Educational goals

The degree course is aimed at training healthcare professionals, in accordance with the 136/97 ministerial decree, who work in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals affected by physical and psychic illnesses and disorders, including both temporary and permanent disabilities, through the use of expressive, manual-representative and recreational activities related to daily life. The aim of the treatment is to achieve the greatest possible independence in everyday activities and to achieve the fullest possible integration of the disabled person within the family, social and working environments. During the course of studies the student acquires knowledge of the world of healthcare and in particular that of rehabilitation, both cognitive and motory. In light of the recent ICF document from the WHO, the student must study the concepts of health and illness considering the patient as a complete, unique being and not simply in relation to an organ or system. In order to achieve this goal it is essential to study the foundation disciplines ( biology, physics, anatomy, physiology etc…) and also clinical disciplines ( cardio-vascular system, pneumology etc…) which will come together in the study of holistic disciplines such as psychology, rehabilitative medicine and fundamentally occupational therapy. The concept of ‘greatest possible independence’ is essential to the disabled person and is achieved through the application of the most appropriate therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment available. Students must learn how to work successfully in a multidisciplinary team; professional training provides the ideal setting for this.

Career opportunities

Occupational therapy graduates provide their services to public and private social healthcare institutions, day centres, rehabilitation centres, care homes or institutions for chronic illness, residential health care centres, health visitors, schools and any institution dealing with prevention. They can work as employees or freelance. Given that this profession is often practiced within a multidisciplinary team, collaboration with other health care professionals is required and in general with those who are members of the PRI (individual rehabilitation project).

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the degree course, the student must have a high school diploma, required by current legislation, or another qualification obtained abroad deemed suitable. Admission to the degree course is limited by the access planning at national level (Law 2 August 1999, n. 264). Admission takes place through a competitive test; the date and methods of carrying out this test are defined annually by the Ministry of Education, University and Research and published in a specific notice issued by the University. Students admitted to the degree course with a grade lower than a pre-established minimum threshold may be assigned specific additional training obligations; the methods for making up for any training deficits, to be filled in any case within the first year of the course, are governed by the teaching regulations of the degree course.