Master of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy (MHSc)

Why choose occupational therapy

Empowering lives through everyday activities

Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on enabling people of all ages to participate in everyday occupations (i.e., a set of daily activities or tasks) that they need or want to do. OT professionals work in collaboration with individuals or groups to overcome challenges at the level of the person (physical, cognitive, emotional), the occupation, and the environment (physical, social, institutional). This work is pivotal: occupational therapy empowers clients to use their own creative strengths to reinvent their lives and build new autonomy. OT is both an art and a science, emphasizing creative problem-solving and evidence-based techniques to achieve positive outcomes.

Become an agent of change

The Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy program at the University of Ottawa is designed for those dedicated to improving well-being through holistic, evidence-based care. This program offers comprehensive training, hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge to prepare students for impactful roles across various settings. It also emphasizes equitable occupational participation and effective work in bilingual, multicultural environments, which aligns with its mission to serve minority Francophone communities.

“The occupational therapy program is helping me to develop the skills needed to understand the interaction between the person, their environment and their occupations.”

Valérie Boileau

— Student in occupational therapy

What to expect

Comprehensive curriculum: Students will apply principles of professional practice, select and implement therapeutic processes and intervention, and learn how to analyze evidence critically.
Practical experience: Students gain over 1,000 hours of fieldwork placement experience in diverse settings, supported by the CNFS (Consortium national de formation en santé) for Francophone opportunities.
Modern facilities: Students train in advanced labs and simulation rooms that replicate clinical situations.
Dedicated faculty support: Students benefit from mentorship by world-class educators committed to OT research and practice.

students with professor in a lab — Student perspectives

"I truly belong in occupational therapy."

Key subjects covered

Pediatrics

Understand the occupations of children: Learn how the range of occupations that children participate in evolve across successive age periods as their abilities (physical, cognitive, and emotional) develop and contexts change.

Supporting children's well-being and participation: Explore how physical and mental conditions affect the well-being and occupational participation of children and their families in everyday life.

Learn strategies for daily participation of children: Gain skills in developing collaborative relationships with children and their families, conduct a variety of evaluation methods, and carry out a variety of evidence-based intervention approaches.

a therapist helping a woman manipulate two balls

Evaluation and intervention

Learn assessment techniques: Master techniques that leverage knowledge of functional anatomy to assess client needs, evaluate cognitive and physical abilities, analyze occupational and activity performance, and assess the client’s environment.
Plan interventions tailored to the individual: Develop personal intervention plans that enhance the client’s occupational participation, well-being and quality of life.
Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams: Work in interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive, client-centred treatment plans.

therapist helping an elderly man with a task with his hands

Geriatrics

Understand age-related changes: Explore age-related physical, cognitive and emotional changes that affect seniors and their daily occupational participation.
Promote independence and safety: Develop and implement interventions that promote independence, safety and mental well-being in older adults.
Encourage community engagement for seniors: Engage in community outreach projects that focus on enhancing the quality of life for seniors.

Dual fast-track degrees

Not at the graduate level yet? Add a master's degree in occupational therapy to your bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary health sciences or human kinetics, and finish in less time than it would normally take.

Learn more about dual fast-track degrees

The lab is our classroom

a man placing bricks in a simulated environment

The occupational therapy lab at the University of Ottawa provides an immersive, realistic setting that prepares students for real-world practice in client care.

Real-life simulations: The lab includes a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and other household rooms, allowing students to practice essential skills in a lifelike environment.
Integrated learning: All simulated spaces are housed within the main classroom, creating a cohesive environment where theory and hands-on practice intersect.
Focus on client independence: By working in these simulated home settings, students develop skills to meet their clients’ daily living needs and improve the student’s ability to promote independence and enhance quality of life.

Career pathways

Graduates from the MHSc in occupational therapy program are well prepared for a diverse range of rewarding career opportunities. As a graduate, you can pursue roles in:

Hospitals
Rehabilitation centres
Community health settings
Private practices
Long-term care facilities
Academic and research institutions

Fully accredited

The master’s degree in occupational therapy program at the University of Ottawa has completed the accreditation review process administered by the Academic Credentialing Council (ACC) of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) and was awarded accreditation from October 2022 to 2029.

Visit the CAOT website

Consortium National de Formation en Santé (CNFS)

The Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) is a national association of post-secondary institutions that offer educational programs in French for various health-care professions.

The CNFS aims to improve access to health-care services in French in minority language communities by training Francophone health-care professionals and by supporting research related to this training and to the needs of these communities.

Visit the CNFS website

Take the next step

Start your journey in occupational therapy with the essential tools and resources to help you plan your academic path and achieve your goals.

Master of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy

Program overview