Physiotherapy, M.Sc.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the M.Sc. (PT) program, applicants must have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree or the equivalent number of courses (120 units/credits), and have achieved a minimum grade-point average of “B” or 75% or 3.0/4.0 or 8.0/12.0 in their final 60 units of credit. Post-graduate coursework is also considered in this GPA calculation. Applicants may apply during the fourth year of their degree. In this case, the pre-admission GPA for eligibility purposes is calculated using the most recent 60 units of credit towards their degree. If an applicant in this category is subsequently offered admission to the program, the offer is “conditional” upon successful completion of their four-year degree by June 30 in that year, and maintenance of a B average in their final 60 units of credit.

Additional requirements include:

1. a minimum of one biological or life science course at any level with a grade of at least B (75%) or higher
2. a minimum of one social science or humanities course at any level with a grade of at least B (75%) or higher

Please see program website for more details regarding prerequisites.

An offer of admission is contingent upon a “clear” approved Criminal Record Check or approval by the Assistant Dean (as per the Police Records Check Policy approved by McMaster University Senate December 8, 2010). See http://www.srs-mcmaster.ca/Portals/20/pdf/admission/OT_PT_Student_Police_Records_Check.pdf for the full policy.

Application Procedure

Applicants are required to apply via the ORPAS on-line application service located at the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS), Guelph, Ontario website: http://www.ouac.on.ca/orpas/. Top ranked applicants (based on GPA) will be invited for a personal interview, which entails a series of seven “mini interviews.” Personal qualities and life experiences are assessed at these “mini interviews.” Interviewers are drawn from the faculty, the community, and current students.

Enquiries: 905 525-9140 Ext. 27829, Admissions Coordinator
Fax: 905 524-0069
Email: otpt@mcmaster.ca
Website: http://www.discovermacsrs.ca

Graduates with a strong research bias may be eligible to proceed to thesis-based graduate programs should they wish to do so in the future.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science (PT) will meet professional accreditation and practice standards. Students will complete course work, clinical placements and an independent research project. All students will be required to complete the equivalent of 23 half-courses over 6 terms of full-time study across two extended study years. All courses are required. The University reserves the right to cancel academic privileges of a student at any time should the student’s scholastic record or conduct warrant so doing. Serious deficits in matters pertaining to work in clinical settings, research ethics or professionalism when interacting with human or other subjects may result in termination of the work in a clinical placement or research project. Unsatisfactory standing or serious deficits in matters pertaining to professional skills, which include but are not limited to patient safety, professionalism, ethical behavior and technical skills, as described in the Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (www.physiotherapy.ca), may result in a decision to terminate the clinical placement or research project. Termination of the clinical placement or research project constitutes a failure and will result in the student receiving a grade of F in the Clinical Practice course or the Research and Evidence-Based Practice course, and may result in dismissal from the program. For Health Sciences Graduate programs with clinical courses, all clinical activities associated with such courses must be successfully achieved for attainment of a passing grade in the course. Students will receive a Student General Guide, a Curriculum Guide, a Clinical Education Handbook and Unit Handbooks which provide additional information and details regarding procedures, guidelines and requirements. In the event of a discrepancy between these documents and the Graduate Calendar, the Graduate Calendar represents the official policy.

Review of Student Progress

The progress of students in the Master of Science (PT) program is overseen by a team of McMaster faculty and registered therapists. Student progress in the program is regularly reviewed by a Program Academic Study Committee (PASC). The PASC’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to determining if a student may proceed to the next unit of study.

The program may, in appropriate circumstances, defer or remove a student from a clinical placement if the student, including but not limited to, fails to maintain timely and professional communication with the program, exhibits behaviours that place clients or others at risk, or fails to comply with other academic or non-academic (e.g., obtain and receive clearance for mandatory health screening, mask fit testing, etc.) requirements.

Deficits in matters pertaining to work in clinical settings, research ethics or professionalism may result in restrictions or termination of the work in a clinical placement or research project. Unsatisfactory standing or deficits in matters pertaining to professional skills, which include but are not limited to patient safety, professional and ethical behavior, and knowledge and skills, as described in the Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (www.physiotherapy.ca), may result in a decision to terminate the clinical placement or research project. Termination of the clinical placement or research project constitutes a failure and will result in the student receiving a grade of F in the Clinical Education course or the Research in Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Practice course, and may result in dismissal from the program.

Accreditation

The M.Sc. (PT) Program is accredited by the Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC).

Regulation of Practice

All physiotherapists in Canada must be registered with the appropriate provincial regulatory body in order to practice in that province. Each regulatory body has a separate and distinct registration process; however, in all circumstances, a degree in physiotherapy is required. In Ontario, successful completion of the Physiotherapy Competence Examination (PCE) is also required.