Application Forms and Deadlines
Application materials, instructions, and full details about admission requirements for the MScOT program can be obtained online starting mid-October 2010 from the Ontario Universities Application Centre. The deadline to submit your ORPAS online application is January 6, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The University of Toronto will be closed from December 21, 2011 to January 1, 2012 inclusive.
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and the Department of Physical Therapy will be holding joint information sessions at the Rehabilitation Sciences Building located at 500 University Avenue (in room 140 or room 132 located on the first floor) this Fall. These sessions will provide prospective applicants with an opportunity to learn more about the programs. A portion of the presentation will be spent on application procedures and Q&A, and applicants will also be given the option of participating in a building tour given by our current students. While OT and PT are operated separately, students may apply to one or both programs through a single ORPAS account.
The information sessions are being held on:
- Tuesday, October 18, 2011 from 4:15PM to 5:45PM
- Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 4:15PM to 5:45PM
If you would like to learn more about our professional rehab programs at U of T and tour our facilities, please complete the registration form. You must register to attend an open house. Please note that these open houses have identical content and you should only register for one date.
Academic Requirements
Degree Offered
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto offers a 24-month Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, delivered in-class on-campus only.
General Application and Admission Requirements
BASIC ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY: To be eligible for the Occupational Therapy program at the University of Toronto in September 2011, applicants must have completed an appropriate bachelor’s degree with high academic standing from a recognized university, with a mid-B average or higher, in the final year. The final year of study is generally comprised of five full course equivalents (FCE) at the senior-level. This is a minimum requirement to apply. If an applicant meets this minimum requirement, their file is then ranked according to the “departmental ranking of applicants” process, as described in the section below.
DEPARTMENTAL RANKING OF APPLICANTS: To determine initial ranking only, the Department will review the last ten full course equivalents (FCE) completed at the undergraduate level. This includes summer session and part-time undergraduate courses taken beyond the completion of a bachelor’s degree. The ORPAS online application will allow you the opportunity to view your estimated GPA once you have submitted your application. Please note, the admissions average of the entry class each year is generally A- based on the last 10 FCE. ORPAS provides an Undergraduate Grading System Conversion Table on their website at www.ouac.on.ca/orpas. The admission selection process is highly competitive with only a limited number of applicants offered admission each year. Students applying to the Occupational Therapy program while in the final year of a bachelor’s degree program must provide evidence of degree conferral prior to enrolment (if offered admission) in the MScOT program by June 30, 2012.
Grade Point Average (GPA) - Applicants currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program
For applicants currently enrolled in the fourth year of a bachelor's degree program, this GPA calculation will be based on the applicant’s most recent 10 full course equivalents of university study at the undergraduate level. This calculation will start with the applicant’s final Fall grades (completed by December 31) and will move back in the order of courses listed on the transcript including summer session, failed courses, and bachelor’s degree courses taken beyond the completion of an undergraduate university degree. Where grades must be extracted from a term to achieve 10 full course equivalents (FCE), the average of that entire year (e.g. applicant’s second year, comprised of a Fall term and Winter term) will be used to capture the remaining courses required to reach 10 FCE. Generally, a minimum B+ average in these last 10 FCE would be considered competitive. Please note, the admissions average of the entry class in recent years has generally been in the A-minus range, based on the last 10 FCE. Prior study in Statistics, Physiology/ Biology (vertebrate), and Psychology may enhance students' learning in the program, but is NOT required. If you are still unclear, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for more information on GPA calculation.
Recommended Background Knowledge (NOT REQUIRED)
While having completed these courses is NOT required, to enhance the learning experience, applicants are encouraged to bring to the program basic background knowledge (i.e., core concepts) in the following subject areas:
- human growth and development
- introductory physiology or introductory human biology
- psychology
- sociology OR anthropology
- statistics and research design
*Please note: There are no pre-requisites or interviews required to apply to the program. The MSc OT Program is offered on a FULL-TIME basis only, in-class at our Toronto campus. Successful applicants will be expected to carry a full-course load on a full-time basis for the duration of the program.
