Master of Health Sciences Physiotherapy

Summary

• Degree offered: Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)
• Registration status option: Full-time
• Language of instruction: French
• Program options (expected duration of the program):
  • with coursework (6 full-time terms; 24 consecutive months)
  • with coursework and research paper (6 full-time terms; 24 consecutive months)
• Academic units: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Program Description

Physiotherapy is a self-governing profession that promotes fitness, health and wellness. The profession provides frontline client-centered healthcare services to help clients maintain and improve their functional independence; and prevent and manage pain, physical limitations, disabilities, and limits to participation in their activities (Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 2000). The goal of the physiotherapy program is to train bilingual physiotherapists who can serve francophone clients in Ontario and French-speaking communities across Canada and to foster excellence in research and teaching.

The program supports a client-centered approach and focuses on integrating evidence-based results from research on clinical decision-making. The conceptual framework of the program is based on the human movement sciences (kinesiology and pathokinesiology) and the clinical sciences and incorporates 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 take place in Ottawa-area hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centres or at locations outside the National Capital Region.

The program follows the national physiotherapy curriculum guidelines established by the Canadian Council of Physiotherapy University Programs. Upon completing their education, graduates who wish to register with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario must successfully complete the Canadian physiotherapy competency examination (Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators).

Since the mission of the physiotherapy program is to train bilingual professionals able to serve 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, however, take place in French, Bilingual and English settings. Students must therefore have a working knowledge of English.

Consortium National de Formation en Santé (CNFS)

The CNFS is a pan-Canadian organization funded by Health Canada. It brings together eleven post- secondary institutions offering programs of study in French in various health disciplines. It provides students of Francophone minority communities with improved access to health-related study programs. The CNFS allowed the addition of additional physiotherapy places for Francophones from provinces other than Quebec and Ontario. Students welcomed by the CNFS are encouraged to return to their home province to do their clinical rotations.

Other Programs Offered Within the Same Discipline or in a Related Area

• Master of Health Sciences in Audiology (MHSc)
• Master of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology (MHSc)
• Master of Health Sciences in Occupational Therapy (MHSc)
• Doctorate in Philosophy Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)

Fees and Funding

• Program fees:

The estimated amount for university fees associated with this program are available under the section Finance your studies.

International students enrolled in a French-language program of study may be eligible for a differential tuition fee exemption.

• To learn about possibilities for financing your graduate studies, consult the Awards and financial support section.

Notes

• Programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Program Contact Information

Academic Office, Faculty of Health Sciences
125 University Private, Room 242
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 6N5

Tel.: 613-562-5853
Toll free: 1-877-868-8292, ext. 5853
Email: healthsc@uOttawa.ca

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For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have an honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum average of B (70%) calculated according to the graduate studies guidelines.

Note: International candidates must check the admission equivalencies for the diploma they received in their country of origin.

• Have successfully completed six (6) course units in anatomy, including 3 units in general anatomy or human physiology (e.g., ANP 1105 or equivalent) and 3 units in musculoskeletal anatomy (e.g., ANP 1106 or equivalent). 
• Have successfully completed three (3) course units in human psychology.
• Have successfully completed three (3) course units in research methodology or statistics.
• Have completed a Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer).¹

Language Requirements

Candidates must be proficient in written and spoken French and must have a working knowledge of written and spoken English. In order to assess these language skills, French and English tests are required. 

Note(s)

• Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.
• To help students obtain a passing grade in their bilingual clinical placements, the School of Rehabilitation Sciences offers an English conversation course (REA 5940). This course may be recommended or required according to the applicants’ language competencies.
• If deemed necessary, an English or French course could be added to the program of study at the time of admission and would be considered a program requirement.

Notes

• The admission requirements listed above are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.
• Admissions are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
• Prerequisite courses must have been completed within six years of the application.
• Equivalencies for admission prerequisites may be verified with the Academic Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.