Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) — University of Manitoba

Program status: Active. CAOT accredited (full seven-year accreditation from 2019 to 2026; re-accreditation expected). The only OT program in Manitoba and the Prairie provinces.

SpaceCat Fit Notes

CASPer: SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score is a significant advantage at the screening stage. CASPer is combined with GPA to determine interview eligibility. For “Other Canadian” applicants like SpaceCat, the combined GPA + CASPer score must meet or exceed the 30th-ranked Manitoba applicant to enter the interview lottery. A very high CASPer score directly compensates for a weaker GPA in this combined screening score, improving her chances of clearing the threshold.
GPA window & upgrading strategy: GPA is calculated on the last 60 credit hours. Taking 60 credits of strong new courses (approximately 2 full-time years) would fully reset SpaceCat’s effective GPA. Taking 30 credits (1 full-time year) would replace half the window. Manitoba uses a 4.5 GPA scale, so Dalhousie grades would need to be converted. The program also favors higher grades when a session’s courses push past the 60-credit boundary, which may help if SpaceCat’s recent courses are stronger.
Experiential / written advantage: Manitoba has no personal statement, no references, and no resume — the application rests entirely on GPA + CASPer + Interview. The 20-minute online interview (50% of the final score) is the sole narrative component. Interviewers do not see academic information and ask about “past and present knowledge, values, skills, and/or experiences relevant to being a health professional.” SpaceCat’s shelter work experience is directly relevant to these questions and could produce a strong interview performance. However, there is zero written avenue to showcase experience before reaching the interview stage — making the GPA + CASPer screening threshold the critical gate.
Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - Yes. The program has four applicant categories ranked in priority order: (1) Canadian Indigenous Peoples, (2) Manitoban, (3) Other Canadian, (4) International. Manitoba applicants receive priority. - None. All domestic Canadian students pay the same tuition regardless of province of residence
Overall assessment: Reach — The Manitoba preference system creates a significant barrier for out-of-province applicants. “Other Canadian” applicants must meet or exceed the 30th-ranked Manitoba applicant’s combined GPA + CASPer score to enter a lottery for interview invitations — this is a high and unpredictable threshold. SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score helps compensate for a weaker GPA in the combined screening score, and the 50/50 GPA/Interview final weighting means a strong interview could be decisive. However, the out-of-province lottery mechanism, prerequisite requirements (Anatomy, Physiology, Indigenous Content), and unknown number of non-Manitoba seats make this a difficult path. At ~$15,040 total domestic tuition, cost is very favorable if she gains admission.

Quick Facts

Institution: University of Manitoba, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Program name: Master of Occupational Therapy (Regular Program)
Degree granted: M.O.T.
City, Province: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Program type: Entry-to-practice master’s (accepts any bachelor’s degree)
Duration: 2 years (24 months). Source
Delivery format: In-person
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
Language of instruction: English
Start date(s): Fall (August) only
Intake frequency: Annual
Application deadline(s):
September 15: Application portal opens
February 1: Canadian/US applicant deadline (all documents uploaded)
January 15: International applicant deadline
February 4: CASPer score submission deadline
April 30: Prerequisite courses must be completed by this date
Late March – Mid-April: Interview invitations sent
April 25, 2026: Interview date
May–June: Admission decisions released
Source
Application system: Direct to University of Manitoba via Faculty of Graduate Studies online application (applygrad.umanitoba.ca)
Application fee: $100 CAD (domestic); $130 CAD (international). Source
Program URL: https://umanitoba.ca/explore/programs-of-study/occupational-therapy-mot
Admissions URL: https://umanitoba.ca/explore/college-rehabilitation-sciences-occupational-therapy-regular-program-applicant-information
Academic Calendar: https://catalog.umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/health-sciences/rehabilitation-sciences/occupational-therapy-mot/
Accredited: Yes — full seven-year accreditation by CAOT from 2019 to 2026. Source

