Admission & Application

Dates and Deadlines

Domestic Students

• ORPAS Application Opens: October 12 2023
• ORPAS Application Deadline: January 5 2024
• Last Day to Complete Casper Test: January 25 2024
• Transcript Submission Deadline: January 30 2024
• Initial Offers Sent: May 15 2024
• Deadline for Initial Offers (Begin Offers from Waitlist): May 29 2024
• Final Transcripts Must be Submitted: June 30 2024
• Pre-Program Requirements Due: September 1 2024

International Students

International students may apply through ORPAS following the above timelines if they choose. However, this is not a requirement as you may apply directly to the program at any time. If you have any questions about this process or would like to submit an application, please complete this survey or email ptinternational@uwo.ca.

Admissions Decisions

Applicants who have met the requirements and have completed the prerequisite courses, are eligible for file review and consideration for admission. Place of residence, program of study and university where undergraduate courses and degree were completed are not criteria in the selection process.

The MPT Program uses the following process to determine admission to the program:

• Based on the applications received, the 300 applicants with the highest sub-GPA are selected for further consideration
  • The cutoff sub-GPA is dependent on that year’s applicant pool and therefore varies from year to year
• The top 300 applicants’ files are screened for completeness including all necessary documentation, Casper score, and appropriate prerequisites
• Casper ranking: Students who are ranked below average on the Casper test will not be given further consideration
  • Students ranked more than two standard deviations above average, may be added to the files sent for external review even if they were not within the top 300 applicants ranked by sub-GPA
• The Applicant’s Statement, Letters of Reference, volunteer/paid physical therapy experience and volunteer/paid non-physical therapy activities/community service are then reviewed by three independent reviewers and a score is assigned using standardized rubrics for each of these areas
  
  • The rubric is not available for applicants to review
• Final ranking for offers of admission is determined by the average of the scores from all three reviewers
  • Applicants not receiving a first round offer of admission, are placed in order of rank on the waiting list

Admissions decisions made by the School of Physical Therapy are final and not subject to appeal.

Generally, we do not accept requests for admission deferrals. Deferrals may be granted in exceptional circumstances at the program’s discretion and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate documentation may be required to substantiate a request for deferral.

NOTE: The Admissions Committee may need to contact applicants during the selection process to ensure every aspect of the eligibility criteria is met. Information will be sent electronically to the address that was used to apply through ORPAS. It is important that applicants configure their email settings to accept messages coming from @uwo.ca addresses. Applicants are encouraged to check their junk/spam mail folders often to ensure important information is not missed during this time.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have successfully completed a four-year bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university or postsecondary degree-granting institution
  
  • Applicants in the final year of their bachelor's degree must provide proof of degree completion (ie. degree conferral) by June 30
  • Applicants whose bachelor's degree was completed at an institution outside of Canada, must submit their transcripts for equivalency (see Application Components section below)

NOTE: Applicants may submit a request for special consideration due to extenuating circumstances that may have affected their application. Please see the Special Considersation section below.

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses may be taken at any recognized university. Prerequisite courses may have been taken as part of an undergraduate degree or as additional university credit courses. University, web-based and distance education courses are accepted providing they meet the prerequisite requirements.

All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past seven years (from the ORPAS application deadline). A minimum grade of 70% (or B-) must have been achieved for each prerequisite course.

Pass/fail grades will not be accepted for the prerequisite courses unless completed during the winter 2020 term.

The following university level prerequisite courses or their equivalents are required:

• Human/Mammalian/Vertebrate Physiology – 1 half course
  • We do not accept Animal Physiology, Invertebrate Physiology or Exercise Physiology to fulfill this requirement
• Science – 1 full course (or 2 half courses) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Biomechanics, or Exercise Physiology
  • We do not accept Earth Science or Health Studies courses to fulfill this requirement
• Statistics/Research Methods/Research Design – 1 half course
• Social Science/Liberal Arts – 1 full course (or 2 half courses)
  • Example of courses include: Psychology, Sociology, Economics, History, Geography, Anthropology, Languages, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Ethics, Classical Studies, Film Studies, Comparative Literature, Humanities, Music, Dance, Visual Arts

Full courses are generally defined as six credit, full-year courses; half courses are defined as three credit, half-year courses.

