MHSc Occupational Therapy — University of Ottawa

Program status: Active. The ORPAS application for Fall 2026 entry is now closed. Source

SpaceCat Fit Notes

1. CASPer: SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score is a significant advantage. CASPer carries a full 50% of the evaluation weight — the highest CASPer weighting of any Canadian OT program. Combined with the 50% ORPAS GPA, SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score would constitute half her total application score, providing massive compensation for a weaker GPA. This is the single most CASPer-favorable OT program in Canada.

2. GPA window & upgrading strategy: GPA is calculated on the most recent 20 half-courses (10 FCEs), using the ORPAS sub-GPA. Taking 20 strong new half-courses would fully reset SpaceCat’s effective GPA. Taking 10 new half-courses (one full-time year) would replace half the window. This is the same window used by U of T and Western. Prerequisite courses require B+ (77%) minimums and must be completed within 6 years.

3. Experiential / written advantage: uOttawa has no interview, no references, no personal statement, and no resume. The application rests entirely on GPA + CASPer + French language test (pass/fail gate). There are zero narrative components where SpaceCat’s shelter work experience could be showcased. This is a purely numbers-driven program — the only way experiential strengths matter is indirectly through CASPer scenarios that may draw on life experience. If French were not a barrier, the 50% CASPer weighting would provide massive indirect value for SpaceCat’s experiential background.

4. Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - No explicit out-of-province quotas mentioned. The program is open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents regardless of province

5. Overall assessment: Not viable — The program is taught entirely in French. SpaceCat does not speak French fluently, making this an insurmountable barrier. The 50% CASPer weighting, improvable GPA window, and Ontario tuition rates would otherwise make this a strong fit.

CRITICAL: This is a FRENCH-LANGUAGE program. All courses are taught in French. SpaceCat does not speak French fluently, making this program effectively inaccessible without significant French language preparation. See French Language Requirement section below.

Quick Facts

• Institution: University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences
• Program name: Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) in Occupational Therapy / Maîtrise en sciences de la santé (M.Sc.S.) en ergothérapie
• Degree granted: MHSc / M.Sc.S.
• City, Province: Ottawa, Ontario
• Program type: Professional master’s (second-entry)
• Language of instruction: French. All mandatory courses are in French, though many scientific readings are in English. Students may submit assignments and exams in English or French, except for case simulation assignments designed to ensure bilingual clinical competence. Source
• Duration: 6 full-time terms (24 consecutive months) or 12 part-time terms. Source
• Delivery format: In-person
• Full-time / Part-time: Both available, but part-time clinical placement availability is very limited. Students admitted full-time cannot transfer to part-time unless part-time spots are available. Source
• Start date(s): September (Fall term only)
• Intake frequency: Annual
• Cohort size: 40 full-time seats + 2 part-time seats. Source
• Application deadline(s) (Fall 2026 cycle, now closed — dates for reference):
• ORPAS application deadline: January 2026 (exact date set by ORPAS annually)
• Initial transcripts due to ORPAS: January 30, 2026
• Last accepted CASPer test date: January 22, 2026
• OLBI French language test payment deadline (OT/Physiotherapy): February 20, 2026
• OLBI French language test completion deadline: February 27, 2026
• Offers released: May 15, 2026
• Final transcripts / degree conferral proof due: June 30, 2026
• Source; Source
• Application system: ORPAS (Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service) through OUAC. Source
• Application fee: Standard ORPAS fees apply (see OUAC for current amounts).
• Program URL: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-health-sciences/rehabilitation/our-programs/master-of-health-sciences-occupational-therapy-mhsc
• Catalogue URL: https://catalogue.uottawa.ca/en/graduate/master-health-sciences-occupational-therapy/
• Accredited: Yes — CAOT Academic Credentialing Council accredited from October 2022 to 2029. Source
• Citizenship restriction: Currently only accepting applications from Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Source

Admission Requirements (Regular Stream)

GPA

• Minimum GPA: B average (70%) on the University of Ottawa scale, calculated per ORPAS guidelines. Source
• Alternative pathway (current undergrads): Students currently completing the third year of a 4-year honours bachelor’s at a Canadian university may apply with a minimum cumulative GPA of A (85%) after the winter term of third year (at 15 units per term equivalent). Source
• Competitive GPA: Not publicly disclosed.
• GPA calculated on: The ORPAS sub-GPA is based on the most recent 10 full-course equivalents (20 half-courses). ORPAS converts grades to a 4.0 scale using their standardized conversion table. Full-year courses are weighted as 2, half-year courses as 1. Source
• GPA window: Most recent 20 ORPAS course lengths (i.e., 10 full courses or 20 half-courses). This means SpaceCat CAN improve her GPA by taking additional undergraduate courses after graduation, since the window is based on the most recent courses, not the degree cGPA. This is a significant advantage compared to programs that lock the GPA window to the completed degree.
• Minimum credits required: At least 10 FCEs (20 half-course equivalents) at a recognized university. Source

Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B+ (77% / 3.3 on the ORPAS 4.0 scale). Each prerequisite must be satisfied by a separate course (one course cannot fulfill two requirements). Courses must have been completed within 6 years of application. Source

Source; [Source — search results from ORPAS program requirements]

Prior Degree Requirement

• Minimum: Honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any field. Source
• Degree field restrictions: None — any undergraduate field of study is accepted. “Your undergraduate field of study has no bearing on the admissions decision.” Source
• Completed degree required? Yes, unless applying via the third-year pathway with 85%+ average. Degree conferral proof due by June 30. Source

Supplementary Requirements

• CASPer: Required. Can be completed in French or English (applicant’s choice). Must be completed by January 22 for the 2026 cycle. Source; Source
• Interview: None. There is no admissions interview. Source
• References / Letters of recommendation: Not required. Source
• Resume / CV: Not listed as a requirement.
• Written / personal statement: Not listed as a requirement.
• Volunteer / work experience: Not a formal admission criterion.

French Language Requirement

This is the single biggest barrier for SpaceCat.

The program is taught entirely in French. All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both French and English (written and spoken). The specific testing requirement depends on the language of your undergraduate degree:

• If undergrad was in English (SpaceCat’s situation): Must take the French proficiency test administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI). Source; Source
• If undergrad was in French: Must take the English proficiency test.
• If undergrad was in neither: Must take both tests.
• Exemption: Available if you have completed multiple university degrees including at least one in French and one in English. Request via email to healthsc@uottawa.ca. Source

OLBI Test Details: - Format: Exclusively online via XpressLab - Duration: Approximately 2 hours, completed in a single sitting - Components: (1) Listening & reading comprehension (recorded passages, MCQs, fill-in-the-blank), (2) Written expression (typed responses), (3) Spoken expression (recorded responses) - Cost: $60 per test, payable by credit card via uOttawa eStore - Deadline for OT/Physio: Payment by February 20, 2026; completion by February 27, 2026 - Source

Passing threshold: The specific pass/fail score or CEFR level required is not publicly disclosed. However, given that all coursework is in French, the practical requirement is functional fluency — the ability to follow lectures, participate in discussions, write assignments, and conduct clinical work in French. This is substantially more demanding than McGill’s B2 requirement, because at McGill the instruction is in English and French is only needed for clinical placements. At uOttawa, French is the medium of instruction itself.

Important for SpaceCat: As an anglophone from Ontario with a BA from Dalhousie (English), SpaceCat would need to pass the OLBI French proficiency test covering listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Without fluent French, SpaceCat would be unable to follow lectures, complete coursework, or succeed in the program even if admitted. This program is not viable without French fluency.

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applications are ranked using a 50/50 weighting:

Source

Process: Applicants are ranked within each admission pathway based on the combined 50% ORPAS average + 50% CASPer score. The French language test is a pass/fail gate — applicants must pass it to be eligible, but it does not factor into the ranking score. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as the program is competitive with limited capacity. Source

Key implication for SpaceCat: The 50% CASPer weighting is very high compared to many other programs. SpaceCat’s strong CASPer score would be a major asset here — IF the French barrier could be overcome.

Out-of-Province Considerations

• Residency restrictions or quotas: No explicit out-of-province quotas mentioned. The program is open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents regardless of province. Source
• Location advantage: University of Ottawa is in Ontario, so SpaceCat as an Ontario resident would pay Ontario-resident tuition rates (no out-of-province differential as there would be at Quebec schools). This is a meaningful cost advantage over McGill or other Quebec programs.
• CNFS (Consortium national de formation en santé): The program has ties to CNFS, a pan-Canadian organization funded by Health Canada to improve French-language health service access in Francophone minority communities. CNFS-admitted students are encouraged to do clinical rotations in their home provinces; CNFS may cover travel costs. Source

Cost

Tuition

• Fee structure: University of Ottawa charges a flat tuition fee for full-time graduate students per term. Part-time fees are calculated per credit. Source
• Estimated annual tuition (domestic, Ontario resident): Approximately $7,370–$9,600/year including ancillary fees based on general graduate program estimates. Specific program-level fees for Health Sciences are not publicly broken out on the website. Fees for each coming year are posted in late May. Source
• Estimated total program cost (tuition only, 2 years): Approximately $14,700–$19,200 for an Ontario resident based on general graduate rates. This is substantially lower than McGill’s out-of-province rate (~$39,000) and comparable to other Ontario programs.
• Third-party estimate: One source estimates first-year tuition at ~$19,630 CAD, though this may include ancillary fees or reflect a different year. [Source — Shiksha.com estimate]
• Ontario vs. out-of-province: Because uOttawa is in Ontario, SpaceCat would NOT pay out-of-province tuition (unlike at McGill or other Quebec schools).

