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 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 January 15. Students must first contact the School of Physical Therapy to ensure that they meet 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.

Selection for admission is based upon academic performance (i.e. Sessional Weighted Average) and interview performance. The minimum Sessional Weighted Average for admission is 70% (normally calculated using the most recent 60 credit units up to January 15 unless there are less than 60 credit units available in the previous two terms in which case previous term marks will be used. Applicants are ranked according to the Sessional Weighted Average and the top 96 applicants are granted interviews. When computing applicants’ admission scores, the academic average is weighted 60% and the interview score is weighted 40%.

Admissions interviews are scheduled for early to mid March. The admission interview, which is structured in nature, will evaluate desirable non-academic (i.e. personal) characteristics important for success in the health sciences including interpersonal and communication skills, self evaluation, critical thinking skills, ethical decision making, and 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. This certification must be updated annually.

Students enrolled in the School of Physical Therapy must provide evidence of 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.

Aboriginal Applicants

In 1996 a program was approved by the School of Physical Therapy to encourage enrolment by applicants of Aboriginal ancestry. The program is open to Canadian citizens.

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 Indian, Metis or Inuit ancestry must indicate this status when completing the School of Physical Therapy application form (page 1 and page 3). Self identification of Aboriginal ancestry does not exclude applicants from being considered in the general applicant pool, in addition to being considered for one of the designated places for applicants of Aboriginal ancestry.

Essential Skills and Abilities Required for the Study of Physical Therapy

There are considerable physical demands associated with delivery of many physical therapy methods that students will practice and employ.  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.

• must meet Saskatchewan residency requirements (see above)
• four year baccalaureate degree (in any discipline) from a college or university of acceptable standing
• Human Physiology (6 credit units) – PHSI 208.6 or equivalent (note: Students in the 2009-2010 academic year interested in applying for admission to Physical Therapy must register in PHSI 208.6 in lieu of BMSC/BIOL 224.3)
• Statistics (3 credit units) – STAT 245.3 or PLSC 314.3 or equivalent
• Basic Human Anatomy (3 credit units) – ACB 210.3 or equivalent
• Minimum 70% average normally calculated using the most recent 60 credit units of undergraduate study (or equivalent)
• Qualified applicants will participate in an interview.
• Applicants must seek and receive approval for equivalent 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.

Eight courses (21 credit units) concentrating on acquiring foundational knowledge and skills. Includes a one week clinical education experience.

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 992.0 (multi-term)

Seven courses (17 credit units) building on foundational knowledge and skills relevant to physical therapy with emphasis on movement science.

• PTH 805.3
• PTH 815.4 (continued)
• PTH 818.2
• PTH 823.3
• PTH 825.3
• PTH 853.1
• PTH 863.5
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

One clinical education course (4 credit units) consisting of practical experience in a provincial health care facility.

• PTH 852.4
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

Four courses (18 credit units) emphasizing evidence based assessment and management of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions.

• PTH 830.7
• PTH 831.3
• PTH 845.6
• PTH 862.2
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

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

• PTH 832.3
• PTH 833.3
• PTH 847.6
• PTH 865.2
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

One clinical education course (4 credit unit) consisting of practical experience in a Canadian health care facility.

• PTH 854.4
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

Four courses (13 credit units) extending foundational knowledge and skills in physical therapy interventions.

• PTH 829.3
• PTH 834.4
• PTH 839.4
• PTH 841.2
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

One clinical education course (15 credit units) consisting of three 5-week practicums in Canadian health care facilities.

• PTH 856.15
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

Six courses (19 credit units) dealing with advanced topics in professional practice, evidence based practice and management of clinical conditions.

• PTH 835.2
• PTH 838.5
• PTH 848.2
• PTH 855.1
• PTH 864.3
• PTH 867.6
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

One clinical education course (6 credit units) in a health care facility emphasizing increasing independence with complex clinical caseloads.

• PTH 858.6
• PTH 992.0 (continued)

• PTH 992.0 (6 credit units) involving a supervised group experience completed over M.P.T. degree program, ending with a research symposium.

• Residency is expected for the duration of the graduate program.