About
The University of Ottawa’s audiology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and physiotherapy programs are taught in French. However, all students may be called upon to work in clinical placements in French, English or bilingual settings.
About the Faculty of Health Sciences
The Faculty of Health Sciences consists of 5 academic units:
- School of Nursing
- School of Nutrition Sciences
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences
- School of Human Kinetics
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences
The Faculty of Health Sciences is renowned for its research excellence; its 100 researchers work in fields ranging from molecular biology and metabolism to human kinetics, rehabilitation sciences and social health sciences.
This innovative, vibrant faculty is looking to the future. Join us!
About the School of Rehabilitation Sciences
The School of Rehabilitation Sciences, which opened in 1996, provides professional master’s program in audiology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and physiotherapy. It also offers a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences.
The School’s mission is to train health care professionals to meet the needs of Ontario’s French-speaking population and, more broadly, to serve Francophone communities in Canada’s bilingual and multicultural context.
Indigenous Candidates
The School of Rehabilitation Sciences recognizes the barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in accessing higher education.
Places are reserved for Indigenous candidates who are Canadian citizens. Refer to the following sections to find out more about eligibility requirements:
Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS)
The CNFS is a pan-Canadian organization funded by Health Canada. It brings together 16 postsecondary institutions offering French-language programs in a variety of health disciplines, with the goal of facilitating access to education in the health sciences and medicine for students from Francophone minority communities.
At the University of Ottawa, the CNFS also enables Francophones from provinces and territories outside Q\uebec to receive instruction in French in programs such as audiology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Students admitted under the CNFS are encouraged to return to their home provinces for some of their clinical placements, thereby providing access to health care services in French.
Selection Method
Deposit
A deposit is required to reserve your place in the program you have received an offer of admission for. The deposit will be credited against your tuition fees. The deposit will not be refunded should you subsequently decide to reject the offer of admission.
More about:
Accreditation
The MHSc Programs in the School of Rehabilitation Science are all accredited.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (MHSc)
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Overview
The Faculty of Health Sciences’ Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology program is a graduate-level program leading to a Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology. The program offers specialized training in the field of communication disorders and aims to train health professionals who can work in French in Ontario and in Canadian bilingual and multicultural contexts.
The curriculum adheres to the standards set by the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CACUP-ASLP). Graduates should therefore be able to meet the requirements for registration in professional associations across Canada.
Audiology
The audiology component of the program provides professional training in the normal development of auditory skills. Graduates are able to assess and treat hearing impairments, tinnitus and balance problems.
Audiologists work in a variety of settings that include:
- Private clinics
- Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities
- Schools
Audiologists work with people of all ages (i.e., newborns, children and adults).
Audiologists provide a range of services that include:
- Promotion and prevention
- Screening
- Assessment
- Counselling
- Rehabilitation
- Intervention strategies for problems involving the auditory and vestibular system (e.g., hearing loss, tinnitus and balance issues)
- Consultations with other professionals
- Research
- Teaching
- Administration
Speech-Language Pathology
The speech-language pathology component of the program provides professional training in the normal development of human communication. Graduates are able to assess and treat voice, speech, language and oropharyngeal disorders.
Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of settings that include:
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation facilities and community health centres
- Schools and childcare facilities
- Private clinics
Speech-language pathologists work with individuals of all ages (i.e., pre-school and school-aged children, adolescents, adults and seniors).
Their professional services include:
- Promotion and prevention
- Screening
- Assessment
- Counselling
- Rehabilitation
- Intervention strategies for communication problems and dysphagia (e.g., stuttering, voice problems, language disorders)
- Consultations with other professionals
- Research
- Teaching
- Administration
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Program Structure
The Master of Health Sciences in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology runs for 6 consecutive terms (i.e., 2 years or 24 months) of full-time studies. It consists of 60 course units and 1,050 hours of clinical placement.
In the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs, the language of instruction is French.
- Audiology: Assignments and exams may be written in either French or English. Clinical training placements may occur in French-speaking, English-speaking or bilingual contexts.
- Speech-Language Pathology: Unless there is a special exception, written work, including exams, must be written in French. Clinical placements are in French and English.
Since the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology program consists of 2 different education pathways, there are 2 separate course sequences: 1 for Audiology and 1 for Speech-Language Pathology.
The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology program is governed by the University of Ottawa’s academic regulations on graduate studies and by program-specific regulations.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Clinical Placements
The clinical training component of the University of Ottawa’s Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology program consists of a sequence of 5 main clinical placements over 2 years. Each placement includes specific objectives designed to provide students with a solid grounding in clinical skills. Additional placements may be required, depending on specific clinical hour needs.
Due to health and safety requirements in placement settings, students are required to meet the following requirements set by the University and the placements:
- Up-to-date record of immunization that reflects a pre-set schedule. Immunization requirements must be met before each clinical placement. No exemptions will be granted for personal or philosophical reasons. Only medical reasons will be considered.
- Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training
In some settings, other documents or proof of training will be required and communicated to students in due course.
Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these requirements and fulfilling them. Students must meet these requirements throughout their clinical training and renew these requirements if any of them expire before the end of the placement.
Any student who does not provide the required documentation may be denied permission to undertake a placement.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Admission Requirements
Audiology
To be eligible for the Audiology program, you must:
Audiology: Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with an average of at least B (70%) or
- be in the process of completing 3 years, at a recognized Canadian university, at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) in an honours 4-year bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the third year or
- hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
Audiology: Have completed the required prerequisites
Have obtained 3 university units (1 half-year course) in each of the following subjects:
- Intermediate-level quantitative statistics or research methods (e.g., PSY2516 or the equivalent)
- Human physiology or anatomy (e.g., PSY2701 or the equivalent)
- Acoustics or sound/speech analysis (e.g., HSS2525 or the equivalent)
- A relevant course in psychology (e.g., child development, aging, perception), such as PSY2505 or the equivalent
- A relevant subject course in linguistics, preferably in general phonetics or phonetics/phonology (e.g., LIN2720 or the equivalent)
Linguistics units must be recognized as units in the study of language from the perspective of modern linguistics, not in the study of a specific language (including the phonology and phonetics of the language), literature, writing, culture or folklore, regardless of the department in which they were taken.
For recognition of courses not on the list of accepted equivalencies, send an email with the course syllabus to the Academic Office at: healthsc@uOttawa.ca.
Each admission requirement must be fulfilled by a different course. The same course may not be used to satisfy 2 admission requirements at a time.
Audiology: Obtain a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test
- You must have obtained a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test (Casper – Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French
Audiology: Have passed 1 language proficiency test
- Pass a language proficiency test in the official language other than the language of instruction in your undergraduate program.
- If English was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take a French proficiency test.
- If French was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take an English proficiency test.
- If the language of instruction in your undergraduate program was neither English nor French, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French).
- If you completed multiple university degrees, including at least one in French and one in English, you can request an exemption from the language test by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The language test requirement will remain in place unless you receive confirmation of this exemption.
If you are applying to both Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French). There are no exemptions.
The tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI).
Speech-Language Pathology
To be eligible for the Speech-Language Pathology program, you must:
Speech-Language Pathology: Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with an average of at least B (70%) or
- be in the process of completing 3 years, at a recognized Canadian university, at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) in an honours 4-year bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the third year or
- hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
Speech-Language Pathology: Have completed the required prerequisites
Have obtained 3 university (1 half-year course) units in each of the following subjects:
- Statistics or quantitative research methods at the intermediate level (e.g., PSY2516 or the equivalent)
- Human physiology or anatomy (e.g., PSY2701 or the equivalent)
- Acoustics or sound/speech analysis (e.g., HSS2525 or the equivalent)
- Psychology of child development or psychology of normal development across the lifespan (e.g., PSY2505 or PSY2514 or the equivalent)
Have completed 9 university units in linguistics, including:
- 3 units (1 half-year course) in general phonetics or phonetics/phonology (e.g., LIN2720 or the equivalent)
- 3 units (1 half-year course) in syntax or morphology or morphosyntax (e.g., LIN2710 or LIN3728 or the equivalent)
- 3 relevant units (1 half-year course) at an advanced undergraduate level in linguistics, preferably in semantics, language acquisition, bilingualism, neurolinguistics or psycholinguistics (e.g., PSY3715 or PSY3720 or the equivalent)
Units in linguistics must be recognized as units in the study of language from the perspective of modern linguistics, and not in the study of a specific language (including the phonology and phonetics of the language), literature, writing, culture or folklore, regardless of the department in which they were taken.
For recognition of courses not on the list of accepted equivalencies, send an email with the course syllabus to the Academic Office at: healthsc@uOttawa.ca.
Each admission requirement must be fulfilled by a different course. The same course may not be used to satisfy 2 admission requirements at a time.
Speech-Language Pathology: Obtain a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test
- You must have obtained a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test (Casper – Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French.
Speech-Language Pathology: Have passed 2 language proficiency tests
- Have passed 2 language proficiency tests: 1 in English and 1 in French.
- These tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s OLBI.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Admissions Process
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Complete the ORPAS Application
Complete the ORPAS application, as instructed by ORPAS.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Upload Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Upload your CV in English or French as a PDF in the Personal Submissions section of the ORPAS application. Your CV must be in Times New Roman with a minimum font size of 12, in 8.5 x 11 inch format, with margins of at least 1 inch on all 4 sides. It must not exceed 2 pages in length. Only the first 2 pages will be considered.
Your CV must include the following information:
- Name, permanent address and email address
- Education (provide details on high school, college and university education)
- Volunteer experience (specify whether the activity took place during the summer or academic year, the number of hours per week and for how many years, the organization’s name and address, and briefly describe your responsibilities)
- Extracurricular activities
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Take the Casper Test
All applicants for professional programs in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa must take the online Casper test to be eligible for our programs.
The test evaluates interpersonal characteristics that are considered important for our students’ and graduates’ success. This evaluation complements other preselection tools that we use.
Casper test scores are sent directly by the agency to the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Candidates whose Casper test scores are incomplete or missing will not be considered for admission.
Steps for the Casper test:
- Refer to the Casper information page for important deadlines (which differ from the deadline to submit your ORPAS application).
- Submit your ORPAS application.
- The Casper test is taken outside the ORPAS application system. However, you will need your OUAC/ORPAS reference number and government-issued ID to register for the Casper test.
- You will receive your OUAC/ORPAS Reference Number after you have submitted your ORPAS application. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you submit your ORPAS application as soon as possible so that you have enough time to take the Casper test.
