Overview
Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Program within the School of Rehabilitation Sciences
Welcome to the McMaster University Occupational Therapy Program. Occupational therapy is a health profession whose members collaborate in enabling occupation with clients who may be individuals, groups or organizations. Occupational therapy has developed theories and models for professional practice, which are supported by clearly articulated values and beliefs. Client-centred practice is central to practice. All people have the potential to think and act as participants in their lives. Therefore, to be client-centred, occupational therapists recognize that people are active participants in therapy rather than patients who are being treated.
The McMaster Occupational Therapy Program follows a similar path in preparing students to become competent occupational therapy practitioners, learning within a self-directed, problem-based educational environment.
WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL OF REHABILITATION SCIENCE
Education
Admissions
The application portal for the September 2025 intake is officially open!
We invite you to submit your applications.
More information about this can be found on the Admissions page.
Information Box Group
Clinical Education
Information Box Group
Newsletters & Resources
The OT Program releases monthly newsletters which you can find archived below.
Additionally, the Program would like to share the resources below with the community.
Alumni Testimonials
Expandable List
I came to Canada in 2010 and decided to return to school for my second bachelor’s in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster to pursue my interest mental health. During my final year of undergraduate studies, I learned about occupational therapy (OT) and decided to shadow an occupational therapist for a day to learn more about the profession. That one day of shadowing was all I needed to fall in love with the profession. What drew me in the most was the advocacy piece of the profession, as well as the fact that I would be able to work in mental health with an OT lens, which I found most meaningful. I started the OT Program in the midst of the pandemic, while raising two small children. I still cannot believe I did it, that I graduated from the OT program in 2022, at the age of 38. When I reflect on my experience, I realize my success would not have been possible without my passion and dedication for OT, as well as all the love, encouragement and support I received from my family, as well as everyone involved in McMaster’s OT program.
McMaster’s Occupational Therapy provided me with the opportunity to complete a placement in Thunder Bay through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine stream. While on placement, I took a special interest in learning about Indigenous health practices and being introduced to clients experiencing ongoing systems-level issues.
During my second placement, I was thrilled to be at Six Nations Health Services on the reserve in Ohsweken where I was able to build a partial case-load providing in-home, in-clinic, or long-term care based occupational therapy services. One of the highlights was my goal to learn about traditional Haudenosaunee practices including Medicine Wheel teachings, the significance of the four sacred medicines (i.e., sweetgrass, tobacco, sage, and cedar), sacred stories, and smudging for the purpose of delivering culturally appropriate care.
I currently work as a community OT with Innovative Occupational Therapy Services where I work with clients to support their recovery following motor vehicle accidents. I hope to gain additional experience and skills working in the community with a wide range of clients, to allow me to be better positioned to serve communities who face additional barriers to health and wellbeing.
