Office of the Registrar and Student Awards

205

Graduate Programs

205.59 Physical Therapy

Department of Physical Therapy

2-50 Corbett Hall

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G4

E-mail: fgsrpt.info@rehabmed.ualberta.ca

205.59.1 General Information

    The Department of Physical Therapy offers a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy (MScPT).

    The course-based MScPT program is designed to provide students with the clinical and evaluative skills necessary for the practice of physical therapy. This course-based master's degree is for students who hold undergraduate degrees in a variety of fields.

205.59.2 The Degree of MSc in Physical Therapy (course-based)

Entrance Requirements

    The minimum admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree from the University of Alberta with a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the most recent *60 or its academic equivalent from a recognized academic institution. Prerequisite courses are required and include the following: Human Anatomy (*3), Human Physiology (*6), English (*3), Statistics (*3), Psychology (*6). Where applicable refer to the English language requirement for the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (§203.2.4). Applicants must have a TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based) or 92 (internet-based) or higher.

    Activity courses in Physical Education, studio courses in Fine Arts, and practicum courses are not considered part of the required *60 credits admission requirements and are not included in the calculation of the academic score.

    A minimum of 30 hours of volunteer or paid work is required. Work must include direct contact involving interaction with persons with cognitive or physical disabilities at no more than two facilities. Applicants are required to submit a letter from the primary work supervisor verifying the volunteer/paid work experience.

    The deadline date for submitting applications for admission (including a listing of prerequisites completed and/or in progress) is February 1. Please contact the Department of Physical Therapy for further admission information. Normally deferral of admission will not be allowed.

    Annual admission is for 80 positions. The selection process is competitive and will be based mainly on the GPA in the most recent *60 taken prior to January of the admission year. The grade point average of the prerequisite courses may be included in the admissions evaluation process. In addition to academic requirements an interview will be required. While preference will be given to residents of Alberta, approximately 15% of the available seats will be designated for out-of-province and international applicants.

    Licensing by Professional Associations: Graduates from the course-based MScPT in Physical Therapy program may apply for membership in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 9th Floor, 890 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M4W 3P4, and the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta, 1350, 5555 Calgary Trail South, Edmonton, AB, T6H 5P9.

    Provincial Licensing: In order to be a practising physical therapist in the Province of Alberta, graduates from the course-based MScPT program at the University of Alberta are required to take the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) which consists of both written (Qualifying Examination) and clinical (Physiotherapy National Examination) examinations. The fee for the examination is the responsibility of the student. Information on the cost of the examination can be obtained from the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA). Successful completion of the PCE will enable graduating physical therapists to practice in Alberta. Contact (780) 438-0338 for more information.

Financial Assistance

    Fellowships and scholarships may be obtained from a number of external sources (e.g., Alberta Government, CPA, IODE, Arthritis Society, and others). More detailed information on these and other awards can be obtained in §210, Graduate Financial Aid.

Program Requirements

    Requirements for the course-based MScPT degree include successful completion of all components of the required course of study (*88), including (31 weeks) in clinical placements and a major project. The major project has two components:

(1)

a practical examination of clinical skills within an Objective, Structured Competency Examination (OSCE), and

(2)

a group written case study analysis with individual oral examination.

    Students must successfully complete both components to pass the major project.

    Course-based MScPT courses are organized in blocks, with time periods different from the usual university terms. The start and finish dates for the blocks will vary from year to year. These block dates are available annually from the Department Office. Normally, block classes will begin one week before the usual term. The last day of Block classes may extend past the last day of classes for a term. Refer to the academic schedule (§11.1) for specific dates for each Block during the year.

    Each Block will include lecture, lab, and seminar time. Students are advised that self-directed learning is an expectation of graduate students and will maximize their learning.

    Academic Standing: Refer to section §203.8 for policies on Academic Standing in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. The Department of Physical Therapy has established procedures governing academic standing which are available on admission in the MScPT Student Manual. The Department of Physical Therapy has established appeal procedures so that students who encounter special problems relating to academic standing, grade or course concerns and program requirements are reviewed in an equitable manner. Regulations regarding appeals are included in the MScPT Student Manual provided on admission. Deadlines exist for submission of appeals. Contact the Department for details.

    Clinical Placement Courses: Clinical placement courses are practical placements at approved facilities and are integrated through the program. The first clinical placement is a one-week full-time placement. The remaining five courses are full-time and six weeks in length for a total of 31 clinical weeks. The Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) is the course instructor for each clinical placement. The ACCE will assign each student’s final placement grade in each course based on a recommendation by the student’s clinical supervisor and assignments completed on placement.

    Clinical Policies and Procedures: The procedures governing clinical placements are binding and will be provided in the MScPT Student Manual.

    To be eligible for admission to clinical placements the students must meet the following requirements:

(1)

CPR Certification

(2)

Security Clearance Check

(3)

Medical Examination and Immunization Requirements

(4)

Fit Testing for Respirator Mask, as required

(5)

For students requesting Specialized Support and Disability Services (SSDS) accommodation and for students returning to the program after a prolonged period of absence due to illness, a medical examination and relevant documentation may be required prior to clinical practice.