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French.
- The test is at the applicant’s expense.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Language Proficiency Tests
Audiology: Pass a Language Proficiency Test
- Pass a language proficiency test in the official language other than the language of instruction in your undergraduate program.
- If English was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take a French proficiency test.
- If French was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take an English proficiency test.
- If the language of instruction in your undergraduate program was neither English nor French, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French).
- If you are applying to Audiology only and you completed multiple university degrees, including at least one in French and one in English, you can request an exemption from the language test by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The language test requirement will remain in place unless you receive confirmation of this exemption.
If you are applying to both Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, you will need to pass both language proficiency tests (English and French). There are no exemptions.
These mandatory tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s OLBI. You do not need to enter your language test scores in the Test Scores section of the ORPAS application. It may be left blank.
Other standardized language tests (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, DALF) and prior education (e.g., French immersion) cannot be used to replace the stated language requirements.
Speech-Language Pathology: Successfully Complete 2 Language Proficiency Tests
Candidates who apply to the Speech-Language Pathology program must be able to communicate in English and French. Candidates will need to take a test in English and French for language proficiency assessment purposes. These mandatory tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s OLBI. You do not need to enter your language test scores in the Test Scores section of the ORPAS application. It may be left blank.
Other standardized language tests (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, DALF) and prior education (e.g., French immersion) cannot be used to replace the stated language requirements.
If you apply to more than one Rehabilitation Sciences program, you will not need to take the language tests more than once. Your scores will be forwarded to all the programs at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Steps for the language proficiency tests:
- Visit the OLBI webpage for information and test deadlines (which differ from the deadline for submitting your ORPAS application).
- The OLBI language proficiency tests are taken outside the ORPAS application system.
- Register for the Rehabilitation Sciences Admissions Test and pay the fee. After you have registered, allow at least 2 working days before accessing the test. You will receive an email once your access has been approved.
- The tests are at the applicant’s expense.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Indigenous Candidates
The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology program recognizes the barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in accessing higher education.
Two places are reserved for Indigenous candidates who are Canadian citizens and apply to the Speech-Language Pathology program, and 2 places for candidates who apply to the Audiology program. These persons must:
- meet the minimum requirements for entry into the program.
- apply for admission to the program via ORPAS, in accordance with the program-specific application process (refer to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Admission Process).
- select “yes” in answer to the question “Are you applying for a place reserved for Indigenous candidates” in the Personal Submissions section of the ORPAS application, and provide one or more documents attesting to their Indigenous ancestry. The Indigenous Affairs website contains a list of accepted documents. The documents must be sent to the Academic Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences at: healthsc@uOttawa.ca. They will be verified by the University of Ottawa’s Office of Indigenous Affairs.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Selection Method
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Complete Admission Files
The program’s Admissions Committee will review files that are complete, which include the following 5 elements:
1. Grades
- The minimum average for admission to master’s programs is:
- B (70%) if you have an honours bachelor’s degree. Averages are calculated by ORPAS from the 10 most recent full undergraduate courses (the equivalent of 20 ORPAS courses or 20 three-unit courses at the University of Ottawa), and include the final grades from the fall term of the current year. You must provide an up-to-date transcript that includes your fall term grades. or
- A (85%) if you are in the process of successfully completing your third year leading to an honours bachelor’s degree, at the rate of 15 units per term. (Your cumulative grade point average [CGPA], based on all courses completed in the first 3 years of your current honours bachelor’s program, will be considered for admission. You must provide an up-to-date transcript that includes your fall term grades. An offer of admission will be conditional on the submission of another transcript for the winter term of your third year that demonstrates that you have maintained the minimum average.) or
- you hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
- If you do not have the minimum average, your file will not be considered. Having the minimum average does not guarantee admission.
- More about GPA Calculations.
2. Prerequisites
- You must meet the requirements between your date of application and mid-August and provide official proof of successful completion by August 31 so that we can complete your admission.
3. Casper Test Scores
4. OLBI Language Test Scores
5. CV (Resumé)
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Pathways
In each program at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, admission pathways are in place to reflect the School’s fundamental mission — to train health professionals who can provide high quality rehabilitation services to Ontario’s French-speaking population and to other Francophone minority communities in Canada in a bilingual health care delivery environment.
Your status as an Ontarian, CNFS, or other candidate will be based on your permanent address, the university where you completed your undergraduate program, and information in your CV (education, work/volunteer experience).
Admission quotas are set at 70% for Ontario candidates, 12% for CNFS candidates, and 18% for other candidates. The admissions committees assign a pathway to each application and then group together all the applications in a given pathway.
The committees adhere strictly to these pathways. However, the percentage of candidates admitted via each pathway may vary from year to year, depending on the calibre of the applications submitted.
The number of offers of admission is based on the number of students who may be admitted to each program, provided that the calibre of the applications received is acceptable:
- Audiology: 15 places
- Speech-Language Pathology: 25 places
These conditions are reviewed annually. The University of Ottawa reserves the right, if necessary, to make changes without prior notice.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Possible Replies Once We Review the Applications
Once we have reviewed your application, you will receive either an offer of admission, a notice of placement on the wait list, or a rejection letter.
- If you receive an offer of admission, you must respond by the deadline stated in the letter. Failure to respond by the deadline will be construed as rejection of the offer.