Note: For precise current tuition, consult the official fee tables at https://www.uottawa.ca/study/fees-financial-support/university-fees or contact the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Financial Aid

• Scholarships available through uOttawa’s graduate financial support portal. Source
• French-language program students may qualify for differential tuition fee exemptions (relevant mainly for international students). Source
• CNFS may provide financial support including travel costs for out-of-area clinical placements. Source
• Eligible for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) as an Ontario institution.

Competitiveness

• Cohort size: 40 full-time + 2 part-time = 42 total seats. Source
• Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed.
• Number of applicants: Not publicly disclosed. Likely lower than English-language Ontario OT programs due to the French language requirement.
• Competitive GPA: Not publicly disclosed. The minimum is 70% (B), but as a competitive program with limited seats, the actual competitive average is likely significantly higher.
• Selection formula: 50% ORPAS GPA + 50% CASPer. Source

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

• Total required hours: Minimum 1,000 hours across 5 clinical placements. Source
• Number of placements: 5
• Placement settings: Ottawa-area hospitals, schools, community organizations, private clinics, rehabilitation centres. Out-of-area placements within the National Capital Region or beyond are possible. Source
• Bilingual placement requirement: All students are expected to have placements in both majority English-speaking settings and majority French-speaking settings. This is a distinctive feature of the program — graduates gain clinical experience in both official languages. Source
• Attendance: Mandatory. Abandoning a placement without good cause results in failure. Clinical organizations may terminate placements if student behavior poses danger or negatively impacts clients/patients/staff; dismissal results in a failing grade. Source
• Pre-placement requirements: Immunizations, police record clearance, other health/safety training as mandated by sites. Source

Program Structure

Regular Stream — Coursework Only (52.5 units + clinical)

19 compulsory courses + 2 seminars + 5 clinical placements. Key courses include:

• ERG 5512: Anatomy and occupational participation
• ERG 5525: Exploration of occupational participation
• ERG 5722: Theoretical perspectives and models
• ERG 5741–5744: Health conditions and interventions across lifespan (children, adult physical, adult mental health, elderly)
• ERG 5754: Research in occupational therapy
• REA 5703: Professional practices in rehabilitation
• ERG 6715: Advanced professional practices
• ERG 6741–6744: Intervention seminars across lifespan
• REA 6503: Evidence-based rehabilitation practice
• ERG 6755: Research seminar
• ERG 6761: Integration seminar

Source

Regular Stream — With Research Project

Same as above, plus ERG 6920: Individual research project (6 units), replacing ERG 6755. Source

Academic Standards

• Minimum C+ required in each course; S (Satisfactory) required for clinical placements.
• Two failures (any combination of courses/placements) = automatic program withdrawal.
• Source

Licensing & Credential Portability Across Canada

This section covers the national OT licensing landscape, which is critical context for evaluating French-language programs and understanding whether training language affects where you can practice.

The NOTCE (National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination)

• What it is: The NOTCE is the national certification exam for occupational therapists in Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). It assesses written application of academic knowledge and professional behaviour for entry to the profession. Source
• Language: The NOTCE is offered in both English and French. Candidates can toggle between both languages during the exam. This means training in French does NOT prevent you from writing the exam in English (or vice versa). Source
• Format: In-person computer-based or live remote proctored. Two parts, 100 questions each, 2 hours per part. Approximately 40 case studies in MCQ format. Pass mark ~70% (criterion-referenced). Source
• Cost: $755.00 + taxes. Source
• Attempts: Maximum 3 attempts to pass. Source
• 2026 dates: April 8, September 2–3, December 2–3. Source
• Required in: All provinces and territories except Quebec. Source

Quebec: The OEQ (Ordre des ergotherapeutes du Quebec)

Quebec operates a separate licensing system from the rest of Canada:

