Admission

Master's and PhD Programs

When applying, all students must choose a research supervisor and apply to one field of study. Applications received after the deadline will be considered if space in the program is available. See below for full details.

Step 1: Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science (MSc) or PhD program, students must meet the minimum admission requirements:

Master's (MSc)

  • Completion of an Honours degree (or equivalent) with a minimum average of 75% over the final two years, or graduation from an accredited university with an equivalent degree and standing
  • Students with an average between 70% and 75% will be evaluated for admission on a case-by-case basis

PhD

  • Completion of a master's degree with a minimum 75% average in courses taken at the master's level
  • Students with an average between 70% and 75% will be evaluated for admission on a case-by-case basis

In addition, applications to both the MSc and PhD programs must include:

  • Two academic letters of reference:
    • Academic References:
      • Must be completed by an individual who holds an academic faculty position in a university, who has taught or supervised the applicant, and who is qualified to judge the applicant's academic ability relative to a number of other students
      • Positions such as a teaching assistant or athletic therapist/trainer do not qualify as academic referees
      • References must not be submitted by relatives, friends or family friends
      • Referees should elaborate on the applicant's unique and exceptional qualities
  • A curriculum vitae or resume
  • A statement of research interest
    • Applicants must provide a brief overview of the research they intend to conduct (500-word maximum)
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency completed within the last two years (TOEFL or IELTS is recommended)
    • A minimum TOEFL score of 620 (paper-based), 105 (internet-based), 260 (computer-based) or an IELTS score of 7.5 (in both writing and the overall score) is required

Step 2: Choose a Field of Study

Step 3: Find a Thesis Supervisor

Before submitting an application, prospective students are responsible for contacting a potential research supervisor who may be best suited to their research interests. Finding a suitable match with a supervisor is a key element to gaining entry into the program  Supervisors are listed on the page for each individual field of study.

Step 4: Complete & Submit an Application

Apply to the appropriate program using the online application system through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). Applications received after the deadline will be considered if space in the program is available.

Additional Application Requirements

  • Landing papers (if applicable)
    For permanent residents of Canada only, please upload a photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card or a photocopy of your Record of Landing. If you are applying to be a permanent resident, but have not been granted landed-immigrant status, you must apply as an international applicant.
  • One unofficial/digital academic transcript from each postsecondary institution attended
    • Past/current Western students may upload the academic record from their Student Centre account
    • Students from other universities should upload digital transcripts (.pdf files less than 3MB)
    • Students offered admission are required to provide one official academic transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. An official transcript is a transcript in an unopened envelope with the institution's stamp on the seal.

Combined Programs

MScOT/PhD, MPT/PhD, MClSc/PhD (Aud/SLP)

Applications may be submitted beginning October 15. Prospective students interested in this program must apply using the online application system through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). Prospective students interested in the MPT/PhD combined program, please be aware that the ORPAS application must be submitted by the MPT Program deadline (first week of January). Students applying to the combined Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Speech Language Pathology programs are not required to submit an application directly to the professional program (MClSc, MScOT) unless they wish to apply to that program separately.

The deadline to submit SGPS applications to the MScOT/PhD, MPT/PhD, and MClSc/PhD (Aud and SLP) combined programs is January 5.

NOTE: The combined programs have higher tuition rates than the regular PhD program.

Step 1: Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the combined programs, students must meet all the requirements listed below:

Step 2: Find a Thesis Supervisor

Before submitting an application, prospective students are responsible for contacting a potential research supervisor who may be best suited to their research interests. Supervisors are listed on the page for each individual field of study.

Step 3: Complete & Submit an Application

Applying to the combined programs consists of two components. Prospective students must:

  • Submit the online application
  • Include supplemental application materials through the online application (outlined below)
  • Submit the ORPAS online application by the ORPAS deadline (for MPT/PhD combined program only)

Step 4: Supplemental Application Materials

As part of the application process, prospective students are required to include a number of supplemental materials to complete their application. Supplemental materials are submitted electronically as part of the online application. These items are described below.