If deemed necessary, we may add an English or French course to your program when we make you the offer of admission. In such cases, the course will be considered an additional program requirement. Should your language proficiency appear to be an obstacle to your academic success, your proficiency may be reassessed at any time during the program. A failing score on the language tests could result in withdrawal from the program or corrective measures.
- If you are wait-listed, you will receive an email indicating this, but we will not disclose your position on the wait list. Given the pathway regulations and the fluctuating number of applications in each pathway, the University cannot provide accurate information in this regard. As a result, we cannot say what your chances are of obtaining a spot in the program.
- If you are wait-listed and do not receive an offer of admission, you will be notified when the admission round has ended and admissions targets have been reached. In such cases, you will receive an email stating that the program is full.
- Anyone who is not admitted or wait-listed will receive a letter of rejection by email.
- Decisions are final and not subject to appeal, given the strict nature of the process. In addition, owing to the scope of the process and the number of applications we receive, the admissions committees will not provide any explanations if you have been wait-listed or if your application has been rejected.
The admissions committees and the program director are not authorized to discuss candidate files before, during or after the admissions process. We will add a negative notation to your file should you seek to communicate with members of the admissions committee or the program director in an attempt to sway or pressure them.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Additional Information
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: English Conversation Course
To help you prepare for your placements in bilingual or English settings, the School of Rehabilitation Sciences offers an English conversation course (REA 5940). We may recommend or require that you take this course to improve your language skills in English.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Contact Information
Faculty of Health Sciences
Academic Office
University of Ottawa
125 University Private, Room 242
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Email address: healthsc@uOttawa.ca
Occupational Therapy (MHSc)
Occupational Therapy: Overview
Occupational therapy is a health profession that helps to solve the problems that interfere with a person’s ability to participate in occupations (everyday activities) that they want to, need to, or are expected to do (such as taking care of yourself and your family, going to work or school, enjoying leisure activities, etc.). Occupational therapists do this by working with people and communities to enhance their abilities and/or by modifying the occupation and/or the physical and social environment.
Occupational therapists work in collaboration with individuals and groups of persons of all ages (children, adults, seniors) to prevent or address actual or potential occupational performance difficulties in daily life. These difficulties may be caused by:
- Physical, cognitive or mental health problems
- Developmental delays
- Age-related limitations
- Social or physical environmental barriers
Occupational therapists can work in a variety of settings:
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation Centres
- Long-term care facilities
- Schools
- Peoples’ workplaces
- Peoples’ homes
Mission of the Program
The mission of the program is to prepare students to become occupational therapists who, thanks to their reasoning skills, can facilitate the occupational participation of individuals and communities, with a particularly understanding of the needs of Francophone minority communities in Canada.
The program seeks to graduate occupational therapists whose practice centres on collaborative relationships and draws upon the latest theories and evidence-based data.
Students will acquire the knowledge, skills and reasoning ability needed to facilitate the occupational performance of children, adults and seniors (including families, communities and the general public) and to promote inter-professional cooperation among health care teams or among teams from other sectors where occupational therapists work.
Graduates of the University of Ottawa’s Occupational Therapy program have the skills to become leaders who will make a difference in their communities by advancing knowledge, creating alliances to promote diversity and equity, and inspiring action to create opportunities for occupational participation for everyone.
Occupational Therapy: Program Structure
The Occupational Therapy program is capped at 40 students per year. The 60-unit master’s program runs for 6 consecutive terms or 2 full-time years. Students must complete all the courses in the program, including clinical placements and the research project (ERG 6755 or ERG 6920), within the 2 years.
Educational activities can be divided into 6 different learning areas:
- Area 1: Occupational participation: Interaction between the individual, their occupations and their environment
- Area 2: Fundamental principles for the practice as an occupational therapist (being a professional)
- Area 3: Knowledge of health conditions and interventions – occupational therapist and the team
- Area 4: Occupational therapy practice: Assessment and intervention to promote occupational participation
- Area 5: Critical analysis of knowledge
- Area 6: Knowledge integration
The language requirements of the Occupational Therapy program are designed to support its mission to train bilingual professionals who can serve Ontario’s French-speaking population and Francophones in the other provinces and territories in Canada’s bilingual and multicultural context:
- Mandatory courses are offered solely in French, although a considerable number of scientific readings are in English. Some presentations given by guest speakers may be in English.
- Assignments and essay-question exams can be written in either English or French, except where assignments involve case simulation. In such situations, instructors may choose the official language to be used for interviews, assessment reports and intervention plans for a specific case to prepare students to work in either official language.
- Clinical placements may be in English, French or bilingual settings. Students will be required to complete at least 1 placement in each official language community.
You should therefore be able to function in English and French.
In addition to specific requirements, the program is governed by the University of Ottawa academic regulations applicable to graduate studies and by Faculty of Health Sciences regulations.
Occupational Therapy: Clinical Placements
You must complete a minimum of 1,000 placement hours in the program. For example, these compulsory placements could be completed in the National Capital Region in the following settings:
- General and specialized hospitals
- Rehabilitation centres
- Public and private outpatient clinics
- School boards
- Community agencies and organizations
Some placements may be completed outside the region in Canada. International placements are also possible under certain circumstances.
