Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Faculty Affiliation

Medicine

Degree ​P​rograms

Occupational Therapy

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specialization is available to students in the participating degree program as lis​ted below:

1. ​​​Women's Health

• Occupational Therapy, MScOT

Overview

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is committed to providing graduate and continuing education programs that enable occupational therapists to be leaders in research, clinical practice, and the promotion of health and well-being. Core and clinical faculty members provide dynamic, evidence-based, and comprehensive instruction and mentorship. Graduates are innovative professionals focused on enabling occupation and enhancing health and well-being. 

Contact and Address

Web: www.ot.utoronto.ca
Email: ot.reception@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 946-8571
Fax: (416) 946-8570

Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
University of Toronto
Room 160, 500 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V7
Canada

​Master of Science in Occupational Therapy​

Program Description

The MScOT program prepares students in advanced academic and professional knowledge and applied research skills for leadership in occupational therapy practice. The program emphasizes the application of theory and research evidence to clinical practice through rigorous studies in occupational therapy and research production and utilization.

Graduates are eligible to write the certification examination of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, a requirement for registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and most other professional regulatory colleges in Canada. Practice in another country generally requires the graduate to pass the licensing requirement specific to that country. Graduates are eligible to:

1. practise independently in a variety of roles, such as consultants and case managers, and in a range of settings, such as acute care, interdisciplinary programs, private practice, and primary health care;

2. supervise rehabilitation assistants, OT aides, or other support workers;

3. use principles of research-based practice to guide and evaluate service delivery;

4. contribute to research that will advance the knowledge base of the discipline;

5. assume management roles;

6. take leadership roles in the profession;

7. take leadership roles in health care and other sectors including social services, education, and labour;

8. fill academic-practitioner positions; and

9. pursue doctoral studies and careers in academia or clinical research.

The MScOT program is offered as a two-year full-time program and a one-year, advanced-standing part-time option.

MScOT Program (24-Month Full-Time)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with high academic standing and a mid-B average or better in the final year of study.

• To determine initial ranking only, the department will review the last 10.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) completed at the undergraduate level by the application deadline.

• Apply online using the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS). Applications are accepted around October each year, with a deadline near the end of December or early January. Exact deadlines are posted on the ORPAS website and in the ORPAS Instruction Booklet.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction is not English must provide proof of English proficiency by March 1 of the year of application. See General Regulations, section 4.3 English-Language Proficiency in this calendar for general information and acceptable tests. The department strongly prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and requires a minimum score of:​​

  • ​​​600 on the paper-based test, accompanied by a minimum score of 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test with 22/30 on the speaking section and 22/30 on the writing section.

  TOEFL candidates should request that results be sent to institution code 0982.

• Visit the Occupational Therapy and ORPAS websites for additional information regarding application document submissions (e.g., confidential assessment forms, resumé, personal statement submission).

Program Requirements

• The MScOT is a two-year, 24-course (18.0-FCE) program of continuous, full-time study.

• Students begin their studies in September and complete six consecutive sessions, with a range of four to six concurrent courses in each session.

• There are four full-time block fieldwork components within the program of study.​

Program Length

6 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years​

MScOT Program (12-Month, Advanced-Standing Part-Time Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from a recognized university with high academic standing and a mid-B average or better in the final year of study.

• Applicants must be registered, or eligible for registration, for independent practice as an occupational therapist in Canada with a provincial regulating body.

• Apply online using the SGS online application system. Applications are accepted approximately in mid-February each year, with a deadline approximately at the end of March (subject to change).

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction is not English must provide proof of English proficiency by March 1 of the year of application. See General Regulations, section 4.3 English-Language Proficiency in this calendar for general information and acceptable tests. The department strongly prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and requires a minimum score of:

  • ​​​600 on the paper-based test, accompanied by a minimum score of 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test with 22/30 on the speaking section and 22/30 on the writing section.

  TOEFL candidates should request that results be sent to institution code 098​2.

• ​Visit the Occupational Therapy website for additional information regarding application document submissions (e.g., reference letters, resumé, personal statement submission).

Program Requirements

• The advanced-standing option is a three-consecutive-session, part-time program of study beginning in September. Students must complete 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs).

• Students complete the advanced-standing option in an online environment with a mandatory one-week, on-campus residency.

• For more information about the application process, tuition, and supervision, etc., please visit the website​.

Required Courses

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Program Length

3 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years

^​0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.