Admission Requirements

GPA

Minimum GPA: 3.0 on the University of Manitoba 4.5 scale, calculated on the last 60 credit hours of university coursework. Source
Competitive GPA (if known): Not published. The program does not disclose average or median admitted GPA.
GPA calculated on: Last 60 credit hours completed by December 31 of the year prior to entry (i.e., December 31, 2025 for Fall 2026 entry). Source
Number of credits in GPA window: 60 credit hours (typically the last 2 years of a 4-year degree)
GPA scale used: University of Manitoba 4.5 scale
GPA calculation method: If a course was repeated, only the higher grade counts. When a session’s courses push the total past 60 credit hours, the program selects highest-level courses first, then highest grades. Formula: (sum of grade points x credit hours) / total credit hours. Source
Minimum GPA in prerequisites: B (3.0) in each prerequisite course individually. Source

Prerequisites

All prerequisites must be completed by April 30, 2026, with a minimum grade of B (3.0) in each. Source

Course	Credit Hours	Required / Recommended	Min Grade	Can be taken online?	Time Limit	Topic Coverage / Notes
Anatomy of the Human Body	3–6 cr	Required	B (3.0)	Not explicitly stated	Not stated (no expiry mentioned, unlike MPT which has 5-10 yr limits)	Must cover human anatomy. Two half-courses can together satisfy a single prerequisite if each earns a minimum B. Source
Physiology of the Human Body	3–6 cr	Required	B (3.0)	Not explicitly stated	Not stated	Must cover human physiology. Source
Psychology	3 cr minimum	Required	B (3.0)	Not explicitly stated	Not stated	Most psychology courses from a recognized psychology department accepted. Research methods courses from psychology departments are NOT accepted. If you got below B in intro psychology, a higher-level psych course with B or better can substitute. Source
Indigenous Content	3 cr minimum	Required	B (3.0)	Not explicitly stated; note that the “Indigenous Canada” MOOC from U of Alberta does NOT qualify because prerequisite coursework must be graded and worth at least 3 credit hours on a post-secondary transcript	Not stated	Must address “historical, political, social, and/or economic aspects” and current issues affecting Canadian Indigenous Peoples. Courses on the “Approved Indigenous Course List” published by the Max Rady College of Medicine are accepted. Source

Prerequisite equivalency tables: The program provides province-by-province equivalency tables for accepted prerequisite courses (including Ontario). These are available on the applicant information page. Courses not previously assessed will be reviewed by the MOT Chair of Admissions if you are in the competitive range for an interview; you may be asked to provide a detailed course syllabus. Due to high volume, the program cannot review prerequisite courses before you submit your application (exception: Canadian Indigenous category applicants). Source

Note on online courses: The program does not explicitly prohibit or endorse online delivery. However, the Indigenous Canada MOOC is specifically excluded because it is not graded credit coursework. Athabasca University courses appear on some equivalency tables for other UM programs; SpaceCat should check the MOT-specific equivalency table or contact the program. Source

Prior Degree Requirement

Minimum degree required: Undergraduate degree (3-year or 4-year bachelor’s) from a university recognized by the University of Manitoba. Source
Completed degree required? Yes — degree must be conferred by fall 2026.
Degree field restrictions: None — any field of study accepted.

Supplementary Requirements

CASPer: Required. All applicants must complete the CASPer test (Situational Judgment Test) administered by Acuity Insights. Program code: CSP-10211. Results valid for a single admissions cycle only; must retake even if previously completed. Duet assessment is NOT required. Source
Test window (Fall 2026): Canadian/US applicants: July 20, 2025 – January 22, 2026. International: July 20, 2025 – January 8, 2026.
Score submission deadline: February 4, 2026. Must request scores be sent to the Occupational Therapy program at University of Manitoba.
Technical requirements: Desktop/laptop, webcam, microphone, minimum 1.5 Mbps download / 2 Mbps upload, valid email.
GRE: Not required.
Interview: Yes. A 20-minute online interview. Date for 2026 entry: Saturday, April 25, 2026. Candidates selected for interview based on combined GPA + CASPer score. Interviewers do not have access to academic information. Candidates are asked questions about “past and present knowledge, values, skills, and/or experiences that are relevant to being a health professional.” Standard question set; score assigned based on responses. Conducted by faculty, OT students, and clinical community members. Candidates must watch an orientation video 1–2 weeks prior. Source
References: Not required for the Regular Program. (The Accelerated Program requires 2 letters of recommendation, but the Regular Program does not.) Source
Resume / CV: Not required.
Personal statement / written component: Not required.
Volunteer / work experience: Not required.
Language proficiency: Required if English is not first language. Requirements exceed Faculty of Graduate Studies minimums:
IELTS Academic: 8.0 overall (very high)
TOEFL iBT: 100 total, minimum 22 in each component (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Only these two test types accepted.
Source

