Physiotherapy, M.Sc.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the M.Sc. (PT) Program, applicants will have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree or the equivalent number of courses (120 units/credits), and will have achieved a minimum grade-point average of “B+” or 77% or 3.3/4.0 or 9/12.0 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:

A minimum of one (1) human anatomy course, at any level, with a grade of at least B+ (77%) or higher
A minimum of one (1) human physiology course, at any level, with a grade of at least B+ (77%) or higher
A minimum of one (1) statistics course, or research methods course in a health-related field⁺, at any level, with a grade of at least B+ (77%) or higher
A minimum of one (1) humanities or social sciences*+ course, at any level, with a grade of at least B+ (77%) or higher

*Note only subject areas identified by McMaster University’s Faculties of Humanities or Social Sciences will be accepted.

⁺One course cannot satisfy both the statistics/research methods prerequisite and the humanities/social sciences prerequisite. Two separate courses must be submitted on the applicant’s ORPAS application.

Please see Program website for more details regarding prerequisites.

Vulnerable Sector Checks are required as a condition of continued registration with a FHS Health Professional Program. An original Vulnerable Sector Check must be submitted on an annual basis and meet the directives of the current FHS Police Records Check Policy approved June 26, 2019. Click here 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/.

Applicant On-line Video Interview

All applicants who meet the required GPA admission requirements and pre-requisite courses will be invited to participate in an on-line, video-based interview comprised of a series of ‘mini interview’ questions. Once applicants have submitted their online application and paid the $50 video interview fee, the Program will notify applicants of the link to the video interview questions, instructions on how to complete the interview and the due date for completion of this component of the application. Please refer to the Program website for more details. Applicants will require an internet connection, a computer/laptop with a functioning webcam and microphone to complete the on-line, video-based interview.

Education Equity: Indigenous Applicants

The Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University acknowledges the barriers and challenges for Indigenous students accessing post graduate education programs and opportunities. The MSsc (PT) Program has a Facilitated Indigenous Admission Program (FIAP) for individuals with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit, or Metis) ancestry.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in (2015) called on all levels of government to:
• Increase the number of Aboriginal Professionals working in the Health Care Field
• Ensure the retention of Aboriginal Health-Care providers in Aboriginal Communities
• Provide cultural competency training for all health-care professional.

These principles guide the MSc (PT) Program in working towards an environment for all students, patients and educators to create focused learning opportunities of cultural awareness and humility.

Reference: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, United Nations., National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada., Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada., & United Nations. (2015). Truth & reconciliation: Calls to action.

Applicants wishing to apply through FIAP must complete the self-identification application and follow the program-specific application process (i.e. application through ORPAS, where Indigenous identification is declared).

Details about FIAP are available on the website: https://ihll.mcmaster.ca/students/future-students/facilitated-admissions-self-identification/

The deadline for application through FIAP is the same as the application to the Program.

Support for individuals applying to FIAP is available through the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge: ishsapc@mcmaster.ca

Black Applicants

The Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University acknowledges the barriers and challenges of Black students accessing post graduate education programs and opportunities. The MSc(PT) Program has a Facilitated Black Admissions Program for individuals whothat self-identify as Black.

This process was developed to provide equitable access to Black Canadians and aligns with the McMaster and the School of Rehabilitation Science’s (SRS) commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice in all that we do, and McMaster University’s statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose.

These principles guide the MSc (PT) Program in working towards an environment for all students, patients, and educators to create focused learning opportunities of cultural awareness and humility.

Black applicants wishing to apply for the Black Admissions Stream must follow the program-specific application progress (i.e. application through ORPAS) and follow directions posted on the MSc(PT) Program’s website.

Enquiries: 905 525-9140 Ext. 27859, PT Program Coordinator
Fax: 905 524-0069
Email: askPT@mcmaster.ca
Website: http://srs-mcmaster.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

Students will complete university-based course work, Clinical Education courses (clinical placements), an elective course and a research project. The MSc(PT) Program recognizes and acknowledges that students will also be required to participate in learning experiences at McMaster University and across the City of Hamilton, which is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

All students will be required to complete the equivalent of 23 required half-courses and one Program approved elective half-course over the five (5) units of full-time study, across two study years (24 months). All courses are required*, with the exception of PHYSIOTH 797 , PHYSIOTH 798 or PHYSIOTH 799 , which are offered to students eligible for remediation.

*Note: The MSc(PT) Program offers a dual degree option in collaboration with Rehabilitation Sciences. For program fulfillment requirements for students enrolled in the dual degree option please see the Dual Degree section of the Graduate Calendar.

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 Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (https://physiotherapy.ca/essential-competency-profile), may result in a decision to terminate the clinical placement or research project. In most situations 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 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 Program Handbook, 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 MSc (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 a student’s clinical placement 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 Program (academic or non-academic) requirements (e.g., obtain and receive clearance for mandatory health screening, mask fit testing, etc.).

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 Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (https://physiotherapy.ca/essential-competency-profile), may result in a decision to terminate the clinical placement or research project. In most situations 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 and Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Practice course, and may result in dismissal from the Program.

Accreditation

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

Regulation of Practice

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