ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ

Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree (120 credits hours) or equivalent in any field of study granted by a university of recognized standing.

The School of Occupational Therapy invites applicants from various academic backgrounds to apply for the MSc(OT) program.  

The GPA required for admission is calculated based on the last 60 credit hours of the undergraduate degree.  The minimum GPA is 3.0 (on a 4.3 scale), or letter grade of B.

Applicants are required to have successfully completed the following two pre-requisite courses:

1. Human Anatomy:  3 credit hours, taken at a recognized post-secondary institution equivalent to ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University’s ANAT 1010.03 with basic content on:

• Cells, tissues, and development
• Skeletal and muscular systems
• Integumentary, nervous, and cardiovascular systems
• Digestive, respiratory, renal, and reproductive systems

    To confirm that your course meets the Anatomy prerequisite, please submit a syllabus or course description for review to otadmissions@dal.ca. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
Note: A combined Anatomy and Physiology course must be at least 6 credits to satisfy the requirement of 3 credits in Anatomy. A 3-credit combined course will not meet the Anatomy requirement. 

2. The Social Science pre-requisite: 3 credit hours taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, including basic content on (but not limited to):

• Social justice
• Gender and sexuality
• Law and ethics
• Critical perspectives and theories
• Disability
• Community and economic development
• Indigenous history and culture
• Race and ethnicity
• Writing skills and development of persuasive arguments

To confirm that your course meets the Social Science and Humanities prerequisite, please submit a syllabus or course description for review to otadmissions@dal.ca.

3. TWO CONFIDENTIAL ACADEMIC REFERENCE LETTERS

These letters are required to be from academics familiar with your work (university or college instructors who taught academic courses and evaluated your performance) but may be replaced with relevant professional references. Professional references can be submitted according to the following guidelines:

• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree within the past 3 years: 2 academic references.
  
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree 3 to 5 years ago: a) 1 academic reference and 1 relevant professional reference, or b) 2 academic references.
  
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree more than 5 years ago: a) 2 relevant professional references, or b) 1 academic reference and 1 relevant professional reference, or c) 2 academic references. 

These letters are required to be from academics familiar with your work (university or college instructors who taught academic courses and evaluated your performance) but may be replaced with relevant professional references. Professional references can be submitted according to the following guidelines:

• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree within the past 3 years: 2 academic references.
  
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree 3 to 5 years ago: a) 1 academic reference and 1 relevant professional reference, or b) 2 academic references.
  
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree more than 5 years ago: a) 2 relevant professional references, or b) 1 academic reference and 1 relevant professional reference, or c) 2 academic references. 

English is the language of study at ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University; therefore, all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission. Canadian applicants who attended a high school and university where French is the language of instruction must provide proof of English proficiency. ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University accepts several different English proficiency test scores:

• Enter the email addresses of your two Confidential Academic Referees. 
• Upload unofficial transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions, including any Universities attended on exchange or letter of permission. 
• Pay the application fee. 

NOTE: Transcripts (in-progress or final) cannot be updated once they have been uploaded to the application portal. If you need to submit an updated transcript, please email it to otadmissions@dal.ca, and our office will upload it for you. 

Please pay special attention to the 2 Confidential Academic Reference Letters. Check this well in advance of the deadline and, if necessary, re-send the request to your referees. Check questions #6 and #7 for details on how to send a reminder to your referees and how to remove/add referees.  

As mentioned in Step 1, if you were taking any courses (in progress) at the time of your application, you will not be able to upload them to the application portal. You must submit your transcript with all final grades by email to otadmissions@dal.ca no later than June 15. Transcripts must include all courses,including in-progress courses. 

1. What is the application deadline? &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• December 31: Deadline to complete the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University Admissions Application, upload transcripts & pay the application fee. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
  
• January 31: Deadline to receive 2 Confidential Academic Reference Letters and upload (if applicable) proof of English language proficiency. 

