Who is the Distance Learning Course in Occupational Therapy, B.Sc., Suitable For?

The distance learning course in Occupational Therapy at Hochschule Fresenius is exclusively aimed at trained occupational therapists who wish to scientifically expand their professional competencies. The course is particularly suitable if you are already working in occupational therapy and are seeking leadership roles, want to deepen your expertise, or are looking for future prospects in the health, prevention, or therapy sectors. Due to the recognition of 90 ECTS from the completed training, the programme is specifically targeted at experienced professionals who want to further qualify themselves purposefully.

Formal Admission: What Do You Need to Bring?

The following requirements apply for admission to the Bachelor’s degree course in Occupational Therapy via distance learning:

• Completed training as a state-recognised occupational therapist (female) or state-recognised occupational therapist (male)
• Presentation of the professional certificate for the completed occupational therapy training
• A university entrance qualification is generally required, but there are different routes:
• • Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (enables direct access to the course)
  • Alternatively: Completion of at least a two-year vocational training plus at least two years of professional experience in a related field and successfully passed subject-specific university entrance examination
  • Or: Master craftsman’s examination or at least 400 hours of advanced training (e.g. specialist business administrator, business economist, technician) plus subject-specific university entrance examination
  • For intermediate school-leaving qualification: Completed vocational training of at least three years with a grade of 2.5 or better and proof of the corresponding professional experience, if necessary with an additional aptitude test
• Regardless of the school education path, completed occupational therapy training is mandatory for the distance learning course in occupational therapy

Recognition of completed training achievements is binding; you will normally enter a higher semester. There is no numerus clausus (NC) for this degree programme.

Personal prerequisites for the course are:

• Willingness to independently and responsibly organise the learning workload in distance learning
• Motivation for scientific deepening and reflection on one’s own practical work
• Analytical thinking and interest in theory, research and evidence-based practice
• Good communication skills for interdisciplinary cooperation and written engagement with specialised topics
• Knowledge and experience from everyday occupational therapy practice
• Basic affinity for technology for using digital learning formats and online examinations

Course Content in Detail: What Does the Distance Learning Occupational Therapy (B.Sc.) at Hochschule Fresenius Teach?

In the distance learning Occupational Therapy (B.Sc.) programme, as a qualified occupational therapist, you will expand your specialist knowledge with scientific and management-oriented aspects. The course combines therapeutic knowledge with evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary skills. You will learn to analytically reflect on therapy processes, develop effective treatment strategies, and actively shape the quality of healthcare provision.

• Scientific and empirical work: You will develop skills in scientific methodology, empirical research, statistics, and academic writing. Study modules such as “Scientific Work”, “Empirical Work” and “Fundamentals of Statistics & Classical Test Theory” lay the foundation for evidence-based therapeutic practice.
• Therapeutic science specialisation across the lifespan: You will engage intensively with occupational therapy measures for childhood and adolescence, adulthood, and senior years. This enables you to gain comprehensive clinical understanding across the entire lifespan.
• Interdisciplinarity and health promotion: Modules such as “Interdisciplinary Field of Action” and “Health Promotion & Prevention” provide you with approaches on how occupational therapy is embedded in diverse teams and prevention projects.
• Evidence-based and ethical practice: In “Evidence-Based Practice”, “Ethical Aspects in Therapy and Research” and “Evidence-Guided Action in Occupational Therapy” you will engage with current standards and ethical guidelines.
• Management and organisational competence: With elective modules such as “Introduction to Business Administration” and “Health Economics” you will acquire foundational knowledge for leadership positions or entrepreneurial activities.
• Project management and quality assurance: You will learn to plan and implement projects in healthcare as well as methodically ensure the quality of your own work.
• Additional key qualifications: Communication skills, self-organisation, early reflection of research trends, and the ability to independently expand knowledge.

In the final module, you will write a bachelor’s thesis in which you address a scientific question from the current field of occupational therapy, thus practically demonstrating your acquired skills.