Written / Personal Components

None. The MOT Regular Program does not require a personal statement, essay, or any written supplementary application component. This is unusual among Canadian OT programs. Source

How Applications Are Evaluated

The evaluation is a two-stage process: GPA + CASPer determines interview eligibility, then GPA + Interview score determines final admission.

Stage 1: Interview Selection (GPA + CASPer)

The Admissions Committee uses a combination of last-60-credit-hour GPA and CASPer score to determine who will be invited for an interview. The process differs by applicant category:

Canadian Indigenous Peoples: All applicants meeting eligibility criteria are invited to interview (no competitive ranking needed). Source
Manitoban: Ranked by combined GPA + CASPer score. Top applicants invited.
Other Canadian: Applicants whose combined GPA + CASPer score is the same as or higher than the 30th-ranked Manitoba applicant are placed into a lottery for interview selection. This means out-of-province Canadians must meet or exceed a Manitoba-applicant benchmark to even enter the lottery — they are not directly ranked. Source
International: Compete within their own category.

Stage 2: Final Selection (GPA + Interview)

Overall Score formula: (Last 60 credit hour GPA x 0.5) + (Interview Score x 0.5) = Overall Score

Maximum possible Overall Score: 1.0
GPA and Interview are equally weighted at 50% each.
Interviewers do not have access to academic information during the interview.
Source

Decision timeline: - Late March – Mid-April 2026: Interview offers sent - May–June 2026: Admission decisions released - 10-day response window to accept or decline

Out-of-Province Considerations

CRITICAL SECTION — this is an important consideration for SpaceCat at this program.

Residency restrictions or quotas: Yes. The program has four applicant categories ranked in priority order: (1) Canadian Indigenous Peoples, (2) Manitoban, (3) Other Canadian, (4) International. Manitoba applicants receive priority. Source
Manitoba applicant definition: Canadian citizen or permanent resident who meets ONE of: (a) graduated from a Manitoba high school, (b) completed a recognized degree at a university in Manitoba, (c) completed at least one year of consecutive full-time academic studies at a recognized program at a university in Manitoba while physically residing in Manitoba, or (d) has lived in Manitoba for at least two years at the time of application. Source
“Other Canadian” interview threshold: Must have a combined GPA + CASPer score equal to or higher than the 30th-ranked Manitoba applicant to be placed in a lottery for interview selection. This is a significant gatekeeping mechanism. Source
Exact number of non-Manitoba seats: Not published. With up to 20% reserved for Indigenous applicants and Manitoba applicants receiving priority, the remaining seats for “Other Canadian” and “International” combined is unclear.
Out-of-province tuition differential: None. All domestic Canadian students pay the same tuition regardless of province of residence. Source
Indigenous priority seats: Up to 20% of available seats (approximately 10–12 of ~50–60 seats) reserved for Canadian Indigenous Peoples applicants who meet all entry requirements. Requires proof of First Nations, Metis, or Inuit heritage (Status Card, Treaty Card, membership documentation, or community verification letter). Approximately 15% of the class is selected from this group in practice. Source

Cost

Tuition (total program, approximate): ~$15,040 domestic / ~$30,116 international over 2 years (4 terms of coursework). Source
Per-term breakdown (2025-26):
Domestic: $3,759.84 per term
International: $7,528.94 per term
Continuing fee (after Year 2, if needed): $675.00 per term
Source
In-province vs out-of-province: No differential for Canadian students. All domestic students pay the same rate regardless of province. Source
Additional fees:
Application fee: $100 CAD domestic / $130 CAD international
Student fees and ancillary fees not included in tuition figures above
Fieldwork travel costs: Students are responsible for travel and living expenses during out-of-Winnipeg placements (minimum one placement outside Winnipeg)
CPR certification, criminal record check, immunization costs
Abuse registry check costs (may be arranged by College)
Mask fit testing (arranged by College)

Fee schedule URL: https://umanitoba.ca/registrar/tuition-fees/graduate

SpaceCat cost note: At ~$15,040 total domestic tuition for 2 years, this is one of the most affordable OT programs in Canada. Manitoba’s regulated tuition makes this substantially cheaper than programs in Ontario, BC, or Atlantic Canada.

