Canadian Programs

Dalhousie’s School of Physiotherapy is committed to improving the well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations through our physiotherapy programming, collaborative research and strong community partnerships. We are dedicated to educating physiotherapists and scholars who excel; inspire through research and discovery that advances knowledge and practice; and improve the health and wellness of the diverse communities we serve.

Our degree programs provide education and preparation that can lead to a rewarding career working directly with patients, helping them to regain functionality and mobility, or it can lead to groundbreaking research that can promote healthier lifestyles or changes in therapies and treatments.

The Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT) program at the University of Alberta is an accredited, graduate, professional, entry-level physical therapy (PT) program, and is one of the largest in Canada with approximately 110 students admitted per year.

Housed in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, the MScPT Program is a year-round, full-time program and can be completed within 28 months of study. National entry-level competencies must be acquired in all practice areas (musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurology, oncology, pediatrics, etc.) by the end of the program.

The MScPT Program employs a distributed education model meaning that the MScPT program is taught on two separate campuses using traditional face-to-face instruction, online learning as well as a combination of the two called blended learning. Technology has enabled us to teach physical therapy at multiple centres across the province allowing students to learn closer to home.

MScPT graduates are prepared to meet the current and future challenges of client-centered, evidence-informed, interprofessional practice. They represent tomorrow’s professional leaders.

The MScPT Program graduates entry-level physical therapists with life-long learning skills who will continually monitor and modify their practice to ensure efficacious, cost effective physical therapy care to people of Alberta, Canada and the global community.

The Vision of our School is to Create leaders in rehabilitation practice, scientific innovation and community engagement.

Our Mission: Excellence in teaching and research is the foundation and tradition of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University. The faculty educates professionals and, through research, generates the body of knowledge which guides our professions to advance the health, function and participation of individuals in society. The educational programs apply and promote principles of interprofessional education, evidence-based practice and knowledge exchange with the expectation that students become self-directed, life-long learners.

The School of Physical & Occupational Therapy has built meaningful partnerships between our educators, researchers, the students, clinicians, decision-makers and health service consumers. These partnerships enable us to interweave theory, education, research and practice such that each element informs the other. This collaborative approach ensures that our teaching is evidence-informed and clinically meaningful, that our scientific discoveries are clinically relevant and that our practitioners are scholarly agents of change. Collectively we aim to improve the health and participation of all members of Quebec society through a scholarship of practice model.

The professional Master of Science (Applied) in Physical Therapy is a 63-credit degree program that includes one thousand and twenty hours of fieldwork education over 5 semesters. The educational approach is consistent with adult learning, inspiring self-directed learning and case-based studies of individuals across the lifespan. Strong links between academic and clinical fieldwork education are emphasized throughout the educational program. In addition to fieldwork, course work will focus on client-centred and evidence-based practice in the three core areas of Physical Therapy practice: orthopedics, neurology and cardiorespiratory areas. Courses also cover professionalism, advanced clinical practice, research methodology and health management and education. The master's project is designed to develop research skills and scholarly appreciation of rehabilitation practice and research, management/health care delivery and clinical education.

The School has a remarkable history, marked by a tradition of ongoing innovation and leadership. Our School is one of the oldest in Canada, beginning in 1943 as a program for physical therapists, and evolving into the first Canadian BSc program in Physical and Occupational Therapy in 1954. Our PhD program in Rehabilitation Science, now over twenty years old, was also the first doctoral program in this field in Canada. We have the only Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs in the country with two entry points for admission. Our School now has close to 700 students enrolled in 8 different undergraduate and graduate programs including two on-line graduate certificates.

The Master of Science (MSc) (Physiotherapy) Program at McMaster University is situated within the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The MSc(PT) Program prepares graduates with the entry level requirements to obtain a license to practice physiotherapy in Canada. Our curriculum is developed and modified by faculty who keep themselves apprised of the current evidence, changing trends in health care and physiotherapy practice. We prepare our graduates to be autonomous primary health care practitioners able to design new programs, develop proposals, evaluate outcomes and supervise others in order to provide the best interventions to the clients who we serve.

