Admission

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

Admission Requirements

Updated August, 2026

To be eligible for admission, students must have a four-year baccalaureate degree with a minimum second-class standing (minimum B average) from a recognized university.

General Requirements for Admission

Citizenship

Admission is restricted to candidates who are Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents (landed immigrants) prior to the closing date for receipt of applications.

The language of instruction and clinical learning is English. 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 must achieve a satisfactory score on one of the following tests:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score required: 94 for Internet-based test (iBT) with scores in the following ranges: reading-high (22-30); listening- high (22-30); speaking- good (26-30); writing- good (24-30).
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) - minimum score required: 80.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum score required: 8.

Admission With Advanced Standing

There is no advanced standings track to admissions.

Interest in future Doctoral Studies

Students in the final year of the MScOT program may apply for admission to one of the School of Rehabilitation Therapy's doctoral programs.

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.

Indigenous Candidates

Immunization

Due to the clinical nature of our programs and the fact that students will participate in clinical learning at placement sites in the region, students entering any training program in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, are required to provide documentation of immunizations. Students must verify of their two-step tuberculin skin test status, varicella serological status and immunization history for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio, tetanus and hepatitis B. Annual influenza immunizations are also required for all students prior to clinical/fieldwork placements.

Students offered admission to the OT program will receive an immunization record that must be completed prior to commending their program. Students are advised to visit their family physician, student health services or public health office to be screened or to enter an immunization schedule. Vaccination occurs at the student's cost. For students entering the first year, this documentation is required no later than one 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 three weeks prior to commencement of the first clinical placement.

No screening is performed for infection with HCV or HIV. At this time, expert opinion and current evidence does not support the necessity of such screening. Students who self-report infections with these viruses will be considered by an advisory committee.

Upon entry to the program, students are also required to 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 the student's enrolment in the program.

Criminal Record Check

All incoming students will be required to obtain a new criminal record check (CRC), including vulnerable populations. The CRC must indicate a negative (or clear) result for all records and offences. This must be updated annually while in the MScOT Program.

Accreditation Status

The MSc (OT) Program is accredited by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).

Selection Factors

Up to seventy-two students are admitted annually to the Master of Science in Occupational (MScOT) Therapy program. Applicants are selected on the basis of a strong academic record and the assessment of personal characteristics considered most appropriate for the study of occupational therapy at Queen's University and the subsequent practice of these professions.

Academic Requirements for Admission

The minimum academic requirement for admission is a second-class standing at a four-year baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a recognized university. Applicants who have completed additional or higher level degree training are considered along with other applicants.

Supplementary Materials

All applicants to Occupational Therapy must submit a Statement of Intent (see “Personal Submissions”, which consists of two questions to be completed in the online application.)
Two Confidential Assessment forms are considered in your assessment. One Confidential Assessment Form must be completed by someone who holds an academic position in a postsecondary university or college and is qualified to judge your academic ability. Positions such as teaching assistant, laboratory coordinator or athletic trainer do not qualify as academic referees. The second Confidential Assessment Form may be either academic or professional and should be completed by someone who can judge you on your work performance, interpersonal skills and suitability for studies in occupational therapy. Neither of the Confidential Assessment forms may be submitted by relatives or friends.
A resumé is required. Resumés must be typed in 11‑point font, on 8.5" x 11" paper, single‑sided, with one‑inch margins on all four edges. They should be no longer than two pages and should include your name on the resumé. Upload resumé directly to your ORPAS application.

Method of Selection

The first cut-off is based on the cumulative converted grade point average for all years of undergraduate university study. The actual cut-off mark is based on the applicant pool, but typically students entering the Occupational Therapy program have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4-point scale.

The second stage of the selection process involves the assessment of the candidate's Confidential Reference Forms, Resumé and Statement of Intent. Instructions for completing the Personal Submission Statements Letter can be downloaded from the ORPAS application or from www.ouac.on.ca/orpas/ The Statement of intent should demonstrate an informed career decision and the strengths, experiences, and abilities that the candidate would bring to the profession.

Candidates will be ranked for offers and placement on the waiting list using all assessment criteria.