Competitiveness

Cohort size: The applicant information page references 60 total students in the priority ranking section; other sources (applicant guide, third-party sites) state 50 students per year. The number may have recently increased. Use 50–60 as the range. Source: “60” from applicant info page; Source: “50” from program guide
Acceptance rate (if known): Not published.
Number of applicants (if known): Not published.
Competitive GPA: Not published. Minimum is 3.0/4.5 but competitive GPA is certainly higher given the selective interview process.

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

Total required hours: Minimum 1,000 hours of fieldwork experience across the program. Source
Number of placements: Four block fieldwork placements:
Basic Fieldwork (OT 6200): 4 weeks, 4 credit hours — Nov 17 – Dec 12, 2025 (Year 1)
Intermediate Fieldwork 1 (OT 6400): 8 weeks, 8 credit hours — May 4 – Jun 26, 2026 (Year 1)
Intermediate Fieldwork 2 (OT 7600): 8 weeks, 8 credit hours — Jan 5 – Feb 27, 2026 (Year 2)
Advanced Fieldwork (OT 7800): 6 weeks, 6 credit hours — Jun 29 – Sep 18, 2026 (Year 2, flexible start date but must end by Sep 18)
Total: 26 weeks of block fieldwork, 26 credit hours
Source; Source
Placement settings / locations: “Field placements mostly occur in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.” Mandatory exposure to varied settings including psychosocial, hospital, non-hospital, and out-of-Winnipeg placements. “All students should be prepared to travel out of Winnipeg for a minimum of one placement.” Source
Can placements be done out of province? Placements are primarily in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The program does not mention placements in other provinces or internationally.
Travel costs: Students responsible for all travel and living expenses during placements outside Winnipeg.
Fieldwork guidelines: Program follows the Canadian Guidelines for Fieldwork Education in Occupational Therapy (CGFEOT v2024). Source

Curriculum Structure

Total credit hours: 107 (Regular Program)

Year 1 (55 credit hours): - OT 6100: Human Determinants of Occupational Performance (6) - OT 6110: Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy Theory (3) - OT 6122: Foundations of Health and Well-being (3) - OT 6130: Occupational Therapy Practice Skills 1 (3) - OT 6142: Professionalism and Enabling Occupation (7) - OT 6190: Fieldwork Preparation (1) - OT 6200: Basic Fieldwork (4) - GRAD 7300: Research Integrity Tutorial (0) - GRAD 7500: Academic Integrity Tutorial (0) - OT 6300: Analysis of Occupation (4) - OT 6310: The Environment and Occupational Performance (4) - OT 6320: Health Conditions and Occupational Performance (4) - OT 6330: Occupational Therapy Practice Skills 2 (4) - OT 6352: Foundations of Evidence-informed Occupational Therapy (4) - OT 6400: Intermediate Fieldwork 1 (8)

Year 2 (52 credit hours): - OT 7542: Professionalism and Leadership in Enabling Occupation 1 (4) - OT 7560: Occupational Therapy Process 1 (6) - OT 7572: Occupational Therapy Practice Skills 3 (6) - OT 7600: Intermediate Fieldwork 2 (8) - OT 7742: Professionalism and Leadership in Enabling Occupation 2 (4) - OT 7752: Critical Inquiry Research Project (6) - OT 7760: Occupational Therapy Process 2 (6) - OT 7772: Occupational Therapy Practice Skills 4 (6) - OT 7800: Advanced Fieldwork (6)

