Physical Therapy

The Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Saskatchewan is a full-time program over two years and six-weeks, and consists of ten modules that include academic course work, and 30 weeks of clinical practicum experiences. The program has been designed to offer students a high quality educational experience that is consistent with national accreditation standards. Students will graduate with the entry-level requirements to obtain a license to practice physical therapy in Saskatchewan and Canada. Initial work expectations of graduates will be, primarily, the provision of direct client care, rather than advanced research and/or administration.

For more information, see the School of Rehabilitation Science website.

Attendance

Students are required to regularly attend all lectures and laboratory periods. Failure to meet these expectations may result in a student being Required to Discontinue the program.

License to Practice

Students are reminded that a Master of Physical Therapy degree does not confer the right to practice physical therapy. The license to practice physical therapy is granted by the licensing body of the province in which one intends to practice.

The national licensing examination is conducted by an external organization, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. The licensing examination is available to physical therapy students graduating from Canadian universities. In most provinces, successful completion of this examination is required to meet licensing requirements.

Courses

School of Rehabilitation Science courses for the M.P.T. are listed in the Course Descriptions section of the Course & Program Catalogue under Physical Therapy (PTH).

Students who have not been accepted into the School of Rehabilitation Science require approval from the course instructor to register in any PTH courses.

Admission

Meeting the admission qualifications does not guarantee admission to the M.P.T. program.

Applicants to the School of Rehabilitation Science must satisfy the following residency qualifications:

1. Applicants applying through the Education Equity Program for Aboriginal students must be Canadian citizens. Proof of aboriginal ancestry is required.
2. Other applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants, and be residents of the Province of Saskatchewan or of the Yukon, Northwest or Nunavut Territories. For information regarding residency requirements, please visit the School of Rehabilitation Science's website or contact the Academic Program Assistant.

The deadline for receipt of applications and all supporting documents is December 15. Students must first complete the online MPT application form available on the School of Rehabilitation Science's website to ensure that they meet residency and admission requirements before applying through the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students from any universities other than the University of Saskatchewan must arrange to have their transcripts forwarded directly to the school. Two copies of an official transcript of final marks for second term courses, which will confirm the awarding of the baccalaureate degree, must be received by May 31 in the year in which application is being made.

Any applicant who may require disability accommodations for the admissions process should be registered with Access and Equity Services and all requested accommodations must be received by the deadline for application (December 15).

Selection for admission is based upon academic assessment (i.e. admission average) and non-academic assessment (ie: CASPer®/personal statement). The minimum admission average that will be accepted is 75%. The admission average is a weighted average calculated using a minimum of 60 credit units. The most recent credit units at the time of application are used.

For the purpose of calculating the admission average, all courses in a given term will be used. The non-academic assessment score (CASPer®/ Personal Statement) is weighted 40% and the academic assessment (admission average) is weighted 60%. The two scores (non-academic assessment and academic assessment) are added for the final admissions score.

Applicants admitted to first year of the Physical Therapy program are required to obtain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) prior to the start of classes in August unless they have obtained such certification within the previous twelve months. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Basic Life Support Health Care Providers (C) designation, or equivalent certification, is required. Students must present evidence of successful completion, and the date of certification of the C.P.R. requirements. This certification must be updated annually.

Students enrolled in the School of Rehabilitation Science must provide evidence of the required immunization status on entry into the program. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a current immunization status according to the guidelines and requirements of the School of Rehabilitation Science.

The Master of Physical Therapy program requires that the students spend time in clinical facilities within the first week of the program. It is imperative that the immunization be up-to-date and that immunization records be filled out and submitted on the first day of classes. Students may be required to obtain additional immunizations, during the student's time in the M.P.T. program, consistent with specific requirements of individual clinical facilities and/or health regions where the student is assigned for a clinical placement. Additional vaccination requirements may include seasonal flu immunization. Students must also be Respirator Fit Mask tested while in the program.

Students are required to complete a specific police/criminal record and vulnerable sector check prior to starting the program, before being accepted for clinical placements in many clinical facilities.