Our curriculum is based on the principals of problem-based, small group and self-directed learning. There are five academic units and four clinical placements, which occur in multiple health care settings and various practice areas. We have a strong partnership with Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), known as the Northern Studies Stream (NSS), and with 25 years of documented success. The current NSS is focused on providing clinical education opportunities for students across northern Ontario. Our program is recognized for an innovative approach to the instruction of skills and knowledge related to physiotherapy

In collaboration with Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, a dual degree option is available which will lead to a MSc(PT) and a PhD Rehabilitation Sciences. This degree option provides the opportunity to train clinician scientists who will play an important role in linking research and evidence investigation to clinical applications of new approaches in the treatment of health programs.

The Master of Science degree program in Physical Therapy is one of five graduate level degree programs within the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University.

Queen’s University is situated on the territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek. Located on the beautifiul shores of Lake Ontario in the City of Kingston, Queen’s is highly-ranked in Canada for student experience, taking an inclusive approach and offering learning beyond the classroom.

The School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen's University is committed to leading and inspiring positive changes that transform lives through rehabilitation research, education and practice. As part of this commitment, our core mission is to educate occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation scientists who contribute to health and well-being globally through collaboration, creativity, and the discovery of new knowledge.

This mission of the Physical Therapy program is to inspire our learners to excel as competent and compassionate physiotherapists through transformative education, research, student experiences, and collaborative partnerships. Our dedicated faculty and staff demonstrate innovation, citizenship, evidence, respect, and inclusion.

The Physical Therapy program at Queen’s is a 24-month program leading to a professional Master of Science in Physical Therapy Degree. The program is designed to graduate entry-level physiotherapists ready to practice in evolving healthcare system in Ontario or other provinces or territories across Canada.

The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia offers several educational programs including:

Entry-to-practice

• Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)
• MPT/PhD program

Research

• Master of Science in Rehabilitation
• Online Master of Rehabilitation Science
• Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation

Professional Development

• Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy (GCOMPT)
• Online Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation

Exam Preparation/Bridging Program

• Internationally Educated Physiotherapist Exam Preparation Program (IEPEP)

The Master of Physical Therapy program (MPT) is the only fully distributed, entry-to-practice Physical Therapy program in British Columbia. The MPT program offers students the opportunity to study at one of two locations: UBC’s Point Grey Campus or University of Northern British Columbia’s campus in Prince George. MPT-Vancouver and MPT-North cohorts have the opportunity to learn using state-of-the-art facilities.

Major areas of study in the 26-month MPT program include: basic sciences, clinical decision making, clinical practice (with a focus on musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiopulmonary), exercise and movement sciences, and rehabilitation research.

Situated on the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Metis Nation, the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Manitoba aims to meet the changing health and wellness needs of all people by creating and sharing knowledge through excellence in teaching, research, and service.

We are guided by our values of collaboration, accountability, and integrity. Through collaboration, we learn and work in cooperation with students, the University and the broader community. We deliver our program in a responsible and sustainable manner to maintain accountability. We treat everyone with fairness, and respect diversity through ensuring equity of opportunity.

Our program involves an integrated schedule of academic and clinical components that take place over a two year period. Teaching methods ensure close interaction between the faculty and students, with clinicians playing an integral role in delivering the program. Curriculum is adapted and modified to reflect the changing needs of the population, the profession, and the latest evidence base.

We recognize our social responsibility to reflect and respond to a diverse population who are located in urban, rural, and remote areas throughout Manitoba. We are known for the development of and participation in innovative solutions to address healthcare needs in underserviced populations. Our MPT students work alongside other healthcare professional students at the Winnipeg Interprofessional Student-Run Health Clinic (WISH Clinic), and they provide services to people experiencing homelessness through the Saul Sair Health Centre at Siloam Mission.

Our MPT Program prepares students to pursue licensure as entry-level physiotherapists in Manitoba and Canada. The College also houses a MSc Rehabilitation Sciences program and is a partner in the Applied Health Sciences PhD program for those interested in pursuing research-based degrees.

The School of Rehabilitation of the Faculty of the Université de Montréal (province of Quebec) offers education based on the development of professional skills in physiotherapy’s various specific areas of practice. The goal of the undergraduate-masters in physiotherapy continuum program is to train an autonomous physiotherapist that fulfills the requirements set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) and by the national organisation for physiotherapy program accreditation (Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada - PEAC).

Graduating physiotherapists will be ready to practice on the front lines. Graduates can prevent, evaluate and establish a physiotherapy diagnostic and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory systems of people of all ages. By the end of their training, they will be in a position to apply, evaluate and update their professional practice. Our graduates are autonomous and prepared to work in a variety of interdisciplinary clinical contexts. They are healthcare professionals that embody humanitarian values such as equality, respect, openness, independence and tolerance. 