• No NOTCE required: Graduates intending to practice in Quebec do NOT write the NOTCE. They apply directly to the OEQ for a permit. Source
• French requirement: OEQ requires demonstration of working knowledge of French per Quebec’s Charter of the French Language. Acceptable proof includes 3+ years of instruction in French, Quebec secondary diploma (post-1985–86), or passing the OQLF (Office quebecois de la langue francaise) exam. Source
• Temporary permit: For those unable to prove French proficiency, OEQ can issue a temporary permit valid for 1 year, renewable up to 3 times, during which the candidate must work toward passing the OQLF French exam. Source; Source
• Processing: Most compliant files process within 48 hours. Application fee: $143.72 CAD. Source

Practicing in Ontario (COTO) After a French-Language Program

If SpaceCat graduated from uOttawa’s OT program and wanted to practice in Ontario:

• Register with COTO (College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario). Source
• Pass the NOTCE — available in English or French, with ability to toggle between languages. Training language does not matter. Source
• Language requirement for COTO: Must be able to “speak and write either English or French with reasonable fluency.” Since SpaceCat is a native English speaker, this is not an issue. Source
• Education requirement: A master’s degree in OT from a CAOT-accredited Canadian program (which uOttawa is). Source
• Clinical hours: 1,000 hours of fieldwork as part of the program (uOttawa meets this). Source
• Currency: Must have graduated within the past 18 months, OR have 600 hours of OT practice within the past 3 years, OR completed a College-approved refresher program. Source
• Provisional registration: Available — allows practice under supervision while awaiting NOTCE results. Source

Bottom line for Ontario practice: There are ZERO barriers to practicing in Ontario after graduating from uOttawa’s French-language OT program. The degree is fully recognized, the NOTCE can be written in English, and COTO accepts English or French fluency.

Practicing in Any Other Province

• ACOTRO Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA): All 10 provinces signed this agreement supporting OT mobility across Canada. If you are registered in one province, you can transfer registration to another, though you must meet the receiving province’s regulatory requirements. Source
• Remote Practice MOU (effective May 2025): All Canadian provinces are signatories. OTs registered with any Canadian provincial regulator can practice remotely into other provinces (unless providing a restricted activity). Source
• No language-of-training barriers: No province requires that your OT education was delivered in a specific language. The NOTCE can be written in English or French regardless of training language. Source

McGill (English Program in Quebec) — Licensing Notes

For comparison with the McGill entry in this series: - McGill graduates can practice anywhere in Canada. The degree is CAOT-accredited. Source - For Ontario/other provinces: Write the NOTCE (in English), register with provincial body. No complications. - For Quebec: Apply to OEQ. Must demonstrate French proficiency. McGill requires B2 French for admission, which helps but may not fully satisfy OEQ requirements. Temporary permits available. Source

Summary Table: Licensing by Training Location

Information Not Found

The following could not be confirmed from public sources:

1. Competitive/average admitted GPA — Not disclosed. Only the 70% minimum is published.
2. OLBI French test passing threshold — The exact score or CEFR level required to pass is not publicly disclosed. Contact OLBI at olbi@uottawa.ca or 613-562-5743.
3. Exact number of applicants per year — Not disclosed.
4. Exact tuition fees for MHSc OT — Program-specific fee tables are not publicly available; only general graduate estimates exist. Fee tables are posted in late May each year.
5. Whether online prerequisite courses are accepted — Not specified. Contact the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
6. Prerequisite course equivalencies — The faculty has a course equivalencies page but it returned a 404 error at time of research. Expected URL
7. Part-time availability in practice — Stated as 2 seats, but noted as very limited; unclear how often part-time spots are actually available.

Contact for verification: - Faculty of Health Sciences Academic Office: fhs.academic.office@uottawa.ca - 125 University Private, Room 232, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 - OLBI (language testing): olbi@uottawa.ca / 613-562-5743

Sources

Official program pages: - MHSc OT — Faculty of Health Sciences - MHSc OT — University Catalogue - FAQ — Admission in Occupational Therapy - Frequently Asked Questions — Rehabilitation - Course Sequences — OT

ORPAS / OUAC: - ORPAS — University of Ottawa - ORPAS — Key Dates - ORPAS — Program Requirements Overview - ORPAS — GPA Calculations

Language testing: - OLBI — School of Rehabilitation Sciences Admissions Test

Tuition / fees: - University Fees — uOttawa - Estimating Total University Fees - Tuition — Canadians Residing in Ontario

National licensing & portability: - NOTCE — Information - NOTCE — FAQs - ACOTRO — Registering in Canada (Canadian-Educated) - ACOTRO — Registering in Canada (Overview) - OEQ — Canada Graduates (Outside Quebec) - COTO — Registration Requirements - COTO — Canadian Educated Applicants - COTO — Provisional Registration - COTO — National Exam Information - CAOT — Become an OT - CAOT — Accredited University Programs