General Requirements (apply to all programs)

Transcripts

One unofficial/digital academic transcript from each postsecondary institution attended must be included with the application. Students applying to the MPT/PhD Program will submit transcripts through ORPAS only. 

  • Past/current Western students may upload the academic record from their Student Centre account
  • Students from other universities should upload digital transcripts (.pdf files less than 3MB)
  • Students offered admission are required to provide one official academic transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. An official transcript is a transcript in an unopened envelope with the institution's stamp on the seal.

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants should complete the appropriate form listing all prerequisite courses required for entry to the combined programs. The completed form is uploaded as part of the online application. In most cases, all required prerequisite courses must be either completed or in progress prior to admission to the program.

References

Two letters of reference from different professors who can evaluate an applicant's past academic performance. The professors providing these references should be able to evaluate both oral and written communication skills, as well as the applicant's research potential. Through the online application, students submit the contact information for their references. Western contacts the references electronically and collects the reference letters. Applicants are not required to submit hard copies of letters of reference.

Two standard letters of reference: 

  • Academic References:
    • Must be completed by an individual who holds an academic faculty position in a university, who has taught or supervised the applicant, and who is qualified to judge the applicant's academic ability relative to a number of other students
    • Positions such as a teaching assistant or athletic therapist/trainer do not qualify as academic referees
    • References must not be submitted by relatives, friends or family friends
    • Referees should elaborate on the applicant's unique and exceptional qualities

Students applying to the MPT/PhD Program will submit two references as required through the ORPAS application, and may elect to submit a third reference according to the SGPS application.

Thesis Supervisor

Applicants should identify a research supervisor in their chosen field who supervises students within the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program and shares their area of research interest. It is suggested that applicants contact prospective research supervisors before submitting an application. Superviors are listed on the page for each individual field of study.

Online Application to Combined Programs

Curriculum Vitae

A curriculum vitae outlining previous research experience (e.g. published papers, scientific presentations, honours research project, summer research work, graduate thesis, etc).

Research Experience Summary

A one-page summary describing the applicant's research experiences.

Statement of Research Plan

Applicants must provide a brief overview of the research they are interested in conducting during their doctoral studies (500-word maximum).

Reference from Potential Supervisor

Potential supervisors must submit a confidential letter outlining:

  • Applicant’s capacity to succeed in the program
  • Potential projects
  • Feasibility to complete during the required timeline

Program Specific Requirements

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology (MClSc/PhD)

Professional Reference Letter

A third professional or personal letter of reference is required from someone who knows you well from a non-academic setting (e.g. work supervisor, coach, clergy member, etc).

Clinical references and volunteer hours are not required (and should not be sought) for the 2024 application cycle. Please see https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/csd/programs/admission.html for details.

Occupational Therapy (MScOT/PhD)

Casper

All applicants are required to complete a C test.

Casper is an online test that assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening.

NOTE: Applicants must add Western’s School of Occupational Therapy to their Casper distribution list in order for their scores to be sent directly to us from Casper. For the 2024 application, the last Casper test date that will be accepted by the School of Occupational Therapy is on January 25, 2024. Visit Casper for all available test dates. Students applying only to the Combined program in MScOT/PhD who miss the January Casper deadline should contact the Admission Coordinator at askot@uwo.ca or at 519-661-2111 ext. 84351.

Physical Therapy (MPT/PhD)

To be considered for the combined MPT/PhD program, applicants must complete all three components:

Casper

In addition to submitting an application through ORPAS (see below), applicants are required to complete a Casper online, video-scenario, situational judgement test.

NOTE: Applicants must add Western’s School of Physical Therapy to their Casper distribution list in order for their scores to be sent directly to us from Casper.

For the 2024 application, the last Casper test date that will be accepted is on January 25, 2024. Visit Casper for all available test dates.

Applicants must use the same name and email address on the Casper as they do on their ORPAS application.

Failing to enter correct and identical information may mean we are unable to match an applicant's Casper results with their ORPAS application. In this case, we will consider an application incomplete and the application will be disqualified from further consideration.

We will not consider applicants with incomplete or missing Casper scores.