Requirements for Placements
Due to health and safety requirements in placement settings, students are required to meet the following requirements set by the University and the placements:
- Up-to-date record of immunization that reflects a pre-set schedule Immunization requirements must be met before each clinical placement. No exemptions will be granted for personal or philosophical reasons. Only medical reasons will be considered.
- Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training
In some settings, other documents or proof of training will be required and communicated to students in due course.
Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these requirements and fulfilling them. Students must meet these requirements throughout their clinical training and renew these requirements if any of them expire before the end of the placement.
Any student who does not provide the required documentation may be denied permission to undertake a placement.
Occupational Therapy: Admission Requirements
Occupational Therapy: General Requirements
To be eligible for the Occupational Therapy program, you must:
Occupational Therapy: Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with an average of at least B (70%) or
- be in the process of completing 3 years, at a recognized Canadian university, at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) in an honours 4-year bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the third year or
- hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
Occupational Therapy: Obtain a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test
- You must have obtained a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test (Casper – Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French.
Occupational Therapy: Pass a language proficiency test
- Pass a language proficiency test in the official language other than the language of instruction in your undergraduate program.
- If English was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take a French proficiency test.
- If French was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take an English proficiency test.
- If the language of instruction in your undergraduate program was neither English nor French, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French).
- If you completed multiple university degrees, including at least one in French and one in English, you can request an exemption from the language test by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The language test requirement will remain in place unless you receive confirmation of this exemption.
Occupational Therapy: Accelerated Stream
To apply for the accelerated stream you must hold an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy from a Canadian university recognized by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), have a B average (70%), and are a member in good standing of an occupational therapy association in Canada or are eligible for membership, you may choose the shortened master’s program in occupational therapy.
You will be granted 30 course units for your previous undergraduate degree in occupational therapy and your clinical experience. You will not be required to repeat the clinical training hours already completed as part of your undergraduate degree or time spent in professional practice. If you are applying to the accelerated stream, please notify the Academic Office by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The Casper exam is not required for the accelerated stream admission.
Occupational Therapy: Admission Process
Occupational Therapy: Complete the ORPAS Application
- Complete the ORPAS application, as instructed by ORPAS
Occupational Therapy: Upload Your CV
Upload your CV (in English or French) as a PDF into the Personal Submissions section of the ORPAS application. Your CV must be in Times New Roman with a minimum font size of 12, in 8.5 x 11-inch format, with margins of at least 1 inch on all 4 sides. It must not exceed 2 pages in length. Only the first 2 pages will be considered.
Your CV must include the following information:
- Name, permanent address and email address
- Education (provide details on high school, college or university education)
- Employment (specify whether summer employment, number of hours per week and number of years; indicate your position and describe your duties briefly)
- Volunteer experience (indicate whether the activity took place during the summer or academic year, the number of hours per week and the number of years; specify the organization’s name and address, and describe your duties briefly)
- Extracurricular activities
Occupational Therapy: Take the Casper Test
All candidates for professional programs offered by the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa must take the online Casper test to be eligible. The test assesses non-cognitive abilities and interpersonal characteristics that are considered important for our students’ success.
Casper test scores are sent directly by the agency to the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Candidates whose Casper test scores are incomplete or missing will not be considered for admission.
Steps to take the Casper test:
- Refer to the Casper information page for important deadlines (which differ from the deadline for submitting your ORPAS application).
- Submit your ORPAS application.
- The Casper test is taken outside the ORPAS application system. However, you will need your OUAC/ORPAS reference number and government-issued ID to register for the Casper test.
- You will receive your OUAC/ORPAS reference number after you have submitted your ORPAS application.
- We strongly recommend that you submit your ORPAS application as soon as possible so that you have enough time to take the Casper test.
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French.
- The test is at the applicant’s expense.
Occupational Therapy: Take the Language Proficiency Test
- You must take the language proficiency test in the official language that was not the language of instruction of your undergraduate program.
- If English was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take a French proficiency test.
- If French was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take an English proficiency test.
- If the language of instruction in your undergraduate program was neither English nor French, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French).
- If you completed multiple university degrees, including at least one in French and one in English, you can request an exemption from the language test by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The language test requirement will remain in place unless you receive confirmation of this exemption.
These compulsory tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s OLBI. You do not have to enter your scores in the “Test Results” section of the ORPAS application. It may be left blank.
Other standardized language tests (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, DALF) and prior education (e.g., French immersion) cannot be used in lieu of the language requirements stated above.
If you apply to more than one Rehabilitation Sciences program, you only need to take the language tests once. Your scores will be forwarded to all the programs at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Steps to take the language proficiency tests:
- Visit the OLBI webpage for information and test deadlines (which differ from the deadline for submitting your ORPAS application).
- The OLBI language proficiency tests are taken outside the ORPAS application system.
- Register for the Rehabilitation Sciences Admissions Test and pay the fee. Once you have registered, wait at least 2 working days before trying to take the test. You will receive an email to let you know that you can take the test.
- The tests are at the applicant’s expense.
Occupational Therapy: Indigenous Candidates
The Occupational Therapy program recognizes the barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in accessing higher education.
Two places are reserved for Indigenous candidates who are Canadian citizens. These persons must:
- meet the minimum requirements for entry into the program.
- apply for admission to the program through ORPAS, in accordance with the program-specific application process (refer to Occupational Therapy: Admission Process).
- Select “yes” in answer to the question “Are you applying for a place reserved for Indigenous candidates” in the Personal Submissions section of the ORPAS application, and provide one or more documents attesting to their Indigenous ancestry. The Indigenous Affairs website contains a list of accepted documents. The documents must be sent to the Academic Office in the Faculty of Health Sciences at: healthsc@uOttawa.ca. The documents will be verified by the University of Ottawa’s Office of Indigenous Affairs.
Occupational Therapy: Selection Method
Occupational Therapy: Complete Admission Files
The program’s Admissions Committee reviews the applications. Only complete admission files will be considered and evaluated based on 4 criteria:
1. Grades
- The minimum average for admission to master’s programs is:
- B (70%) if you have an honours bachelor’s degree. Averages are calculated by ORPAS from the 10 most recent full undergraduate courses (the equivalent of 20 ORPAS courses or 20 three-unit courses at the University of Ottawa), and include the final grades from the fall term of the current year. You must provide an up-to-date transcript that includes your fall term grades. or
- A (85%) if you are in the process of successfully completing your third year leading to an honours bachelor’s degree, at the rate of 15 units per term. (Your cumulative grade point average [CGPA], based on all courses completed in the first 3 years of your current honours bachelor’s program, will be considered for admission. You must provide an up-to-date transcript that includes your fall term grades. An offer of admission will be conditional on the submission of another transcript for the winter term of your third year that demonstrates that you have maintained the minimum average.) or
- you hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
- If you do not have the minimum average, your file will not be considered. Having the minimum average does not guarantee admission.
- More about GPA Calculations.
2. Pathways
- In each program, admission pathways are in place to reflect the School’s fundamental mission — to train health professionals who can deliver high-quality rehabilitation services to Ontario’s French-speaking population and to other Francophone minority communities in Canada in a bilingual health care environment.
- Your status as an Ontarian, CNFS, or other candidate will be based on your permanent address, the university where you completed your undergraduate program, and information in your CV (education, work/volunteer experience).
- Where applications are equal, priority is given to Ontario candidates. However, 5% of places (2 of 40) are reserved for Indigenous candidates who are Canadian citizens, 45% of places are reserved for Franco-Ontarian candidates (18 of 40), 15% for CNFS candidates (6 of 40), and 12.5% are reserved for candidates from the Outaouais region (5 of 40), while the rest are for candidates from other backgrounds. The admissions committees assign a pathway to each application and then group together all the applications in a given pathway.
- The committees adhere strictly to these pathways. However, the percentage of candidates admitted via each pathway may vary from year to year, depending on the calibre of the applications submitted.
3. Casper Test
4. OLBI Language Proficiency Test
The number of offers of admission is based on the number of students who may be admitted to each program, provided that the applications submitted meet the standards of the program.
Occupational Therapy: 40 places
These conditions are reviewed annually. The University of Ottawa reserves the right, if necessary, to make changes without prior notice.
Occupational Therapy: Possible Replies Once We Review the Applications
Once we have reviewed your application, you will receive either an offer of admission, a notice of placement on the wait list, or a rejection letter.
- If you receive an offer of admission, you must respond by the deadline stated in the letter. Failure to respond by the deadline will be construed as rejection of the offer.
If deemed necessary, an English or French course may be added to the program when the offer of admission is made. In such cases, this course will be considered as an additional program requirement.
- If you are wait-listed, you will receive an email indicating this, but we will not disclose your position on the wait list. Given the pathway regulations and the fluctuating number of applications in each pathway, the University cannot provide accurate information in this regard. As a result, we cannot say what your chances are of obtaining a spot in the program.
- If you are wait-listed and do not receive an offer of admission, you will be notified when the admission round has ended and admissions targets have been reached. In such cases, you will receive an email stating that the program is full.
- Anyone who is not admitted or wait-listed will receive a letter of rejection by email.
Decisions are final and not subject to appeal, given the strict nature of the process. In addition, owing to the scope of the process and the number of admission applications we receive, we cannot provide any explanations if you have been wait-listed or if your application has been rejected.
The Admissions Committee and the program director are not authorized to discuss applicant files either before, during or after the admissions process. A negative note will be added to your file should you seek to communicate with members of the Admissions Committee or the program director.
Occupational Therapy: Additional Information
Occupational Therapy: Contact Information
Faculty of Health Sciences
Academic Office
University of Ottawa
125 University Private, Room 242
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Email address: healthsc@uOttawa.ca
Physiotherapy (MHSc)
Physiotherapy: Mission of the Program
The mission of the Physiotherapy program is to foster excellence in research and teaching in rehabilitation, and to train bilingual physiotherapists who can serve Francophone clients in Ontario and in French-speaking communities across the country in Canada’s bilingual and multicultural environment.
Physiotherapy Program Structure
Courses in this program are offered in French only. However, assignments and exams can be written in either French or English. Students are required to complete at least 1 placement in their second language. Students should therefore be able to function in English and French, particularly in the spoken language.
The theoretical foundation of the program is based on both human movement sciences (kinesiology and pathokinesiology) and clinical sciences, and incorporates the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework as the standard for describing and measuring health.
The Master of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy runs for 6 consecutive terms or 24 months of full-time studies. It consists of 60 course units and 1,050 placement hours.