Click here to view a sample academic overview.
Non-Academic Requirements
In addition to the academic application materials and the required transcript(s), applicants are required to submit a statement of intent (personal submission online) that responds to to specific questions, a résumé mailed directly to ORPAS, and two references using the “Confidential Assessment Forms” with their application to ORPAS. These additional application materials provide a more comprehensive impression of the applicant and what they would bring to this program and to the profession. It is expected that applicants have researched the profession of occupational therapy in order to make an informed career choice. Exposure to the profession of occupational therapy through paid or volunteer work, observational visits or job shadowing in various health care settings is strongly recommended.
Statement of Intent
All applicants must complete the Statement of Intent, found in the “Personal Submissions” section of the online application. Applicants should refer to the online instructions provided by ORPAS to complete the specific questions found on the statement of intent.
Resume
The resume must be single-spaced and typed in 11-point font on 8.5” x 11” paper, single sided with one-inch margins on all four edges, and must be no longer than two pages. The ORPAS Reference Number must be recorded in the top-right corner of each page of the resume. The applicant’s personal contact information (e.g. address, email) must not appear anywhere on the resume. All resumes should be mailed directly to ORPAS.
References
Applicants must submit two references using the Confidential Assessment Forms (R1 and R2) included in the ORPAS online application. The referees should be individuals who can address the applicant’s aptitude for studies in a health care profession. It is recommended that one letter come from a referee in academia who has evaluated the applicant’s academic performance. The second letter may also be from an academic source, though it is recommended that it come from a personal/professional source who can honestly comment on the applicant’s aptitude. Some examples include volunteer supervisors, research supervisors, OT mentors (job shadowing), community leaders, and experienced health care professionals. References from family or friends are not acceptable. The Confidential Assessment Form and accompanying reference letter must be submitted directly to ORPAS by the referee.
Health Requirements and Police Record Checks
Although not required for the admission application, students should note that they will be required to complete the Rehabilitation Sciences Health Form after acceptance and prior to registration. Completion of this form will require evidence of a tuberculin test in each year of the program and up-to-date records of vaccinations for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, diphtheria/tetanus and polio. In addition, certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at the Basic Rescuer (C) level must also be submitted after the student has been accepted into the program and before registration. Students are also expected to provide information regarding any physical, psychological or learning difficulties, which may affect their education in the program. These requirements must be met in order for students to be able to participate in fieldwork placements.
Many facilities also require a police record check. The department strongly recommends admitted students obtain a Police Check Vulnerable Sector Screening. The department will provide admitted students with information on how best to obtain these verifications prior to orientation in September. A fieldwork placement can be cancelled or delayed if a student fails to obtain a clear satisfactory police record check or vulnerable sector screening. This may affect the graduation date of the student. Please contact the department’s Fieldwork Coordinator or Student Services Officer if you have concerns prior to applying.
Notices
Application to the program implies that the applicant accepts the admissions policies, procedures and methods by which applicants are chosen. Registration in the program implies that the student accepts the objectives of the program, and the methods by which progress to meet those objects are evaluated. You can read about these polices, procedures, and objectives in the Student Handbook.
The admissions policy and procedures are under constant review. Although the Department endeavours to inform prospective applicants in a timely fashion, it reserves the right to change the admission and registration requirements at any time without notice.
Foreign Academic Education
Applicants Educated Outside of Canada
All applicants must be either Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants), or have an appropriate study permit obtained from a Canadian Visa Post. Applicants whose education was completed outside Canada are advised to make every attempt possible to obtain official academic records, including a copy of the diploma if they have already graduated. To be considered official, academic records must be received by ORPAS directly from the originating institutions, including English language translations. Applicants should note that official documents will be required before any firm offer of admission can be made. Official English translations, done by a certified translator (either within Ontario or a translator approved by a Canadian Visa Post abroad), must also be submitted for all non-English documentation. Copies of original documents and certified translations must be submitted at the time of application to ORPAS and the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. An interview may be required at the request of the Department’s Admission Committee.