Course Structure: How Is the Distance Learning Occupational Therapy at Hochschule Fresenius Organised?

The course is flexible and modular in structure. With credit given for a completed training as an occupational therapist, you enter directly into a higher semester and complete only the required 90 ECTS credits (out of a total of 180 ECTS). Depending on your chosen study model, the duration of studies is between 18 and 36 months.

• Start anytime: You can begin on the 1st of any month and tailor your studies individually to your daily life.
• Course organisation and learning materials: All materials such as interactive study magazines, instructional videos and exercises are available to you digitally around the clock. If desired, you can order printed booklets at an additional cost.
• No fixed semesters: You decide yourself when and at what pace to take the modules – there is no rigid semester structure.
• Exams and performance records: The share of traditional written exams is low. Instead, alternative forms of assessment such as essays, online tests, presentations (partly in virtual format) and open-book exams predominate. Exams can be taken flexibly online or at a few locations. 24/7 examination options allow you to schedule exam dates in accordance with your professional commitments.
• Individual support: Study coaches support you personally throughout the entire course. Exchange with lecturers as well as access to virtual office hours and forums is provided.
• Practical relevance: During your studies, you will reflect on theory based on your professional practice. Interdisciplinary projects and practical applications are an integral part of the modules.
• Additional offers: Free participation in international masterclasses and certificate programmes through cooperation with Arizona State University® (ASU®). Access to the online library and supplementary further training opportunities via StudyPLUS.

The course concludes with the completion of the bachelor’s thesis. Hochschule Fresenius offers a trial phase at the beginning of the course, during which you can try out the offer without obligation.

Career Opportunities & Job Prospects: Which Doors Does the Distance Learning Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy Open?

The academic degree “Bachelor of Science” in Occupational Therapy significantly broadens your professional spectrum. As a graduate, the following perspectives are open to you:

• Leadership and management: You qualify for management roles in therapeutic practices, departments, clinics and rehabilitation centres (both outpatient and inpatient).
• Project work and research: You can participate in research projects, development projects and health-related initiatives (e.g. at universities, foundations or third-party funders).
• Consulting and prevention: Activities in corporate health management, prevention services and case management gain importance, as do projects in health promotion.
• Teaching and further education: With the bachelor’s degree, employment in adult education, training of prospective occupational therapists, or as a lecturer is possible.
• Further qualification: You lay the scientific basis for advanced master’s degree programmes or specialised further training in the healthcare sector.

Through the combination of occupational therapy, scientific and management-oriented knowledge, you become attractive to employers throughout the healthcare sector and open up opportunities for advancement as well as career changes within and beyond the traditional therapeutic fields.

Costs and Financing: What Expenses Should You Expect and How Can You Finance Your Studies?

The tuition fees for the distance learning Occupational Therapy B.Sc. at Hochschule Fresenius depend on the chosen study model:

• 18 months: 333.75 euros monthly (with discount; list price 375 euros per month)
• 24 months: 289.25 euros monthly (with discount; list price 325 euros per month)
• 36 months: 209.15 euros monthly (with discount; list price 235 euros per month)

The total price includes the following services:

• Access to the digital learning platform and all study materials
• Individual support by study coaches and lecturers
• Use of the online library and all e-media
• Participation in exams (including examination fees)
• Optional access to international online certificates and masterclasses

Not included in the price are:

• Costs for travel and accommodation for any in-person exams
• Voluntary in-person workshops or additional further training
• Printed study booklets (optionally orderable)
• Your own technical equipment (PC, internet access, etc.)

Financing options include:

• BAföG funding (if personal requirements are met)
• Scholarship programmes from various providers (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium)
• Student loans, such as from the KfW bank
• Support from your employer (e.g. educational leave or further training sponsorship)
• Tax deductibility as work-related expenses or special expenses

Thanks to the monthly instalments, the course is financially manageable. The discount code “START11” can be activated during application to permanently reduce the tuition fees.