Admission Requirements

Approximately 65 to 70 students are admitted annually to the Physical Therapy program. Applicants are selected on the basis of a strong academic record and the assessment of personal experiences and characteristics considered most appropriate for the study of Physical Therapy at Queen's University and the subsequent practice of Physical Therapy.

Applicants must have a four-year baccalaureate degree and a minimum of a second class standing (70%+) from a recognized university.

In addition, applicants must have successfully completed the following prerequisites: a half credit course in human anatomy, human physiology, psychology and statistics and/or research methods,at the undergraduate level. Applicants must earn a minimum grade of B- or (70%) in all prerequisite courses.

In addition to academic achievement applicants must show, through documentation of volunteer work, community service or personal experience, their strong interest in the physiotherapy profession, knowledge of the profession and desire to work with people of all ages and abilities. Two letters of reference and a personal submission (see below) are required. Finally, applicants are required to complete the online CASPer test.

Admissions decisions will be made based on consideration of all of the previously described academic and non-academic elements of the application. Place of residence and undergraduate university are not criteria considered in the selection process.

Academic Requirements

To be eligible for admission, students must first have a four-year baccalaureate degree with a minimum second-class standing (B-) from a recognized university, including prerequisite courses. Applicants must earn a minimum grade of B- or (70%) for all prerequisite courses. Further academic requirements include cum-GPA and sub-GPA cut-off values.

Prerequisite Courses

In order to be considered eligible for admission, applicants must earn a minimum grade of B- or (70%) for all prerequiste courses listed below at the university level:

course in any half year psychology (half year credit),
human anatomy (minimum half year credit),
human physiology (minimum half year credit) and
statistics and/or research methods (half year credit).

In order to adequatley prepare students for the MSc PT program, we require comprehensive content for all prerequisite courses in the 4 foundational subject areas:

Human anatomy: Anatomy courses should be comprehensive, covering gross anatomy of the human musculoskeletal, visceral and neurological systems.
Human physiology: Courses should cover the principles of human physiology, including properties of the living cell and the internal environment; neural, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal and endocrine systems, metabolism, reproduction, and homeostasis.
Statistics and/or Research Methods: Content should prepare students to read, interpret and use research literature to inform clinical decisions. Content should include statistical principles and common methods including descriptive and inferential statistics. This content may be included in a course focused on statistic or a research methods or research design course.
Psychology: Any course in human psychology will be accepted, however, we recommend that students take an introductory psychology course that includes an overview of perception, cognition, learning, motivation and their biological bases; developement, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal (clincial) psychology.

The prerequisites above are the minimum requirements to be considered for a position in our program. Given the importance of human anatomy and human physiology in the practice, we strongly recommend that applicants complete a full course in each of anatomy and physiology.

Prerequisite courses can be taken at any recognized university. These courses may include web-based and distance education courses, as part of your undergraduate degree or as continuing education.

When submitting prerequisites, students should upload the course title, official description and any other information that will allow the reviewer to determine the courses elegibility. If you have any questions about a courses elegibility, our admissions team can review your course by submitting a detailed outline and description to ptadmissions@queensu.ca no later than October 30, 2024.
If you attend an American university, your prerequisites must be reviewed by our admissions team no later than October 30, 2024. All accredited American universities can be found here: http://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/search-results.
All courses must be completed and the transcripts acknowledging completion must be submitted to ORPAS by June 30, 2025.
Applicants who have not completed a degree or prerequisite by the time of application may be granted conditional admissions. Proof of satisfactory completion of the degree or outstanding courses must be provided by June 30 of the year in which a conditional admissions is granted.

Citizenship

We restrict admission to candidates who are Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents (landed immigrants) at the time of application.

Language proficiency

Very good to excellent proficiency in English is required for academic courses and communication in clinical practice settings.

Applicants who have resided in Canada or another English speaking country for less than three years as of the first day of the month of the term in which students are to begin (September of the year you apply) must achieve a satisfactory score on one of the following tests:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score required: 250 for computer-based test; 94 for iBT with scores in the following ranges: Reading – high (22-30); Listening – high (22-30); Speaking – good (26-30); Writing – good (24-30).
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum score required: 7.