Our educational programs train students to adopt a reflective approach based on evidence and best practices. All of our professors are actively involved in research and differentiate themselves on national and international scales within thematically varied specialized niches. The program relies on a significant number of clinical supervisors trained in internship supervision, who are indispensable partners in our students’ practical training. Our students appreciate the respect and availability of our faculty and the positive atmosphere that prevails at the School of rehabilitation.  

Our training program includes a Bachelor of Health Sciences (physiotherapy: 90 credits) and a professional Master of Physiotherapy (Master of Science [MSc]: 45 credits). Due to their high training standards, our physiotherapists are highly sought after by employers. They have the necessary qualifications to pursue doctoral level research studies or advanced training in physiotherapy or other fields such as microprograms and in-depth professional study degrees. 

The mission of University of Ottawa’s physiotherapy program is to train bilingual physiotherapy professionals able to serve the needs of the francophone population of Ontario and of the other francophone communities of Canada in its bilingual and multicultural contexts, and to promote a high level of excellence in the activities of rehabilitation research and education. 

The program supports a client-centred approach and focuses on integrating evidence-based results obtained through research in clinical decision-making. The program’s conceptual framework is based on the human movement sciences (kinesiology and pathokinesiology) and the clinical sciences and implements the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework as the standard for describing and measuring health and disability.

The MHSc in Physiotherapy program runs over six consecutive terms, i.e., two years of full-time study. Students must complete 60 course units and 1,025 placement hours. These mandatory placements can be done in hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centres in the area of Ottawa or at locations outside the National Capital Region.

Since the mission of the physiotherapy program is to train bilingual professionals capable of serving francophone populations, the program is only offered in French. However, assignments and exams can be written in either French or English. While French is the language of instruction, some clinical placements do take place in French, Bilingual or English settings. Students must therefore also have working knowledge of English.

The School of Rehabilitation Science within the College of Medicine fosters a healthy environment that promotes a positive work experience, life-long learning, and professional pursuits of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science students, faculty, and staff. As part of the University of Saskatchewan, we are situated in the vibrant city of Saskatoon on Treaty Six territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) is its flagship program, governed by the College of Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies and Research (CGPS). The MPT Program is designed to provide the graduate with the entry-level clinical requirements to obtain a license to practice physiotherapy in Saskatchewan and Canada. We currently accept 40 students into the MPT program each year with a program length of 2 years and 6 weeks.

We also train graduates with an entry level degree in other rehabilitation and post-secondary disciplines who wish to pursue advanced research training under a School of Rehabilitation faculty member. Interested applicants are encouraged to consider the M.Sc. and Ph.D in Health Sciences thesis-based graduate program within the College of Medicine.

Please refer to our website for more information.

The School of Rehabilitation’s program is an integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s degree of 144 credits spread out over 4 years. The program shares a joint training structure with the Master’s of Occupational Therapy in order to emphasize an interdisciplinary experience of the field from the very first year of training. 

The program is structured around the seven essential physiotherapy competencies and its mission is to train competent physiotherapists to operate in the contexts of prevention, evaluation and treatment of deficiencies and disabilities related to musculoskeletal function of clients of all ages, by considering their needs and expectations. The program trains students to serve on the front lines in order to establish a clinical diagnosis related to functional disorders in your area of expertise.

The program allows for the active development of these competencies. Our active teaching methods, such as case-based learning will allow you to learn, to find the necessary information to understand a problem, to appropriate it through self-teaching and to consolidate it through peer exchange. Clinical reasoning based learning is another teaching tool used in small groups that emulates clinical cases and the patient care delivery model. The program includes 1190 hours of clinical training. 

Lastly, the Université de Sherbrooke’s Physiotherapy program is committed to the mission of teaching, to research and creation, through the facilitation of diversified learning experiences, the production and transfer of knowledge and the advocacy of critical thinking. 

The Master of Science in Physical Therapy is a twenty-four month professional program leading to entry-to-practice, accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC). Graduates will be eligible to write the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) of the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), which qualifies them to practice physical therapy in Canada. Graduates will be eligible to register in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and the Colleges of Physiotherapy in all Canadian provinces.