Prospective applicants may complete summer courses and part-time academic year courses to fulfill the prerequisite course requirements. All prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress by the ORPAS application deadline (see above).

A transcript is required to show proof of “in progress” courses. The MPT Program must receive a final transcript that shows the final grade of the “in progress” course(s) by June 30 of the application year.

Note: We are only checking that prerequisite courses have a minimum grade of 70% and were completed within the last seven years (as of the application deadline). Prerequisite courses will only be included in the subGPA, if they fall within the last 20 half courses used in the subGPA calculation.

The following prerequisites do not come into effect until the 2025 application cycle. We will be keeping the Human/Mammalian/Vertebrate Physiology, Statistics/Research Methods/Research Design and Social Science/Liberal Arts prerequisites.

• Canadian Indigenous History – certificate or half course
  • Requirement can be satisfied by taking the for certificate course Indigenous Canada, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Submit course completion certificate by June 30th of application year.
  • Requirement be satisfied by taking a for credit half-course in Indigenous history.

• Human Anatomy – 1 half course

• Science – 1 half course in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Biomechanics, or Exercise Physiology
  • We do not accept Earth Science, Health Studies, Geography, Geology, or Astronomy courses to fulfill this requirement

English Language Proficiency

Applicant's whose first language is not English and who have not completed a four-year degree at an English language institution, must provide evidence of their English-language proficiency by achieving the minimum required scores, within the last 2 years, on either the TOEFL or IELTS test.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• A minimum overall score of 105 (internet-based) or 620 (paper-based) is required.
• TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western University using TOEFL ID 0984.
• In addition, a copy of the TOEFL test score must be uploaded to the ORPAS application.

The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic)

• A minimum overall score of 7.5 in both the overall and writing section is required.
• IELTS test score must be sent directly to the Master of Physical Therapy Admissions Coordinator (ptadmit@uwo.ca) from the testing agency.
• In addition, a copy of the IELTS test score must be uploaded to the ORPAS application

Casper

In addition to submitting an application through ORPAS, applicants are required to complete an online, video-scenario, situational judgement test called Casper. Casper testing takes place outside of the ORPAS application.

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.

• Learn more about Casper
• Testing Dates
• Casper FAQ

Note: Altus Suit Snapshot or Duet is not required for application to this program.

ORPAS Application System:

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 submitted online. Referees should elaborate on the applicant's unique and exceptional qualities rather than solely discuss the work they completed or contributed to. Based on their experience with the applicant including achievements in academic, extra-curricular, community and/or personal contexts, referees will be asked to provide their perception of the applicant with respect to the following:

• Academic strengths and weaknesses;
• Moral and ethical development;
• Motivation and desire to enter rehabilitation sciences; and
• Ability to relate to people in a compassionate and caring manner. 

Guidance for Reference Letters: Unconscious biases are common; they benefit some individuals and disadvantage others. Unconscious bias within letters of recommendation or reference can contribute to underrepresentation of individuals from equity-deserving groups and can have unintended negative effects on the overall success and career of individuals—especially individuals from equity-deserving groups. To limit the influence of unconscious bias, please consider the following when completing a reference:

• Focus on the applicant and how the applicant demonstrates the qualities listed above.
• Separate how you feel about the applicant from the facts that you know about them.
• Avoid using stereotypical adjectives when describing the applicant’s character, skills, and qualities. For example, try to avoid words such as: nice, kind, agreeable, sympathetic, giving, warm, nurturing, maternal, etc.
• When using superlative descriptors, such as excellent or outstanding, support them with evidence/examples.
• Include personal information about the applicant only if it is directly relevant to the reference.
• Consider whether your letter unintentionally includes gaps, or doubt-raising, negative or unexplained statements, such as ‘might make an excellent leader’ versus ‘demonstrates the qualities of a leader’.

• 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 and will not be accepted.

• The second reference must be completed by a professional who can judge the applicant's performance and interpersonal skills from their perspective as a physical therapist, or someone who supervised the applicant working with individuals with differing abilities.
• References must not be submitted by relatives, friends or family friends.