Academic requirements

To be eligible for admissions, students must first have a four-year baccalaureate degree with a minimum second class standing (B-) from a recognized university. Students must complete the required prerequisite courses and earn a minmum grade of B- or (70%) in all prerequisite courses. Further academic requirements include a cum-GPA and sub-GPA cut-off values. Students are responsible for ensuring all transcripts are submitted to ORPAS.

Personal submission

Personal Submission Questions: All applicants to Physical Therapy must complete the Queen's Physical Therapy Personal Submission questions through the ORPAS platform. These questions give the applicant the opportunity to demonstrate their background, experience, knowledge and motivation to enter the physiotherapy profession.
Confidential References: In addition, two confidential references are required and considered in the assessment of applicants. One of the confidential references must be from someone holding an academic faculty position in a post-secondary university, who has taught you a course and is qualified to judge your academic ability. Positions such as Teaching Assistant/laboratory coordinator/athletic trainer do not qualify as academic referees. The second confidential reference must be completed by a professional; someone who can judge your abilities and interpersonal skills from a non-academic perspective. It is highly recommended that this be someone from a health care setting such as a physiotherapist, or someone who supervised your work with people who have special needs. Neither of the confidential references can be submitted by relatives or friends. Referees complete their assessment on-line. In addition to completing the form, referees are asked to provide specific comments with respect to the applicant's abilities. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the selected referees submit their assessment on or before the deadline for submission of applications.

The CASPer Test

Altus Assessments (CASPer developer) has released Casper Snapshot, an extension of the Casper Test to help aid in the admissions process. We invite you to complete the CASPer snapshot video as part of your submission. As this is a new tool, we will NOT use it for decision making regarding who will be offered seats in the program for the upcoming admissions cycle. Our evaluators will not view your videos prior to submitting their evaluation for the other components of your application. Despite not using it for decision making, we are interested in evaluating CASPer Snapshot as a potential tool for future use at Queen’s. Your video submission will be used only for evaluation of CASPer Snapshot itself, NOT for evaluation of your application. We appreciate your assistance in our efforts to ensure our future application processes are equitable and effective.

Method of Selection

All applications are first screened for prerequisite requirements and completeness of application. Eligible and complete applications are then assessed based on the academic and non-academic elements described previously.

Academic:
There are two academic considerations: the Cumulative GPA (Cum-GPA), the cumulative converted grade point average for all years of undergraduate university study and the Sub-GPA, the grade point average of the most recent ten full-course credits of undergraduate university education. For the Cum-GPA, the cut-off is set at greater than or equal to 2.89. For the Sub-GPA, the cut-off value is based on the applicant pool for that particular year, and may change from year to year. Typically students entering the Physical Therapy program have a Sub-GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Non-academic components:
The non-academic components include standardized scoring of the applicant’s personal submission questions, the confidential letters of reference, and the CASPer Test Score.
Personal submission questions: as previously described, applicants submit answers to a set of standardized questions as part of the ORPAS application. All applicant submissions are confidentially assessed and scored trained reviewers using a standardized scoring rubric. Each submission is given a final score.
Confidential References: Similarly, each reference is assessed and scored by trained reviewers using a confidential, standardized process.
CASPer Test: As previously described, every applicant completes a CASPer Test and gives CASPer permission to share the score with Queen’s Physical Therapy Program.

Final ranking of applicants for offers and placement on the waiting list includes the both academic components (Cum-GPA and Sub-GPA) and scores on the non-acadmic components (answers to personal submission questions, confidential references, and CASPer Test Score.

Indigenous Candidates

Admission With Advanced Standing

We do not consider program applicants for admission with advanced standing or on a part time basis. All students that we admit to either program must be registered full time for 2 years (24 months).

Disability and Admission to Rehabilitation Therapy

Queen’s University and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students. If you have any questions related to services available, contact Queen’s Student Accessibility Services for more information.

We also encourage you to refer to the Essential Skills and Attributes Required page on the ORPAS website and to reach out to the Admissions Coordinator at Queen’s for any specific questions regarding our programs.