Placements take place in public and private clinical settings, located in eastern Ontario for the most part.
Physiotherapy Clinical Placements
Due to health and safety requirements in placement settings, students are required to meet the following requirements set by the University and the placements:
- Up-to-date record of immunization that reflects a pre-set schedule Immunization requirements must be met before each clinical placement. No exemptions will be granted for personal or philosophical reasons. Only medical reasons will be considered.
- Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training
In some settings, other documents or proof of training will be required and communicated to students in due course.
Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these requirements and fulfilling them. Students must meet these requirements throughout their clinical training and renew these requirements if any of them expire before the end of the placement.
Any student who does not provide the required documentation may be denied permission to undertake a placement.
Physiotherapy: Admission Requirements
Physiotherapy: General Requirements
To be eligible for the Physiotherapy program, you must:
Physiotherapy: Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with an average of at least B+ (75%) or
- be in the process of completing 3 years, at a recognized Canadian university, at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) in an honours 4-year bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the third year or
- hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
Physiotherapy: Complete the Required Prerequisites
Have obtained 3 university units (1 half-year course) in each of the following subjects:
- General anatomy or human physiology (e.g., ANP1505/1105 or the equivalent)
- Musculoskeletal anatomy (e.g., ANP1506/1106 or the equivalent)
- Human psychology (e.g., PSY1501/1101 or the equivalent)
- Research methodology or statistics (e.g., HSS2781/2381 or the equivalent)
For recognition of courses not on the list of accepted equivalencies, send an email with the course syllabus to the Academic Office at: healthsc@uOttawa.ca.
Each admission requirement must be fulfilled by a different course. The same course may not be used to satisfy 2 admission requirements at a time.
Physiotherapy: Obtain a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test
- You must have obtained a satisfactory score on a personal characteristics test (Casper – Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French.
Physiotherapy: Pass a language proficiency test
- Pass a language proficiency test in the official language that was not the language of instruction in your undergraduate program.
- If English was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take a French proficiency test.
- If French was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take an English proficiency test.
- If the language of instruction in your undergraduate program was neither English nor French, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French).
- If you completed multiple university degrees, including at least one in French and one in English, you can request an exemption from the language test by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The language test requirement will remain in place unless you receive confirmation of this exemption.
- These mandatory tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI).
If we find that your language proficiency seems to be an obstacle to your academic success, this proficiency could be reassessed at any time during the program. A failing grade on a language test could lead to withdrawal from the program or corrective measures.
Physiotherapy: Admission Process
Physiotherapy: Complete the ORPAS Application
Complete the ORPAS application, as instructed by ORPAS.
Physiotherapy: Upload Your CV
Upload your CV (in English or French) as a PDF into the Personal Submissions section of the ORPAS application. Your CV must be in at least 12-point font and must not exceed 2 pages in length.
Your CV must include the following information:
- Name, permanent address and email address
- Education (provide details on high school, college or university education)
- Work and volunteer experience (specify number of hours per week, and number of months or years)
Physiotherapy: Take the Casper Test
All candidates for professional programs offered by the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa must take the online Casper test to be eligible. The test assesses non-cognitive abilities and interpersonal characteristics that are considered important for our students’ success.
Casper test scores are sent directly by the agency to the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Candidates whose Casper test scores are incomplete or missing will not be considered for admission.
Steps for the Casper test:
- Refer to the Casper information page for important deadlines (which differ from the deadline for submitting your ORPAS application).
- Submit your ORPAS application.
- The Casper test is taken outside the ORPAS application system. However, you will need your OUAC/ORPAS reference number and government-issued ID to register for the Casper test.
- You will receive your OUAC/ORPAS reference number after you have submitted your ORPAS application.
- We strongly recommend that you submit your ORPAS application as soon as possible so that you have enough time to take the Casper test.
- The Casper test may be taken in English or French.
- The test is at the applicant’s expense.
Physiotherapy: Take the Language Proficiency Test
- You must take the language proficiency test in the official language that is not the language of instruction of your undergraduate program.
- If English was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take a French proficiency test.
- If French was the language of instruction in your undergraduate program, you will need to take an English proficiency test.
- If the language of instruction in your undergraduate program was neither English nor French, you will have to take both language proficiency tests (English and French).
- If you completed multiple university degrees, including at least one in French and one in English, you can request an exemption from the language test by emailing: healthsc@uottawa.ca. The language test requirement will remain in place unless you receive confirmation of this exemption.
These mandatory tests are administered by the University of Ottawa’s OLBI. You do not have to enter your scores in the “Test Results” section of the ORPAS application. It may be left blank.
Other standardized language tests (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, DALF) and prior education in immersion in either official language cannot be used instead of the OLBI language proficiency test.
If you apply to more than one rehabilitation sciences program, you will not need to take the language tests more than once. Your scores will be forwarded to all the programs at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Steps to take the language proficiency tests:
- Visit the OLBI webpage for information and test deadlines (which differ from the deadline for submitting your ORPAS application).
- The OLBI language proficiency tests are taken outside the ORPAS application system.
- Register for the Rehabilitation Sciences Admissions Test and pay the fee. Once you have registered, wait at least 2 working days before trying to take the test. You will receive an email to let you know that you can take the test.
- The tests are at the applicant’s expense.
Physiotherapy: Indigenous Candidates
The Physiotherapy program recognizes the barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in accessing higher education.