    Details on these clinical requirements are available in the MScPT Student Manual. Note that all fees and costs for these clinical requirements are the student's responsibility (e.g., travel, visa, accommodation, health and travel insurance, course registration). Students must be prepared to travel throughout the province in order to obtain the placement experiences that are required for graduation. Students may choose to apply for a national or international placement at designated times.

    In the physical therapy clinical program, students must have completed an acceptable level of clinical performance over the course of their clinical program in order to graduate even if they have passed all the clinical courses. The Chair or designate may require a student to do additional remedial work if the Chair or designate has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest (see the University of Alberta’s Practicum Intervention Appeal Policy and the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Practicum Intervention Appeal Procedures). If the student chooses not to do the remedial work he/she will be required to withdraw from the program. Situations in which the Chair or designate would require a student to do additional remedial work include evidence of:

(1)

unsafe clinical practice

(2)

unsatisfactory professional conduct

(3)

clinical/professional skills are not at a suitable level of performance for graduation

    As per regulations, the student would have the right to appeal any conditions put on this remedial work or any requirement to withdraw from the program.

    A student who fails a clinical placement may appeal that decision. Information regarding appeal procedures is available in the MScPT Student Manual.

    Practicum Intervention Policy: The Dean, or supervisor acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student to, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions, or site of practicum/clinical placement if the Dean or supervisor has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest. Refer to §23.8.2 Practicum Intervention Policy for additional information.

    Assistance/Accommodation: Students who may require assistance/accommodation due to personal circumstances and/or conditions affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning and physical or mental health, should refer to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine Student Accommodation Procedures document on the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine website at www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/rehabmed/ and to §24.16 Specialized Support and Disability Services.

Length of the Program

    A minimum of 25 calendar months will normally be required to complete the program. Dependent on clinical placement availability, completion of the program may be 31 months. Normally the MScPT program will be completed within a maximum of three consecutive academic years.

    The following is a listing of course-based MScPT program requirements:

INT D 410

PTHER 544

PTHER 500

PTHER 545

PTHER 504

PTHER 546

PTHER 511

PTHER 548

PTHER 516

PTHER 549

PTHER 517

PTHER 554

PTHER 518

PTHER 555

PTHER 520

PTHER 557

PTHER 521

PTHER 558

PTHER 522

PTHER 561

PTHER 523

PTHER 562

PTHER 524

PTHER 563

PTHER 525

PTHER 565

PTHER 526

PTHER 567

PTHER 528

PTHER 572

PTHER 534

PTHER 573

PTHER 536

PTHER 574

PTHER 537

PTHER 900

PTHER 538

Notes:

(1)

The above PTHER courses are open to course-based MScPT students only or by consent of the Department.

(2)

Students must complete approved elective course work totalling *3. Courses completed prior to the MScPT course-based program will not be considered for the *3 elective requirement.

205.59.3 Graduate Courses

    Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the following subject headings:

    Physical Therapy (PTHER)

    Rehabilitation Medicine (REHAB)

Search the Calendar:

Table of Contents

Calendar Home Page
Notices, Errata, Addendum, 2011-2012 PDF Calendar, 2010-2011 Calendar, Previous Calendars, University Policy Gateway

Welcome from the President

Inquiries

Academic Schedule
 11Major Deadlines from the 2011-2012 Academic Schedule
 11.1Academic Schedule 2011-2012 (monthly listing of academic events on campus)

Undergraduate Application Deadlines for Admission and Readmission

Undergraduate Admission
 13Admission to Undergraduate Programs
 14General Admission Requirements
 15Admission Requirements by Faculty
 16Admission for International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Students
 17Admission from Outside Alberta

University Regulations and Information for Students
 20General University Policies
 21Classification of Students
 22Registration and Fees
 23Academic Regulations
 24Student Services
 25Code of Student Behaviour
 26Code of Applicant Behaviour

Programs
30Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
40Faculty of Arts
50Augustana Faculty
60Faculty of Business
70Faculty of Education
80Faculty of Engineering
90Faculty of Extension
100Faculty of Law
110Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
120Faculty of Native Studies
130Faculty of Nursing
140Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
150Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
160School of Public Health
170Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
180Faculté Saint-Jean
191Faculty of Science

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
 200The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
 201Members of the Faculty
 202General Information
 203Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
 204Graduate Program Regulations
 205Graduate Programs
 210Graduate Financial Aid

Open Studies

Course Listings
 230Details of Courses
 231Course Listings

Glossary

General Information
 241University History and Traditions
 242Constitution of the University
 243University Libraries
 244Alumni Association
 245Affiliated Colleges

University Staff
 250Continuing Academic Staff
 251Emeriti
 252Associate and Adjunct Staff
 253Honorary Degree Recipients