Source

Teaching methods: Large group (lectures, workshops, sharing circles, land-based teaching), small group (tutorials, seminars, labs, problem-based learning), blended (flipped classroom, asynchronous), experiential (simulation, community engagement, fieldwork). Source

Academic standards in program: Minimum GPA of 3.0 with no grade below C+. C grade minimum for pass/credit in fieldwork courses. Source

Licensing & Career Path

Licensing exam: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) National Certification Examination. Source
Provisional practice: Graduates may register as Provisional Occupational Therapists with the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba (COTM) prior to convocation if employment is secured. Source
Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes — graduates must also register with the provincial regulatory body where they intend to practice.
Any known issues with credential recognition? None noted. CAOT accreditation ensures national recognition.

Post-Admission Requirements

Before starting the program, admitted students must provide: - CPR Certification: Current Basic Life Support (Healthcare Provider) from a Heart & Stroke Foundation-certified instructor, dated after July 1 of program start year. Source - Criminal Record Check: Vulnerable sector search dated after July 1 of program year. - Abuse Registry Checks: Both child and adult abuse registry checks (arranged by College; applicant may pay costs). - Immunizations: Required per Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; submission deadline late July. - Mask Fit Testing: Required before fieldwork (arranged by College). - Official Transcripts: Due by June 20, 2026 from admitted students.

Reputation & Notes

The University of Manitoba MOT is the only OT program in the Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta do not have other English-language OT programs — note: University of Alberta offers OT).
The program emphasizes Indigenous health, cultural safety, and Wahkotowin (relationality) as core values. This aligns with the Indigenous Content prerequisite and up-to-20% Indigenous priority seats.
Land-based teaching and sharing circles are integrated into the curriculum — distinctive among Canadian OT programs.
Margaret Hart, an Ininiw scholar, has been working toward a “complete rebuild” of the OT program to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Source
The program follows an “occupational performance” model of practice.
No Reddit discussions specifically about University of Manitoba MOT admissions were found in searches.

Information Not Found

The following items could not be confirmed from public sources and should be verified directly with the program (CORS.MOTprogram@umanitoba.ca / 204-789-3897):

Exact number of “Other Canadian” seats. The priority system (Indigenous → Manitoba → Other Canadian → International) is clear, but the number of seats allocated to each non-Indigenous category is not published. This is the most important unknown for SpaceCat.
Exact cohort size. Sources conflict between 50 and 60 students. May have recently increased.
Competitive GPA of admitted students. No data on average, median, or range of admitted GPA.
Number of applicants per year. Not published.
Prerequisite time limits. No expiry mentioned for MOT prerequisites (unlike the UM Physical Therapy program which has 5- and 10-year limits). Confirm whether anatomy/physiology courses taken many years ago are still accepted.
Whether prerequisites can be completed entirely online (e.g., Athabasca anatomy/physiology). The Indigenous Canada MOOC is explicitly excluded, but graded online university courses are not explicitly addressed.
Ontario-specific prerequisite equivalency table. The program references province-by-province tables on the applicant info page, but the specific Ontario equivalents were not extractable. SpaceCat should check the applicant info page directly or contact the program.
GPA conversion methodology for non-Manitoba transcripts. UM uses a 4.5 scale; Dalhousie uses 4.3. How grades are converted is not specified.
Interview format details. Described as a 20-minute online interview with “standard question set” — it is not clear if this is an MMI-style format with multiple stations or a single panel interview.
How CASPer and GPA are combined for interview selection. The weighting/formula for the Stage 1 (interview invitation) combined score is not disclosed — only the Stage 2 (final selection) formula of 50/50 GPA + Interview is published.
Whether “Other Canadian” applicants who clear the 30th-Manitoba-applicant threshold are all interviewed or only a subset via lottery. The lottery mechanism is mentioned but the number of lottery interview spots is not specified.
Accreditation renewal status for 2026+. Current accreditation runs 2019–2026; the program will presumably seek renewal but the status of the new cycle is not published.

Contact: - Email: CORS.MOTprogram@umanitoba.ca - Phone: 204-789-3897 - Address: P304-770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2 - Faculty of Graduate Studies: graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca / 204-474-9377

Sources