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

• An explanation of why the applicant has chosen physical therapy as a career, demonstrating their knowledge of the profession and its scope of practice.
• A description of what the applicant will bring to the physical therapy profession (e.g. strengths, experiences, attributes, leadership skills and/or abilities).
• A reflection on how the applicant feels the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization are important in the physical therapy profession
  
  • Applicants who self identify as Indigenous should speak to how their identity will impact their future practice
• The Applicant Statement should elaborate on the applicant's unique and exceptional qualities rather than just their aspirations to become a physical therapist

Evidence of Paid or Unpaid Physical Therapy-related Experiences

• 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 list (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.
• 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

Grade point average (GPA) calculations are completed by ORPAS. Questions pertaining to GPAs should be directed to the MPT Graduate Affairs Assistant at ptadmit@uwo.ca or 519-661-3360.

A calculation of the sub-GPA for admission purposes will be completed based on the final 20 half courses of university academic study (i.e., the equivalent of 10 full courses or 60 credit hours) completed by December 31 of the fall term preceding the application deadline. Summer, part-time, intersession, distance education and undergraduate university courses taken beyond the four-year undergraduate degree are also included. Because the GPA does not include all university undergraduate courses, it is referred to as a sub-GPA.

For applicants currently enrolled in the fourth year of a bachelor's degree program, this calculation starts with the applicant's final fall term grades (completed by December 31) and moves back in chronological order based on the courses listed on the transcript. Where grades must be extracted from a term to achieve the equivalent of 10 full courses, the average of that year (e.g., applicant's second year) will be used.

Cut-off sub-GPA of Top 300 Selected Files for Admission Review

• 2021: 3.84
• 2022: 3.88
• 2023: 3.88

Western does not include marks from the following types of courses in the calculation of an applicant's sub-GPA:

• Graduate degree
• Internship/placement or activity-type courses
• Bachelor of Education
• Certificate or diploma program
• Non-convertible grades (e.g. pass/fall)
• Naturopathic or chiropractice medicine
• Continuing Education programs

Exchange program grades are included in the admission sub-GPA if they are convertible.

Special Consideration

Applicants seeking special consideration for extenuating circumstances that may have affected the competitiveness of their application, may submit a Request for Special Consideration form to the MPT Admission Committee for review. Examples include outdated prerequisites or terms with courses taken part-time or with a lower subGPA, with rationale for why the application may not meet requirements and how the applicant has ensured preparation for the program. All requests will be reviewed on a case- by- case basis. Supporting documentation (medical, personal, academic, etc.) must accompany the requests for special consideration. REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION must be submitted by the application deadline. Send an email to ptadmit@uwo.ca for more information and to receive a copy of the Request for Special Consideration form.

Before accepting an offer of admission to Western's MPT Program, potential incoming students should be aware of the information listed below:

• The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) Program is a two-year, full-time onsite program.
  
  • Incoming students should ensure they are prepared to be a full-time student
• For many laboratory sessions it is useful to wear clothing that allows access to anatomical structures and landmarks (e.g., shorts and t-shirt). However, students are encouraged to wear clothes they are comfortable and can move around in. Students acting as simulated patients may be asked to remove articles of clothing (e.g., socks, shirt), but clothing removal is not a requirement. We ask that all students respect the privacy of their peers and treat simulated patients in the same manner they would treat patients and clients in the community.
• The ability to practice clinical skills in a healthcare program is an integral part of professional training. As a student in a Physical Therapy program, experiencing the interventions you will propose for clients will allow you to better understand the patient perspective. Informed consent to participate in laboratory sessions or assessments will be assumed unless a student states otherwise. However, a student may not be comfortable with some interventions for a variety of reasons and the right to withdraw consent as a simulated patient will always be applied, as this is a fundamental aspect of any Physical Therapy intervention. Students acting as simulated patients can withdraw consent at any time without judgement or bias if they are not comfortable with the proposed practical technique to be performed.
• Comprehensive knowledge of human functional anatomy is considered essential to Physical Therapy practice. Cadaveric anatomy education is a privilege of  body donation programs. The foundational functional human anatomy course in the MPT program requires cadaveric based learning and students must be prepared to participate fully in all scheduled sessions. All students entering the MPT program must be prepared to participate fully in scheduled human cadaver anatomy labs.