At least 2 places are reserved for Indigenous candidates who are Canadian citizens. These persons must:
- meet the minimum requirements for entry into the program.
- apply for admission to the program via ORPAS, in accordance with the program-specific application process (refer to Physiotherapy: Admission Process).
- select “yes” in answer to the question “Are you applying for a place reserved for Indigenous candidates” in the Personal Submissions section of the ORPAS application, and provide one or more documents attesting to their Indigenous ancestry. The Indigenous Affairs website contains a list of accepted documents. The documents must be sent to the Academic Office in the Faculty of Health Sciences at: healthsc@uottawa.ca. They will be verified by the University of Ottawa’s Office of Indigenous Affairs
Physiotherapy: Selection Method
Physiotherapy: Complete Admission Files
The program’s Admissions Committee reviews the applications. Only complete admission files will be considered and they will be evaluated on 5 criteria:
1. Grades
- The minimum average for admission to master’s programs is:
- B+ (75%) if you have an honours bachelor’s degree. Averages are calculated by ORPAS from the 10 most recent full undergraduate courses (the equivalent of 20 ORPAS courses or 20 three-unit courses at the University of Ottawa), and include the final grades from the fall term of the current year. You must provide an up-to-date transcript that includes your fall term grades. or
- A (85%) if you are in the process of successfully completing your third year leading to an honours bachelor’s degree, at the rate of 15 units per term. (Your cumulative grade point average [CGPA], based on all courses completed in the first 3 years of your current honours bachelor’s program, will be considered for admission. You must provide an up-to-date transcript that includes your fall term grades. An offer of admission will be conditional on the submission of another transcript for the winter term of your third year that demonstrates that you have maintained the minimum average.) or
- you hold a CEGEP diploma and a minimum of 2 years (60 units) of university study in an equivalent program in Q\uebec at the equivalent of 15 units per term (i.e., 5 courses of 3 units per fall and winter terms) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of A (85%) after the winter term of the second year.
- If you do not have the minimum average, your file will not be considered. Having the minimum average does not guarantee admission.
- More about GPA Calculations.
2. Pathways
- In each program, admission pathways are in place to reflect the School’s fundamental mission, which is to train health professionals who can deliver high-quality rehabilitation services to Ontario’s French-speaking population and to other Francophone minority communities in Canada in a bilingual health care environment.
- Pathways are determined based on your permanent address, the university where you completed your undergraduate program, and information in your CV (education, work or volunteer experience). The CV is used solely for pathway selection and not to assess the quality of the application.
- Here are the admission pathways for this program:
- Ontario/University of Ottawa Pathway: Ontario secondary school graduation diploma; or continuous extracurricular, work or volunteer activities in Ontario over the past 6 years; or undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa. (Number admitted: 33, with a minimum of 20 from Ontario.)
- Outside Ontario/Outside Q\uebec Pathway: Secondary school graduation diploma in a province other than Ontario or Q\uebec; or continuous extracurricular, work or volunteer activities in a province other than Ontario or Q\uebec over the past 6 years. (Number admitted: 5.)
- Other Pathway: Candidates not belonging to either of the2 previous pathways, but who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. (Number admitted: 2.)
- Indigenous Pathway: minimum of 2
- International Pathway: Candidates who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents. (Number admitted: maximum of 2, provided the quality of the applications is similar to that of applications from persons admitted through the other pathways.)
3. Prerequisites
- You must meet the requirements between the time you apply and mid-August. You must also provide official proof that you have fulfilled these requirements by August 31 so that admission can be finalized.
4. Casper Test
5. OLBI Language Proficiency Test
Applications are ranked within each admission pathway on the basis of the following weighting: 50% for the ORPAS average and 50% for the Casper test. Admission will also depend on your ability to demonstrate language proficiency at a level typically required by professional associations.
The number of offers of admission is based on the number of students who may be admitted to each program, provided that the calibre of the applications is sufficient.
Physiotherapy: 41 places
These conditions are reviewed annually. The University of Ottawa reserves the right, if necessary, to make changes without prior notice.
Physiotherapy: Possible Replies Once We Reviewed the Applications
Once we have reviewed your application, you will receive either an offer of admission, a notice of placement on the wait list, or a rejection letter.
- If you receive an offer of admission, you must respond by the deadline stated in the letter. Failure to respond by the deadline will be construed as rejection of the offer.
- If you are wait-listed, you will receive an email indicating this, but we will not disclose your position on the wait list.
- If you are wait-listed and do not receive an offer of admission, you will be notified when the admission round has ended and admission targets have been reached. In such cases, you will receive an email stating that the program is full.
- Anyone who is not admitted or wait-listed will receive a letter of rejection by email.
Decisions are final and not subject to appeal, given the strict nature of the process. In addition, owing to the scope of the process and the number of admission applications we receive, we cannot provide any explanations if you have been wait-listed or if your application has been rejected.
The Admissions Committee and the program director are not authorized to discuss applicant files either before, during or after the admissions process. A negative note will be added to your file should you seek to communicate with members of the Admissions Committee or the program director.
Physiotherapy: Additional Information
Physiotherapy: Contact Information
Faculty of Health Sciences
Academic Office
University of Ottawa
125 University Private, Room 242
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Email address: healthsc@uOttawa.ca