Doctoral Studies in Rehabilitation Science

A limited number of positions are available in the Queen’s University Rehabilitation Science doctoral program for strong students with an interest in research, upon completion of their professional program (MScOT or MScPT).
In these cases, the critical inquiry portion of the Master of Science in OT or PT program may be tailored to allow you to pursue your particular area of research interest, thus better preparing you for doctoral level studies. You would apply to the doctoral program in the final year of your master’s program.
We are also home to the Aging and Health PhD program and the Rehabilitation and Health Leadership DSc program.
The School of Rehabilitation Therapy offers a minimum stipend of $18 000 per year to all of its doctoral students. Further scholarship opportunities are also available. If you are interested in learning more about this possibility, please contact the Graduate Assistant, Rehabilitation Science.
To learn more about future doctoral studies with Rehabilitation Science at Queen's click here.

Additional details

Prerequisite courses may be taken at any accredited university. Most Web-based and distance education courses are accepted. To be considered for admissions, applicants must earn a minimum grade of B- or (70%) in all prerequisites courses.

Prospective applicants may complete summer courses and additional courses outside of their main degree in order to fulfill the pre-requisite requirements.

Applicants who have not completed a degree or pre-requisite requirements by the time of application may be granted conditional admission. Proof of satisfactory completion of the degree and/or outstanding courses must be provided by June 30th of the year in which conditional admission is granted.

No preference is given to applicants who have studied in any particular university program and no preference is shown to applicants with any particular level of training (i.e., undergraduate versus graduate degree). Place of residence and university where studies have been undertaken are not criteria in selection.

At this time, a personal interview is not part of the selection process for applicants to Queen's University Physical Therapy Program.

Offers of admission may be either accepted or declined.

Fees

For information about fees please see the Office of the Registrar web-site at

http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financials/tuition-fees

Awards available to students in the MScPT Program

Queen’s University is committed to support students through a number of bursaries and scholarships. Information about financial assistance and awards can be found on the Queen's University site http://www.queensu.ca/studentawards/home

As each scholarship and bursary have specific eligibility requirements, please check the details of any scholarship for which you intend to apply.

Request for deferrals

The Admissions Committee will not consider requests for deferrals of admission from students except in the case of unique and exceptional circumstances.

Immunization

When you enter any training program in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, you must provide documentation of your:

2 step tuberculin skin test status,
varicella serological status and
immunization history for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio, tetanus and Hepatitis B.

For the Hepatitis B vaccine, you must submit to the School documentation of receipt of all 3 doses by the physician or Health Unit, as well as laboratory evidence of immunity (i.e., positive serology for the antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen 2-3 months post-vaccination [HBsAg]).

Annual influenza and COVID-19 immunization are also required before clinical/fieldwork placements.

Newly admitted students will receive an immunization record by email or mail that must be completed in full.

You are advised to visit your family physician, student health services or public health office to be screened or to enter an immunization schedule. Vaccination occurs at your cost.

For students entering the first year of a rehabilitation therapy program, this documentation is required in the week prior to the start of classes. It is understood that Hepatitis B immunization may not be complete at registration, but all Hepatitis B tests must be in progress and must be completed 3 weeks prior to commencement of the first clinical placement.

Police check

All incoming students must obtain a new Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check. They must update this annually while in the MSc Program.

First Aid

Upon entry to the program, you must also provide a copy of a valid certificate in standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the Health Care Provider (HCP) level. Both certifications must remain current throughout the duration of your enrollment in the program.

How To Apply

Application is made online through The Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Application Service (ORPAS).

The application materials at ORPAS are generally available to applicants in mid-October of each year at www.ouac.on.ca/orpas. The deadline for applications is January for admission the following September. All application materials for entry into the MScPT Program must be submitted directly to ORPAS.

Apply Now

Due to the volume of inquires we receive, email communication is preferred and responses may not be immediate.
For Further Information please contact:

Angela Anthony
Admissions Coordinator
Physical Therapy Program
School of Rehabilitation Therapy
Queen's University
ptadmissions@queensu.ca

ORPAS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Requirements for Admission