexts and apply principles of cultural safety and ethical research practices to work effectively with and for Indigenous Australians within the orthoptic profession. |
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4/7 AND Communication skills, interpersonal skills, interest in eye health, and commitment to orthoptics as a career (assessed in an interview)
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
- 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: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.5; or TOEFL: iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 24; 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