World Educations Services (WES)
WES verifies educational documents (original and/or photocopies) and credentials earned abroad for authenticity. Reports will be used only as a reference in the assessment of admission eligibility. Please visit the WES website for full information.
English Facility
Facility in the English language is essential for success in the program. English proficiency must be demonstrated by all applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be satisfied through proof of achieving at least the minimum acceptable score for one of the English proficiency tests as listed in the University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies Calendar. The Department requires that applicants use Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum score requirements are listed in the accompanying chart:
| Minimum TOEFL Score Requirement | ||
|---|---|---|
Paper-Based Test and TWE |
Internet-Based Test and Writing and Speaking Sections |
|
Overall score: 600 Test for Written English (TWE): 5 |
|
Overall score: 100 Writing: 22 Speaking: 22 |
TOEFL candidates should request that results be sent to institution code: 0982-00
An applicant, who has been educated in a university where the language of instruction and examination is English, will not be required to take another TOEFL exam, provided that they meet the Department’s minimum requirement from their TOEFL exam.
If an applicant has graduated from a university in a country where the primary language is not English but the medium of instruction and examination at their university was English, that applicant must arrange for a letter to be sent from that institution confirming that the language of instruction and examination at that institution was English. The letter should be sent directly to this Department and to the attention of Alim Lalani, Student Liaison Officer. Applicants should note that satisfactory English language facility test results are required before any offer of admission can be made. An interview may be required at the request of the Department’s Admission Committee.
Deferrals
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy will not consider deferrals.
Tuition
For the most comprehensive information about fees, invoices, payments, budgeting, refunds and service charges, etc., students should visit the Admissions and Awards website. Tuition schedules for the MScOT program are listed under the Faculty of Medicine.
Although the deadlines are fairly similar from year-to-year, for specific deadline dates (for payment of fees or fee deferral, final registration, first assessment of interest charges, etc.) and other related information such as refund schedules, students should refer to the current Essential Grad Guide on the SGS website.
Invoices + Fee Payment (or Payment Deferral) = Registered Student
A student is considered to be registered as soon as he or she has paid tuition and incidental fees, or has made appropriate arrangements for deferral of payment. This must be done by the deadline as indicated by Student Accounts. There are also more details available at SGS Registration, Enrolment & Appeals.
2011-2012 Approximate Annual Academic Fees + Incidental Fees
Charges for an academic program; may be assessed by course or by program. There is a domestic and an international rate.
- Domestic Students - $9849.36 approx.
- International Students - $22567.36 approx. (plus mandatory health insurance)
MScOT students do not pay fees per individual course, but rather a program fee which covers an entire year of the program (three terms). When the fee is posted to your online student account, it will be posted partially under the Fall session and under the Winter session, and no fees will be posted to the Summer session. The entire annual tuition is considered due by the end of August each year, but students are allowed to register as long as they pay the minimum fee as indicated on the invoice. Fees are subject to change in 2012-2013. Incidental fees consist of campus and student society fees, charges for campus organizations and services.
Campus Fees
Included in these fees are charges for Athletics, Hart House, Health Services, Student Services, CANCOPY License, Student Affairs Charges for campus organizations and services.
Student Society Fees
Also included in these fees are charges for membership in student societies. All students are members of various student societies as determined by their program of study and full-time or part-time status (i.e. GSU, GSU-health insurance).
Fees charged to members of a specific college, faculty or program, (i.e. OT/PT Students’ Council).
Frequently Asked Questions
Please visit the FAQ section for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the program and admissions.
Contact
If you have a question that is not answered in the admissions information or frequently asked questions sections, please contact occupational.therapy@utoronto.ca.
