About
About the Faculty of Health Sciences
McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences is unique as the only Canadian university that combines schools of medicine, nursing and rehabilitation sciences, and midwifery, bachelor of health sciences, physician assistant and post-graduate health sciences education programs in 1 faculty. This is a specific initiative to train members of the medical team in a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to develop effective and efficient health care.
More about the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences. – BUTTON (for all?)?
McMaster is best known for our pioneering work in problem-based learning, which began in our medical school in 1969 and has been adopted across the world.
About the School of Rehabilitation Science
The School of Rehabilitation Science has been offering innovative problem-based programs in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy for more than 30 years and, most recently, launched a new program in Speech-Language Pathology. A key strength of the clinical rehabilitation programs is our partnership with the community to ensure the programs are at the leading edge of clinical practice.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must ensure that they meet the admission requirements, as outlined by each program they apply to. These requirements can be found within the following program-specific sections.
Admission Streams
Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP)
The Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University acknowledges the barriers and challenges for Indigenous students accessing post-graduate education programs and opportunities. The MSc Programs have a FIAP for individuals with Indigenous North American (First Nation, Inuit or Métis) ancestry.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (in 2015) called on all levels of government to:
- increase the number of Indigenous professionals working in the health care field,
- ensure the retention of Indigenous health care providers in Indigenous communities and
- provide cultural competency training for all health care professionals.
These principles guide the MSc Programs in working toward an environment for all students, patients and educators to create focused learning opportunities of cultural awareness and humility.
References: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, United Nations; National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada., Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada., & United Nations. (2015). Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
Applicants wishing to apply through FIAP must:
- meet the minimum program admission requirements
- complete the self-identification application and
- apply to the program through ORPAS following the program-specific application process (i.e., indicate that you are applying through the FIAP).
The deadline for applying through FIAP is the same as the application deadline for the program.
Facilitated Black Admissions Program (FBAP)
The Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University acknowledges the barriers and challenges of Black students accessing post-graduate education programs and opportunities. The MSc Programs have a FBAP for individuals who self-identify as Black.
To be eligible, the applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant) who self-identifies as Black, including:
- Black African,
- Black Caribbean/West Indian,
- Black North American,
- Black Latinx and/or
- a multi-racial student who has and identifies with their Black ancestry.
For more information about the Facilitated Black Admissions Program for each of the MSc Programs, please visit their webpages at:
The FBAP and MSc (OT)
The FBAP and MSc (PT)
The FBAP and MSc (SLP)
Admission Process and Timelines
You must apply through ORPAS and are subject to their processes and timelines.
Each program outlines their admission process within their section of this document and on their websites.
MSc (OT) Admission Process
MSc (PT) Admission Process
MSc (SLP) Admission Process
The admission process undergoes annual review and is subject to change. Each program reserves the right to change their admission and registration requirements at any time without notice. We will make every effort to inform you of any changes in a timely manner.
McMaster University Application Fees (for Both Domestic and International Applicants)
You will be charged a $100 university fee for each program you apply to at the School of Rehabilitation Science.
E.g., If you apply to only 1 program, you will be charged a $100 university fee. If you apply to 2 programs (e.g., OT and PT), you will be charged $200.
Additional fees apply if you are invited to interview.
Selection Method
Each program outlines their selection method within their section of this document and on their websites.
MSc (OT) Selection Method
MSc (PT) Selection Method
MSc (SLP) Selection Method
Deferral of Accepted Offers
We do not grant deferrals of admission.
Advanced Standing and Transfer
There is no provision for advanced standing or transfer into the programs.
The programs begin in the fall of year 1 and continue for 2 full years. You must successfully complete all courses and clinical placements to advance from semester to semester and to complete the program.
Fraudulent Applications
If any application information is discovered to be false or misleading, or concealed or withheld, the application will be deemed invalid and will be rejected immediately.
Students who are already admitted and registered must withdraw from the university and the case may be submitted to the McMaster University Office of Academic Integrity.