The goal of the University of Toronto MScPT Curriculum is to develop highly competent academic practitioners who will consistently demonstrate the essential competencies of a practicing physical therapist in a wide range of settings upon graduation. Central to this goal is the assumption that graduates will be able to gather and analyze evidence, identify professional issues, practice sound decision-making, exercise good judgment and engage in best practices as well as lifelong learning.

Our graduates will practice in unique and complex situations that demand insight and understanding of conflicting values and a variety of ethical stances in social, cultural and organizational contexts. They will develop confidence, competence and ethical sensitivity toward individuals and groups, and demonstrate these attributes in their clinical practice.

To achieve the Curriculum’s goal, our shared educational values of the educators and learners consist of three foundational pillars:

1. Critical thinking,
2. An inquiry mindset and
3. A strong sense of professionalism.

The learning environment will enable learners to: embrace complexity, deal with uncertainty and develop and practice resilience and perseverance. Faculty will develop a teaching environment, utilizing multiple educational strategies, to facilitate learning by modeling these educational values while integrating Clinical and Foundational Sciences, Evidence-Based Practice, Clinical Internships and Professionalism and Interprofessional Education.

The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) is a 2-year program within the School of Physical Therapy at Western and is internationally recognized for excellence, leadership and innovation in Physical Therapy education, practice and research through dedicated clinical, academic and professional partnerships.

We are located in the beautiful forest city of London and we acknowledge the Anishinaabek (Ah-nish-in-a-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ahpay- wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run) peoples, whose traditional lands we gather upon.

Our Mission it to deliver collaborative, case-based and experiential learning opportunities that prepare graduates to master the essential entry-level competencies for Physical Therapy practice in Canada, embrace life-long professional growth, and be leaders in the communities they serve.

Our Vision is that Graduates of the Master of Physical Therapy program at Western are innovative master adaptive learners that are prepared to meet the health and functional needs of Canadians now and into the future.

The Master of Physical Therapy Program is governed by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and it provides the graduate with the entry-level clinical requirements to obtain license to practice physiotherapy in Ontario and Canada. Our curriculum is informed by national and world leading faculty in practice, education and research, to ensure it is contemporary to enable development of the Physical Therapists of the future.

Aiming for excellence and innovation in physical therapy in the fields of education, clinical practice and research through a strong partnership with the educational, community and health care settings, the McGill University Physical Therapy Program, offered as an extension at UQAC, consists of two programs of study, the 90-credit Bachelor of Science (Rehabilitation) and the 62-credit Master Science (Applied) in Physical Therapy. These two programs, offered in French, form a continuum of training. Their successful completion, in compliance with the specific regulations of each program, allows the graduate to register with the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec, and thus, hold the title of Physiotherapist and the related right to practice.

The program’s mission is to develop reflective and collaborative professionals who are skilled in the use of clinical reasoning and scientific evidence. These professionals will be able to optimize the health, function and participation of individuals in society. They will also be able to assume leadership roles in their professional and scholarly activities, including the application of current research to clinical practice.

The Physical Therapy curriculum emphasizes clini­cal reasoning, diagnostics, evidence-based practice, community rehabilitation, teamwork and professionalism as essential compo­nents for the development of a humanistic, ethical, knowledgea­ble, competent critical thinking and problem-solving physical therapist.

Université Laval, the first francophone university in North America, has housed the physiotherapy program since 1965. The program contributes to the development of healthcare by training responsible, competent physiotherapists who promote change and by putting forth and sharing knowledge in a dynamic research and training based environment. It aims to be a model for study programs by allowing its members to fulfill themselves and surpass their boundaries in a stimulating, diverse and respectful institutional context.

The program is a continuum of 146 credits spread out over two academic cycles: the Bachelor's degree in physiotherapy and the Master's degree in physiotherapy. Graduating with a Master's degree in physiotherapy will allow you to become a member of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec, giving you the reserved title of physiotherapist and the ability to practice physiotherapy. The program differentiates itself through its stimulating and diversified training with its different profiles (entrepreneurial, international and research) and orientations (research, world health and sport therapy) that are based on contemporary teaching practices. Its societal involvement and fruitful partnerships are valuable assets in a training program oriented towards sustainable development. The University of Laval’s openness to the world allows the program to offer unique training opportunities thanks to its multiple international partners on the African, Asian and European continents. Its unique multidisciplinary environment makes for more dynamic education and research. 

The fulfilment of all of the program’s activities and goals is actualized through the excellence, engagement, creativity and humanism of all of its community’s members.