Admissions
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The English language proficiency testing is a requirement and is due by the deadline. The International English language testing system (IELTS) testing is still being held, please check the IELTS Website for dates and locations. TOEFL is offering at home testing if required, find more information about that by visiting the TOEFL Website.
No. The OT program begins in the fall of year one and continues over two full years. All students must complete all courses and advance from semester to semester. Due to the nature of skills being taught and various in-class experiences, there is no online option.
The application process is based on your sub-GPA, which is calculated using the most current 60 units of university study.
It is impossible to accurately predict how competitive the applicant pools are from year to year, however, the lowest sub-GPA for an invitation to interview are listed below:
- 2018 cycle was 3.77/4
- 2019 cycle was 3.76/4
- 2020 cycle was 3.78/4
- 2021 cycle was 3.84/4
Please note that the average sub-GPA of the final cohort may be higher than the cut-off for interview.
To ensure a fair and equitable admissions process, the McMaster Occupational Therapy Program utilizes the sub-GPA as calculated by ORPAS to determine the top-ranked applicants (approximately 250+) invited to the Multiple Mini Interview weekend. As such, any questions or concerns about your sub-GPA should be communicated to ORPAS via email at orpas@ouac.on.ca.
If both course grades fall into the most current 60 units of study then both grades will be used in your sub-GPA calculation.
The OT program has no prerequisites.
No. McMaster does not require reference letters or personal statements.
Unfortunately, we are not able to meet individually with every applicant, assess your transcripts, or advise you on your chances of admission.
Yes. We welcome students from a range of educational backgrounds and experience. Please note however, that the admission requirements are the same for all applicants.
No. The OT program begins in the fall of year one and continues over two full years. All students must complete all courses and advance from semester to semester. There is no provision for advance standing or ability to transfer into the program. Also, we cannot accept transfer credits.
In order to be eligible to apply to the Occupational Therapy Program, you must have either completed your degree, or will have finished all degree requirements by June 30 of the year in which you will enter the program.
You can apply to the Occupational Therapy Program if you meet the admission requirements. Please be sure to review the admissions process for international applicants.
If you are looking to practice in Canada with the training you have already done you can refer to the ACOTRO website for more information about that process.
Another resource for you is OTepp, the Occupational Therapy Examination and Practice Preparation Program for Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists in Canada.
No. While experience is always beneficial, you do not need any experience in order to apply to the program. We also do not require that you shadow an OT prior to applying.
The School of Rehabilitation Science offers a dual degree program which leads students to obtain both the Masters of Science (MSc OT) degree and the doctoral (PhD) Rehabilitation Science degree. The dual degree program aims to help train clinician scientists. Clinician scientists play an important role in linking research and evidence in the clinical applications of new approaches in the treatment of health problems. The dual degree program offers time efficiency and provides training for students that bridges rehabilitation research scientists and clinical faculty. The graduates will fill leadership roles in integrated health research and become clinician scientists who understand the issues facing the professions, the potential contributions they can make, and the research expertise to undertake these roles.
Applicants apply through the Rehabilitation Science (RS) program. In the RS program, the applicant will need a supervisor who will mentor them in their academic learning. It is highly encouraged that applicants reach out to faculty members that have a research interest that best align with theirs, and to inquire if they are taking in students in the future academic years. If the applicant has a strong application and is eligible for the program, the applicant may be invited for the dual degree interview. The interview is part of the admission process.
The dual degree program is typically completed in 5 years and is only offered in a full-time basis. In year 1, 2, and 5, the student will be in the RS PhD program and in year 3 and 4 the student will be in the MSc OT program.
Placements
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The terms clinical placement, fieldwork, and professional practice experience are often used interchangeably within the McMaster and clinical communities. The terms are used to describe the clinical education opportunities in which students participate.
Students apply knowledge acquired in the university setting and develop practical experience in clinical settings under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The purpose is to facilitate development of new knowledge, clinical reasoning skills and professional identity. The experience is collaborative among students, clients, preceptors, and university programs.
Clinical placements are assigned. The Director of Clinical Education of the MSc (OT) Program is responsible for arranging all practical/clinical education placements.
All in-catchment placements for OTP I (first 4-week clinical placement) are randomly allocated to students in the in-catchment stream. For OTP II, III, and IV, students in the in-catchment stream are invited to submit their preferences among the in-catchment placements that have been secured. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) will endeavour to match students to one of their preferences. However, there is no guarantee that we will consistently match students to one of their preferences.
No. Placements are assigned through a randomization process and no specific requests from sites are granted.
Placements can take place in the McMaster Occupational Therapy catchment area and in Northern Ontario through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM).
As reflected in the practice of Occupational Therapy in Canada, some placements may be located in rural, under-serviced and remote areas. In the NOSM placement stream, external funding may be available. Please note that all travel and accommodation costs for placements inside the catchment area and international placements are not covered by the program and are the responsibility of the student.
McMaster’s Occupational Therapy in-catchment area consists of sites in many geographical areas, all of which may form the resource pool for each placement course. Therefore, you are also expected to travel outside of Hamilton, Ontario for mandatory teaching sessions and clinical placements. You are responsible for your own transportation and associated costs to complete program requirements.
Please visit the map for the clinical catchment area.
Students are expected to travel outside of Hamilton, Ontario for mandatory teaching sessions and clinical placements. Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete program requirements. Some placements maybe located in rural, under-serviced and remote areas.