Additional common requirements as preparation for many clinical placements include: additional health, disability and dismemberment insurance, orientation to 'Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System', signed Worker's Compensation Board Work-based Learning Consent and Agreement forms and signed confidentiality agreements.

Education Equity Program

The purpose of this program is to encourage enrolment by applicants of Aboriginal ancestry. The program is open to all Canadian citizens regardless of Saskatchewan residency status.

Each year, 8 positions for admission to the School of Rehabilitation Science are designated for applicants of Aboriginal ancestry who meet admission requirements. To be considered for the Education Equity Program for Aboriginal students, applicants of First Nations, Metis or Inuit ancestry must indicate this status when completing the School of Rehabilitation Science application. Self identification of Aboriginal ancestry does not exclude applicants from being considered in the general applicant pool.

Essential Skills and Abilities Required for the Study of Physical Therapy

To be successful in this intensive program, students must be in good physical and mental health. Any applicant with concerns regarding the essential skills and abilities required should consult with the Director to discuss the physical and cognitive demands required to successfully complete the program and accommodations that are available to students with disabilities.

Admission Requirements

• Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. Acceptable test scores are as follows:
  
  • TOEFL: a minimum of 22 out of 30 in each component with a combined minimum total score of 100
  • IELTS: a minimum score of 7.5 out of 9 in each area and overall
  • Cantest: a minimum of 5 in each area and overall
  • Human Physiology (6 credit units) – CPPS 302.3 (formerly PHPY 302.3) and one of NEUR 301.3, CPPS 303.3 (formerly PHPY 303.3), or NEUR 350.3 or equivalent; or BMSC 207.3 and BMSC 208.3 (formerly PHPY 208.6) or equivalent
  • Statistics (3 credit units) – STAT 245.3 or PLSC 214.3 or equivalent
  • Basic Human Anatomy (3 credit units) – CPPS 310.3 (formerly ACB 310.3) or equivalent

  Program Requirements

  A minimum total of 132 credit units are required to complete this program.

  • PTH 990.0 supports independent and guided learning experiences to support professional development and growth throughout the duration of the program.

  Module I (13 weeks)

  Seven courses (16 credit units) concentrating on acquiring foundational knowledge and skills. Includes a one-week clinical education experience.

  • GPS 960.0
  • GPS 961.0
  • PTH 800.6
  • PTH 801.3
  • PTH 808.3
  • PTH 870.3
  • PTH 850.1

  Module II (12 weeks)

  Seven courses (16 credit units) building on foundational knowledge and skills relevant to physical therapy with emphasis on movement science.

  Module III (5 weeks)

  One clinical education course, PTH 876.5 (5 credit units) consisting of practical experience in a provincial health care facility.

  Module IV (9 weeks)

  Two courses (16 credit units) emphasizing evidence based assessment and management of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions.

  Module V (8 weeks)

  Four courses (14 credit units) building on physical therapy knowledge and skills required for assessment and management of clinical conditions, with a focus on neurological conditions.

  • PTH 806.8
  • PTH 862.2
  • PTH 865.2
  • PTH 877.2

  Module VI (6 weeks)

  Four courses (16 credit units) extending foundational knowledge and skills in physical therapy interventions.

  • PTH 829.3
  • PTH 871.6
  • PTH 839.4
  • PTH 874.3

  Module VII (12 weeks)

  Two clinical education courses (6 credit units) consisting of practical experience in a Canadian health care facility.

  *Note: This course will conclude in Module IX, where all 12 cu will be awarded upon successful completion.

  Module VIII (11 weeks)

  Six courses (26 credit units) dealing with advanced topics in professional practice, evidence-based practice, and management of clinical conditions.

  • PTH 872.3
  • PTH 873.9
  • PTH 875.3
  • PTH 879.2
  • PTH 864.3
  • PTH 867.6

  Module IX (12 weeks)

  Two clinical education courses (18 credit units) consisting of practical experience in a Canadian health care facility.

  Residency Requirements

  Residency is expected for the duration of the graduate program.