2. How is admission to the MSc(OT) program determined?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Each September, the enrolment of 68 students is determined through a competitive ranking evaluation process. Admission is based on: 

• The applicant’s GPA (minimum of 3.0) calculated on the last 60 credit hours of study in their bachelor’s degree.  
• Two Confidential Academic letters of reference. 
• Successful completion of Human Anatomy (3 credit hours) and Social Science and Humanities (3 credit hours) pre-requisites. 
• Province of residence.  
• Equitable admissions policy.  
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  3. Can I still apply if I am currently completing my fourth year of study, taking pre-requisite or up-grading courses at the time of the application deadline? &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
   
  Yes. You may still apply if you are able to provide a final transcript with your final grades and your awarded degree by June 15. Please note that the Winter term is the last term in which applicants may complete prerequisite or upgrading courses or finish their undergraduate degree. 
   
  4. Can I take extra courses to upgrade my GPA?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
   
  Yes. To be included in the GPA calculation, upgraded courses must be 3rd and 4th year university level courses. A maximum of 5 courses (15 credit hours) can be used for upgrading. The remaining 45 credit hours will be taken from the student’s bachelor’s degree. Grades obtained from courses taken after your four-year degree will replace your earliest grades (typically those from the first term of 3rd year). It's a good idea to review your transcript to see what grades you received in that term to determine whether upgrading would be beneficial. 
   
  5. Who can provide reference letters?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
   
  For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree within the past three years: Two academic references. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree three to five years ago: a) one academic reference and one relevant professional reference, or b) two academic references. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree more than five years ago: a) two relevant professional references, or b) one academic reference and one relevant professional reference, or c) two academic references. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Academic references can be provided by university or college instructors who taught academic courses and evaluated your performance. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
6. My referee hasn't submitted my reference letter yet. Can I send them a reminder?  

Yes. Go to the student status portal and click on "recommendation page" under the Application Checklist. Click on the referee's name and you will be able to send a reminder. 

7. My referee won't be able to submit a reference anymore. How should I proceed? 

Go to the student status portal and click on "recommendation page" under the Application Checklist. Click on the referee's name and you will be able to exclude them from your list. 
Click on "Add Recommender" to add your new referee's information. 
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8. What do you mean by resident of Atlantic Canadian provinces?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
Your province of residence corresponds with where you would apply for a government student loan. An applicant is considered a resident of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, if they have lived and/or worked in the Province for at least the twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the deadline for admission (January 31), excluding time spent as a full-time student at a post- secondary institution.  We might ask for proof of residence to validate the information provided. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
 
9. What priority is given to applicants who are residents of Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces?   
 
Residents of the four Atlantic Canadian Provinces will be given priority consideration in the competitive ranking of applicants. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
 
10. Does the School have an Equitable Admissions policy?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
Yes. Consistent with requirements of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University Faculty of Health Equitable Admissions Policy, the School of Occupational Therapy is committed to improving the representation of people of Aboriginal/Indigenous ancestry (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), members of racialized groups, Acadians, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the program. Applicants who self-identify as members of these groups, and who meet the minimum application requirements, will be given preference in admissions. If you belong to one of these groups, you have the option to voluntarily provide this information about yourself. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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11. What should I do if I require accommodations for a disability?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
Students who request accommodations for a disability are required to be registered with the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ Student Accessibility Centre. You may contact them by: Telephone: (902) 494-2836 or by email: access@dal.ca Also see: Academic Support.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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12. Is there an interview with the application process?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
No. There is no interview in the MSc(OT) Entry Level Program application process . 
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13. May I call the School of Occupational Therapy (SOT) to find out about the outcome of my application?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
No. To ensure privacy of information, the School is not able to provide specific information on each individual application or its status. All correspondence to applicants regarding the status of their application (admission offer, waitlisted, or ineligible) will be sent by the School directly to the candidate through the email address provided on the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University Admission Application once the Admissions Committee has completed the evaluation process. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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14. Can applicants on the admissions waitlist learn their ranking? &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
No. Applicants are not provided with a specific ranking on the waitlist. Applicants on the waitlist may receive an offer up to the start of the academic year. Offers for admission end on the first day of orientation in September of the admission year. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

