Frequently asked questions

Yes, provided you meet all of the admission requirements. Your undergraduate field of study has no bearing on the admissions decision. However, you must have successfully completed the prerequisite courses (or be in the process of completing them). 

Yes. You may apply for admission if you hold a cumulative bachelor’s degree. 

Check the list of courses recognized as equivalent on the individual program webpages. If your courses aren’t on the list, you can request advanced standing. Email us a detailed description or course plan.

Applicants who hold an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy at the time of admission can apply to do the accelerated stream, which leads to a Master’s of Health Science in Occupational Therapy in three terms (one year). This program is offered exclusively to bachelors of occupational therapy who are members in good standing of a professional association of occupational therapists in Canada (or are eligible for membership). For more information, see the admission requirements in the “Admission to the Accelerated Stream” section.

The Audiology, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology programs don’t offer an accelerated stream. 

Yes. We consider admission applications from persons currently taking prerequisite courses or who’ll be completing them in the summer. Applicants are admitted on the condition that they successfully complete the prerequisite courses by August 31. Course options are very limited in the summer. We therefore recommend that prerequisites be completed during the Winter term preceding the start of the program.

You must apply for admission through Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs (ORPAS). 
 
The ORPAS website contains a wealth of useful information, including the steps to apply, important dates, fees and required documents. Read the full ORPAS Application Guide before applying.

Yes. Whether you studied at the University of Ottawa or at another university all documents required for admission applications must be sent through ORPAS. For instructions on how to proceed, see the ORPAS Application Guide. 

No. You don’t need to send letters of recommendation to us for your admission application. We don’t review or return to applicants documents that aren’t required. 

Yes. Even if the grades also appear on the transcript from your university, you must include all of your postsecondary transcripts with your application for admission, including transcripts for courses you took on the basis of a letter of permission, during an international exchange or as a non-degree student.

Yes. You have to resubmit your documents, since applications for admission are processed through ORPAS. If you don’t forward your documents to ORPAS, your file will be considered incomplete and won’t be reviewed. 
 
For instructions on how to submit your documents, see the ORPAS Application Guide. 

The Admissions Committee meets to review the applications for admission submitted by prospective students. Only complete files are considered. You’re responsible for submitting all of the required documents. See the ORPAS Application Guide for more information. 

See the ORPAS important dates.

We can’t disclose your position on the waiting list. The Admissions Committee and senior staff aren’t authorized to discuss applicant files either before, during or after the admissions process. Applicants who contact members of the Admission Committee or senior staff in a bid to influence or pressure them as regards the status of their application will have a negative note added to their file. 

If a place becomes available, we’ll contact you as quickly as possible. We will also let you know once the admission offer rounds are over.

View the program pages.

No. The courses in these programs are offered in French. Clinical placements are completed in French, English and bilingual settings. Some clinical work must be performed in the patient’s (real or simulated) preferred official language. Students in the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy programs can choose to submit their assignments in English or in French. As for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs, students must submit their assignments in French.

Yes. 

The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. 

The Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. 

The Physiotherapy program is accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada.