Website: School of 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, 30 weeks of clinical practicum experiences and a supervised research project. 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.
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.
Standards of Academic Performance
1. Academic Standards
a. The grade required to pass a graduate course is 60%.
b. A cumulative weighted average of 70% is required to meet graduation requirements.
2. Monitoring Academic Progress
a. Academic progress will be monitored by the student’s advisor and by the Director of the School of Physical Therapy. Progress in Clinical Practice courses will be monitored by the Academic Coordinator Clinical Education and results reported to the student’s advisor and to the Director of the School of Physical Therapy.
b. If at any time progress is unsatisfactory, the Director will report to the School of Physical Therapy Academic Affairs Committee who will consider and recommend appropriate consequences.
c. The Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research will be notified and consulted in determining the consequences of unsatisfactory progress.
3. Promotion and Graduation
a. Faculty Council of the School of Physical Therapy will review recommendations from the School of Physical Therapy Academic Affairs Committee and make recommendations to the College of Graduate Studies and Research regarding promotion and graduation.
4. Promotion Points
a. End of Module II
b. End of Module VIII
c. End of Module X
5. Unsatisfactory Performance
a. If at any time, progress in any course(s) or the program overall is unsatisfactory, the Director will report to the School of Physical Therapy Academic Affairs Committee. The options which could be invoked include any of the following (singly or in combination): supplemental examination, a remedial course, delay Clinical Education Placement or Course, requirement to discontinue.
b. Before proceeding with any of the above options, appropriate notification and approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research will be provided/obtained as needed.
c. As the M.P.T. program schedule may not allow sufficient time to prepare for a supplemental exam or take a remedial course, delays and disruptions to the normal timeline for completion of the M.P.T. may be required.
d. Remediation – Any remediation will be considered within the context of the student's entire program. It may be necessary to delay a clinical practicum or the start of a subsequent Module if the student has not successfully passed all components of the previous Module. Remediation decisions will be made by the School of Physical Therapy Academic Affairs Committee in consultation with individual faculty members teaching the course(s).
Standards of Academic Performance - Clinical Education
1. The requirements of the five clinical practice courses must be successfully completed in the correct sequence: PTH 850.1, PTH 852.4, PTH 854.4, PTH 856.15, PTH 858.6. Since the program schedule does not normally allow time for extending clinical courses time, repeating clinic courses or undertaking significant remedial work, if such actions are required, the time normally allocated for PTH 852.4 will firstly be used for completing a deficiency in PTH 850.1. Any remaining time required for PTH 852.4 will be completed in the time allocated for PTH 854.4. Any remaining clinical time consequently remaining for PTH 854.4 will be completed in the time allocated for PTH 856.15. Any remaining clinical practice time required for PTH 856.15 will be completed in the time allocated for PTH 858.6. Any remaining clinical time required for PTH 858.6 will be completed following the completion of all other course requirements in the MPT.
2. The grading of the clinical practice courses, PTH 850.1, PTH 852.4, PTH 854.4, PTH 856.15, and PTH 858.6 will be Pass or Fail as determined by the application of the School of Physical Therapy standardized Pass/Fail clinical practice courses grading criteria for the final evaluation, the American Physical Therapy Association – Clinical Performance Instrument (APTA-CPI), which is completed at the end of each clinical practice course and each clinical placement.
3. A student who receives a grade of Fail in any one of the following clinical courses, PTH 850.1, PTH 852.4, PTH 854.4 or PTH 858.6 will usually, at a minimum, be required to repeat the failed clinical course and this will be considered a 'remedial' clinical course.
4. A student will usually be required to complete a minimum of one complete repeat clinical placement of remedial work if, in PTH 856.15, a grade of Fail is received in any one clinical placement.
5. A student will usually be required to repeat, at a minimum, a complete course in PTH 856.15, if one of the following circumstances applies:
a. failure in two clinical placements, or
b. failure in a placement after a period of specified remedial work and/or remedial clinical placement.
6. A student who receives a failure in two clinical placements will usually be recommended to be Required to Discontinue the MPT program.
7. Under normal circumstances, a student who receives a grade of Fail in a subsequent clinical course or placement of PTH 852.4, PTH 854.4, PTH 856.15, and PTH 858.6, after having failed a previous clinical course or placement, or after having passed a previous remediation clinical course or placement, willl be Required to Discontinue the MPT program for either a specified period or without option of re-entry. A student who receives a Fail in two clinical placements in PTH 856.15, after receiving a Fail in a previous clinical course or placement, will usually be Required to Discontinue from the MPT program.
Courses
School of Physical Therapy 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 Physical Therapy require approval from the course instructor to register in any PTH courses.
Total minimum credit units required: 138 which includes completion of a major project and participation in research symposium
Admission
Meeting the admission qualifications does not guarantee admission to the M.P.T. program.
Applicants to the School of Physical Therapy 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 Physical Therapy 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 Physical Therapy website to ensure that they meet residency and admission requirements before applying through the College of Graduate Studies and Research. 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 Disability Student Services and all requested accommodations must be received by the deadline for application (December 15).
Selection for admission is based upon academic performance (i.e. admission average) and interview performance. The minimum admission average that will be accepted is 70%. 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. Applicants are ranked according to the admission average and the top 96 applicants are granted interviews. When computing applicants’ total admission scores, the admission average is weighted 60% and the interview score is weighted 40%.
Admissions interviews are scheduled on one weekend day in early to mid March. The admission interview, which is structured in nature, will evaluate interpersonal and communication skills, self evaluation, critical thinking skills, ethical decision making, and general knowledge of health care.
Any appeal related to admission status should be forwarded, in writing, to the School of Physical Therapy Admissions Committee. Grounds for appeal of an admission decision are limited to (1) unit procedural errors, or (2) evidence that information used in the decision process was wrong or incomplete. Failure by the applicant to provide accurate and complete information is not grounds for any appeal.
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 Physical Therapy 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 Physical Therapy.
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 now commonly required to complete a specific police/criminal record check and vulnerable sector check, 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, 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, five positions for admission to the School of Physical Therapy 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 Physical Therapy 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
- must meet Saskatchewan residency requirements unless applying under the Education Equity Program (see above)
- four year baccalaureate degree (in any discipline) from a college or university of acceptable standing
- Human Physiology (6 credit units) – PHPY 302.3 and one of PHPY 301.3, PHPY 303.3, or HSC 350.3 or equivalent.
- Statistics (3 credit units) – STAT 245.3 or PLSC 214.3 or equivalent
- Basic Human Anatomy (3 credit units) – ACB 310.3 or equivalent
- Minimum 70% average normally calculated using the most recent minimum 60 credit units of university course work
- Qualified
applicants will be ranked according to academic standing in the most
recent minimum 60 credit units and 96 will be granted an interview.
- Applicants
should check the list of Approved Prerequisite Courses for the MPT
available on the School of Physical Therapy website. If course
equivalencies are not listed, applicants must seek and receive approval
for equivalent pre-requisite courses from the Admissions Committee. For
further information, students should consult the Academic Program
Assistant at the School of Physical Therapy. Applicants should
supplement in-person or telephone admission enquiries with written/email
enquiries. Only written/email responses to enquiries will be accepted
as evidence of the official advice given by the School of Physical
Therapy.
- Students should check the School of Physical Therapy web site regularly for updates to the Admissions process.
Module I (16 weeks)
Eight courses (21 credit units) concentrating on acquiring foundational
knowledge and skills. Includes a one week clinical education experience.
Degree Requirements
Students must maintain continuous registration in the 992 course.
- PTH 808.3
- PTH 815.4 (multi-term)
- PTH 822.5
- PTH 840.3
- PTH 850.1
- PTH 851.1
- PTH 860.2
- PTH 861.2
- PTH 992.6 (multi-term)
- GSR 960.0
- GSR 961.0
Module II (13 weeks)
Seven courses (18 credit units) building on foundational knowledge and
skills relevant to physical therapy with emphasis on movement science.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 805.3
- PTH 815.4 (continued)
- PTH 820.3
- PTH 823.3
- PTH 825.3
- PTH 853.1
- PTH 863.5
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module III (4 weeks)
One clinical education course, PTH 852.4 (4 credit units) consisting of practical experience in a provincial health care facility.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 852.4
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module IV (9 weeks)
Four courses (18 credit units) emphasizing evidence based assessment and
management of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory
conditions.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 830.7
- PTH 831.3
- PTH 845.6
- PTH 862.2
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module V (6 weeks)
Four courses (14 credit units) building on physical therapy knowledge
and skills required for assessment and management of clinical
conditions.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 832.3
- PTH 833.3
- PTH 847.6
- PTH 865.2
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module VI (4 weeks)
One clinical education course, PTH 854.4 (4 credit unit) consisting of practical experience in a Canadian health care facility.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 854.4
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module VII (6 weeks)
Four courses (13 credit units) extending foundational knowledge and skills in physical therapy interventions.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 829.3
- PTH 834.4
- PTH 839.4
- PTH 841.2
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module VIII (15 weeks)
One clinical education course, PTH 856.15 (15 credit units) consisting of three 5-week practicums in Canadian health care facilities.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 856.15
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module IX (12 weeks)
Six courses (19 credit units) dealing with advanced topics in
professional practice, evidence based practice and management of
clinical conditions.
Degree Requirements
- PTH 835.2
- PTH 838.5
- PTH 848.2
- PTH 855.1
- PTH 864.3
- PTH 867.6
- PTH 992.6 (continued)
Module X (6 weeks)
One clinical education course, PTH 858.6 (6 credit units) in a health care facility emphasizing increasing independence with complex clinical caseloads.
Degree Requirements
Major Project
Degree Requirements
PTH 992.6
(6 credit units) involving a supervised group experience completed over
M.P.T. degree program, ending with a research symposium.
Residency Requirements
Residency is expected for the duration of the graduate program.