15. If I am offered admission, do I have to pay a deposit fee to hold my seat? &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
Yes. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is payable within two weeks of receiving your Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) acceptance letter. The deposit is to be paid to the Registrar’s Office and it will be credited towards fees at the time of registration. If the nonrefundable deposit is not received by the designated deadline, the offer of admission will be automatically withdrawn. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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16. Can accepted applicants defer their admission to a later year?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
No. Acceptance to the program is determined on a year-to-year basis. Applicants who are unable to accept a position into the program are encouraged to re-apply. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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17. Are applicants eligible to transfer from another professional programs?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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No. The program does not accept transfer credits from other programs. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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18. What are the MSc(OT) program fees?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Details about program fees can be found here. Please note that the program fees do not include the costs incurred during fieldwork. During fieldwork placements, students are responsible for all costs associated with travel and living expenses, immunizations, and any special fees (e.g., insurance, parking) as required by some placement sites. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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19. Are there options for the program format?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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No. The program is offered in one format only. All students will begin the full- time, on-site program in September of each year.  
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20. What are the immunization requirements?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Before participating in site visits or clinical placements, students must be appropriately immunized in accordance with the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University Faculty of Health Infectious Disease Preclinical Requirements. Please note that individual clinical placement sites may have additional/differing requirements and timelines. Students should be prepared to address these requirements as necessary. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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21. Is it possible to be employed while also studying full time in the MSc(OT) program?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
The School of Occupational Therapy recognizes students’ financial challenges. Applicants are cautioned that the MSc(OT) is a full-time program completed over a 24-month (6 consecutive semesters) time period. The academic program is intensive, and fieldwork requirements are rigorous. Typically, more than one fieldwork placement will require travel away from Halifax. While students have their own methods of time management, many students will find this program difficult to manage with the addition of full or part-time employment. Class scheduling is complex and cannot accommodate special schedules to take employment into account. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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22. Will all fieldwork placements be in Halifax?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 
No. The first part-time fieldwork placement (one day per week) does take place in the Halifax/Dartmouth area. However, the three full-time fieldwork placements may take place across the Atlantic Region, with limited opportunities for placements outside of Atlantic Canada. Students who have family, health, or other obligations, may need to be prepared to be outside Halifax for up to 8 weeks at a time. Exceptional requests regarding fieldwork location are only considered for unforeseeable and/or extenuating circumstances. Work and financial obligations are not grounds for waiving requirements for fieldwork related travel. Every request is considered on a case-by-case basis. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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23. After graduating from the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ Occupational Therapy MSc(OT) program would I be eligible to work in countries other than Canada?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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For this information, you will need to contact the regulatory occupational therapy organization in the country or jurisdiction where you intend to practice. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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24. Can previous applicants who were not accepted apply again?  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Yes.  Applicants who are not accepted are encouraged to re-apply. Applicants seeking to improve their application should review their application documentation and ensure that it meets or exceeds the minimum standards for admission.  

NOTE: Virtual consultation sessions will be available in the Fall to support applicants with the re-application process. To be eligible to book a virtual consultation, you must first submit a new application and pay the application fee. Once you have re-applied, please contact otadmissions@dal.ca to book your virtual consultation.
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25. Can I reuse any part of my previous application when reapplying the next year? &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Yes. Official transcripts, reference letters and proof of English proficiency (if still valid) can be used for reapplication the following year. Applicants who are re-applying are advised to contact the School of Occupational Therapy to determine whether documents from a previous application can be carried forward. If you apply for a 3rd time, transcripts, reference letters and proof of English proficiency must be resubmitted as part of the new application package. Other required documents including ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University Admissions Application and application fee should be resubmitted every year you apply. 

Most years, we receive many more qualified applications than available seats in the program, making admission into the MSc(OT) program very competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

If you were not offered a seat in the program and would like to re-apply for the next admission cycle, virtual consultation sessions will be available in the Fall to support you with your reapplication. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Please note: Applicants who are reapplying, will be eligible for a virtual consultation session if they have:  

• Submitted a new application, and 
  Paid the application fee. 
  
  
• Once you have reapplied, please contact otadmissions@dal.ca for further information.