1. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is “a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life.” (World Federation of Occupational Therapists Council Meeting 2004)
Practice Requirements
Master of Science (MSc) in Occupational Therapy
Application Procedures and Deadlines
Applications must be submitted through The Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) (available in mid-October for admission to the program in the following academic year). The application deadline is typically early January.
Schools in Ontario
- University of Toronto Occupational Science
- Western University Occupational Therapy
- McMaster University Occupational Therapy
- Queen’s University Rehabilitation Therapy
- University of Ottawa Rehabilitation Sciences (training is in French only):
For a full listing of Canadian universities offering programs in occupational therapy, visit:
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Useful Links
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO)
- Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT)
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
- Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation (COTF)
A related career to occupational therapist is occupational therapist assistant (OTA).
Read about OTA careers and training programs.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is “a professional health discipline directed towards the prevention or alleviation of movement dysfunction, and towards the enhancement of physical capacity.” The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to assist the client/patient to achieve the highest possible level of independent function. (Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Toronto, 2009).
Application Procedures and Deadlines
Applications for Ontario schools must be submitted through the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) (available in mid-October for admission to the program in the following academic year). The application deadline is typically early January.
Schools in Ontario
- McMaster University Physiotherapy
- Queen’s University Rehabilitation Therapy
- University of Ottawa Physiotherapy (program offered in French only)
- University of Toronto Physical Therapy
- Western University Physical Therapy
Useful Links
A related career to physiotherapist is a physiotherapy assistant (PTA).
Read about PTA careers and training programs here.
Another related career to physiotherapists is an orthotics and prosthetics technician.
Read about orthotics and prosthetics technician careers here.
This career requires a two-year college diploma. See more information about the program offered at George Brown College. George Brown is the only college in Ontario that provides this program.
3. Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology
Speech-language pathology (SLP) “is concerned with the study, assessment, and treatment of disorders of speech and language. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat communication disorders in children and adults.” (The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto)
You may also be interested in audiology, which assesses, diagnoses, and treats a broad range of hearing and balance disorders. These programs are taught in some of the same Canadian schools as SLP and are regulated by the same professional bodies.
Application Procedures
Applications for Ontario schools must be submitted through the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) (available in mid-October for admission to the program in the following academic year). The application deadline is typically early January.
Schools in Canada
For a listing of Canadian universities offering programs in SLP and/or audiology, visit:
Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
Useful Links
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
- Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
- Speech-Language and Audiology Canada
A related career to SLP and audiology is communication health assistant (CHA).
Read about CHA careers and training programs here.
This information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please check original sources.
Updated August 4, 2022.