Vulnerable Sector Screening

All students admitted to the MPT Program at Western University must obtain and submit documentation of a police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). You may be required to provide this documentation from each country that you have resided in for the past five years. The VSC must include a search of the Pardoned Sex Offender Database and can typically be obtained through your local police department. This is a requirement of the MPT Program and affiliated health care facilities prior to beginning clinical placements.

Conviction of a criminal offence or failure to provide required documentation may affect your ability to start and complete the necessary clinical placements for successful graduation from the MPT program.

Medical Requirements

All medical requirements are mandatory. Students in the MPT Program may be required to care for persons with infectious diseases (including but not limited to hepatitis B, tuberculosis [TB] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] or COVID-19) and they must meet the Ontario Ministry of Labour policies and guidelines for the protection of workers.

If you are accepted into the MPT Program, we will send you documentation regarding mandatory medical and non-medical requirements for completion of clinical placements and other requirements, as specified by the Program. For example:

• Policies
• Immunizations
• The VSC
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for health care providers (CPR-level C only)
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (MCU-WSIB) student coverage
• Infection control

Upon admission, you are required to obtain and provide up-to-date documentation of immunizations, including:

• 2-step TB
• Flu vaccinations
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
• Pertussis
• Poliomyelitis
• Tetanus/diphtheria
• Varicella
• COVID-19

All medical requirements are mandatory. Students in the MPT Program are required to take part in clinical placements in different practice settings, including acute care and rehabilitation hospitals. Students must be aware that at this time, most placement partners, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics, have pre-placement policies for students that include mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Students will be required to be compliant with the policy requirements of our placement partners in order to attend placements in those facilities.

You must update medical and non-medical requirements during the second year of the program. If students are not compliant with these policies, they will not be able to attend the necessary clinical placements and will fail to meet clinical graduation requirements. Students that fail to meet clinical graduation requirements will not be eligible to complete the program.

Students are responsible for any costs incurred to fulfill medical, non-medical and MPT program and clinical site requirements.

• Regulation requires health and safety awareness training for every worker and supervisor under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Under Bill 18, anyone completing an unpaid work term is considered an employee and needs to complete Health and Safety Education Modules. You need to complete safety training modules and submit the following prior to being registered in year 1 of the program:
• Hand Hygiene Module
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Module
• Workplace Violence and Harassment Module
• Privacy and Cyber Security Module
• Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
• College of Physiotherapist of Ontario: Infection Control and Equipment Maintenance Standard
• As verification of completion of these modules, you must submit:
  • Results page from each of the 4 TAHSN eLearning Modules (hand hygiene, WHMIS, workplace violence and harassment, and privacy and cyber security)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training “Certificate of Completion”
  • AODA “Certificate of Completion”
  • Signed copy of the Infection Control Reading page

You may also be required to complete site-specific modules prior to starting an internship course.

Does Western MPT Accept Transfer Students from Other PT Programs?

• Applicants who have already partially completed a Physical Therapy professional degree at another institution may make a request to transfer into Western University's MPT Program.
• Applicants must meet Western University's MPT Program’s admissions criteria, submit an application through the ORPAS website and indicate that they wish to be considered as a transfer student to join the first year of the MPT program on the application.
• Applicants may apply for Special Consideration if the admission criteria are not met.
• Applicants may apply for Advanced Standing for specific courses according to MPT policy, if applicable.

To apply for Special Consideration or Advanced Standing, contact the MPT program. Transfer requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final and not open to appeal.

What accommodation arrangement exists for students on the MPT Program?

Western University provides access to off-campus housing services for graduate students.

Accommodation consists of arrangements that allow a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements. Accessible Education (AE) at Western provides support and services to students with disabilities at Western, including academic and fieldwork accommodations.

Because of the individualized nature of accommodation, students and prospective students are encouraged to meet with an Accessible Education counselor early on to obtain information about specific accommodations and services that may be available to them.

Some academic accommodations, such as those for traditional lecture-based courses, may not be suitable or appropriate when students are completing clinical placements. In such instances, accommodations that are specific and can be operationalized to learning in clinical placement contexts will need to be considered.

Students are also responsible for ensuring academic accommodations are updated each term and are in place early for clinical placements.

Please see the Academic Accommodation page for more information.