Failing to enter correct and identical information may mean that we are unable to match your Casper results with your ORPAS application. In this case, we will consider your application incomplete and your application will be disqualified from further consideration.

We will not give further consideration to applicants whose Casper score is below average, or whose test is missing or incomplete.


ORPAS Application System:

Please be aware that the ORPAS application must be submitted by the MPT Program deadline (first week of January). If you have any questions about the admission process, please do not hesitate to email hrsinfo@uwo.ca

Transcripts:

  • Official transcripts must be sent directly to ORPAS from the originating academic institution
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted, including transcripts for course work that is currently in progress, taken with a letter of permission, transfer credits, exchange credit program or advanced standing credits taken during high school or CEGEP
  • For transcripts issued in a language other than English, applicants must submit one official transcript in the original language, as well as one certified English translation
  • Applicants, whose undergraduate degree was completed at an institution outside of Canada or the United States, must submit their transcripts for equivalency using the two steps outlined below
    • Submit the foreign transcript to World Education Services (WES) for evaluation
    • Submit both the original transcript and the WES evaluation to ORPAS
    • WES assessment is not required for courses taken on exchange
    • Note: The applicant is responsible for any costs incurred in obtaining the WES evaluation.

Prerequisite Courses:

  • Identify the prerequisite category, institution, course code, course title, start date/credit, final grade, and course URL

Two standard letters of reference:

  • References must be submited online through the ORPAS application
  • Academic Reference:
    • One reference must be completed by an individual who holds an academic faculty position in a university, who has taught or supervised the applicant, and who is qualified to judge the applicant's academic ability relative to a number of other students
    • Positions such as a teaching assistant or athletic therapist/trainer do not qualify as academic referees
  • Professional Reference:
    • The second reference must be completed by a professional who can judge the applicant's performance and interpersonal skills from his/her perspective as a physical therapist, or someone who supervised the applicant working with individuals with special needs
    • References must not be submitted by relatives, friends or family friends
  • Referees should elaborate on the applicant's unique and exceptional qualities

Applicant Statement: (completed as part of the online application)

  • Maximum 6,250 characters (approx. 1,000 words)
  • The applicant's statement should include all of the following components:
    • An explanation of why they have chosen physical therapy as a career, demonstrating your knowledge of the profession and its scope of practice
    • A description of what they will bring to the physical therapy profession (e.g. strengths, experiences, attributes, leadership, skills and/or abilities)
  • The Applicant Statement should elaborate on the unique and exceptional qualities of the applicant rather than just their aspirations to become a physical therapist

Evidence of Paid or Unpaid Physical Therapy-related Experiences and Paid or Unpaid Community Service Activities

  • Provide a brief list (maximum of 4) of any activities (volunteer or paid) directly related to the physical therapy field, including a clear outline of the types of patients/individuals and the applicant's role
  • This experience does not need to take place at a physical therapy clinic but should include working with patients/individuals with needs that could be serviced by a physical therapist
  • Documentation must include the total number of hours of involvement, as well as the applicant’s role and the population with which the applicant interacted
  • IMPORTANT: Enter the total number of hours, applicants who enter only the number of hours per week will not be credited since the total number of hours cannot be discerned

Evidence of Paid or Unpaid Non-Physical Therapy/Community Service Activities

  • Provide a brief description (maximum of 4 activities) of any other activities (volunteer or paid experiences) that provide evidence of involvement and leadership in increasing the well-being of individuals, groups or society in general
  • Documentation must include the total number of hours of involvement, as well as the applicant’s role and the population with which the applicant interacted
  • IMPORTANT: Enter the total number of hours, applicants who enter only the number of hours per week will not be credited since the total number of hours cannot be discerned

Supplementary Documentation

  • Applicants who are permanent residents of Canada must submit a copy of both the front and back (date on the back must be legible) of their Permanent Residency Card as part of their application

Step 5: Applicant Interviews

Once the application process has been completed and the files are reviewed, eligible applicants are invited for an interview with the program Admissions Committee. Interviews are typically conducted in March for the MClSc/PhD program and April-May for the MPT/PhD and MScOT/PhD programs.