Deposit
If you accept an offer of admission to McMaster University, you must remit a non-refundable deposit paid online by credit card or online banking (domestic and international applicants: $500).
The amount of this deposit will be deducted from your tuition after registration and entry into the program.
The deposit is not refunded if you fail to register in the program.
Accreditation
The MSc Programs in the School of Rehabilitation Science are all accredited.
MSc (OT) Program Accreditation
MSc Occupational Therapy (OT) Program
MSc (OT) Program Information – BUTTON?
MSc (OT) Curriculum
We offer a 24-month, full-time, course-based program in OT leading to an MSc (OT) degree. The MSc (OT) curriculum utilizes a self‑directed, Problem‑Based Learning (PBL) philosophy. You will explore the concepts of occupation and health, while incorporating the themes of family, society, culture and environment within the context of client centred practice.
Our goal is to prepare occupational therapists with the requisite knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours to practice in the emerging realities of the health care system, including the broader societal communities.
You will complete course work, clinical placements and an independent project that explores the complexities of evidence-based practice. These evidence-based practice projects are evaluated through faculty assessment and presentation at a symposium widely attended by the academic and clinical communities. All courses are specific to this curriculum.
The minimum expectation is the completion of all course work across 2 extended study years, from September to July (year 1) and from September to September (year 2):
- Year 1 introduces you to the fundamentals of contemporary Canadian occupational therapy practice.
- Year 2 provides opportunities for developing more complex skills and preparing for entry to practice as conscientious, autonomous professionals.
Throughout the program, you gain experience across many client populations and in multiple settings.
Add Accordions for all other OT sections?
MSc Physiotherapy (PT) Program
MSc (PT) Program Information – BUTTON?
MSc (PT) Curriculum
We offer a 24-month, full-time, course-based program in OT leading to an MSc (OT) degree. The MSc (OT) curriculum utilizes a self‑directed, Problem‑Based Learning (PBL) philosophy. You will explore the concepts of occupation and health, while incorporating the themes of family, society, culture and environment within the context of client centred practice.
Our goal is to prepare occupational therapists with the requisite knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours to practice in the emerging realities of the health care system, including the broader societal communities.
You will complete course work, clinical placements and an independent project that explores the complexities of evidence-based practice. These evidence-based practice projects are evaluated through faculty assessment and presentation at a symposium widely attended by the academic and clinical communities. All courses are specific to this curriculum.
The minimum expectation is the completion of all course work across 2 extended study years, from September to July (year 1) and from September to September (year 2):
- Year 1 introduces you to the fundamentals of contemporary Canadian occupational therapy practice.
- Year 2 provides opportunities for developing more complex skills and preparing for entry to practice as conscientious, autonomous professionals.
Throughout the program, you gain experience across many client populations and in multiple settings.
MSc Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program
MSc (SLP) Program Information – BUTTON?
MSc (SLP) Curriculum
We offer a 24-month, full-time, course-based program in OT leading to an MSc (OT) degree. The MSc (OT) curriculum utilizes a self‑directed, Problem‑Based Learning (PBL) philosophy. You will explore the concepts of occupation and health, while incorporating the themes of family, society, culture and environment within the context of client centred practice.
Our goal is to prepare occupational therapists with the requisite knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours to practice in the emerging realities of the health care system, including the broader societal communities.
You will complete course work, clinical placements and an independent project that explores the complexities of evidence-based practice. These evidence-based practice projects are evaluated through faculty assessment and presentation at a symposium widely attended by the academic and clinical communities. All courses are specific to this curriculum.
The minimum expectation is the completion of all course work across 2 extended study years, from September to July (year 1) and from September to September (year 2):
- Year 1 introduces you to the fundamentals of contemporary Canadian occupational therapy practice.
- Year 2 provides opportunities for developing more complex skills and preparing for entry to practice as conscientious, autonomous professionals.
Throughout the program, you gain experience across many client populations and in multiple settings.