FAQs

The first round admission GPA cutoff for 2022 and 2023 was 3.7. The final admission GPA each year varies depending on the number of applications we receive and the quality of the applicant pool, but seems to be increasing slightly each year. Applicants should only apply if they present a GPA of at least 3.4 (80%; B+) in their last 2 years of study. Also note that meeting the competitive admission GPA in a particular year does NOT guarantee admission - all aspects of the application are reviewed to ensure a proper fit with the program and the OT profession.

• For information about how Winter 2020 grades and credits will effect GPA calculations please consult the official U of A policy.
• If prerequisite courses, i.e., approved human anatomy and statistics courses, were taken in Winter 2020 a grade of credit will be accepted as a passing grade to meet the prerequisite course requirement.

Yes, you need to complete the following prerequisite courses within 10 years of the date of application:

• Statistics (3 credits/one term) General introductory course covering basic statistical concepts.
• Human Anatomy (min. 3 credits/one term) General introductory course covering basic human anatomy.

At minimum applicants need to have achieved a passing grade in each course to meet the requirements.

Prerequisite grades are only included in the 60 credit GPA calculation if they fall in the most recent 60 credits.

Send an email with the course name/number, outline/syllabus and name of university/college to mscot@ualberta.ca

Course outlines/syllabus must be submitted, calendar descriptions of courses are not accepted.

To determine the GPA we count back chronologically starting from the most recent, applicable 60 credits completed by January 1st of the admission year until we hit 60 credits. Courses taken in Spring/Summer terms, exchange programs and graduate programs are counted in the GPA. When counting back if the last semester credits total more than 60 all credits will be used in the calculation. We do not pick and choose which courses to use or average the semester to equal 60 credits.

Certificate-level and Diploma-level courses, activity courses in phys. ed, studio/performance courses in fine arts, practicum courses, pass/fail courses and seminar/research/thesis courses are not included in the calculation of the admission GPA. Repeated courses, or courses of repeated content of previously passed or failed courses are not included in the calculation. If applying with any courses listed as in progress after January 1st (winter term) of the year of admission they will not be calculated in the GPA calculation.

With the exception of prerequisite courses, courses completed extra to degree (ie, special student, open studies) must be undergraduate senior level (typically 300- and 400-level) to be included in the admission GPA calculation. Courses taken within Alberta can be checked using the Alberta Transfer guide.

We receive 600+ applications each year.

No work or volunteer experience is required, though it may strengthen your application.

To be able to submit an application, applicants are required to enter their personal information, complete educational history and upload transcripts.

All other supporting documents (CV, updated transcripts, department checklist, English language tests) can continue to be uploaded into the application AFTER it has been submitted up to the January 31st application deadline.

To submit an application applicants must sign a declaration stating that all information provided is true. Once this declaration is signed and the application is submitted applicants can not make any changes to their personal information, or educational history. This information must be correctly entered BEFORE the application is submitted. Failure to list, and provide transcripts for all academic institutions ever attended may be considered an intentional omission and will lead to the cancellation of your application for admission, or withdrawal of your offer of admission. See the Application Requirements for Academic Documents webpage for additional document information.

For instructions regarding applying while still completing a degree, or taking courses see the Transcripts heading on the Admissions webpage. Applicants can also consult the Department Checklist document that is available for download from the Documents section of the online application.

Once an applicant has signed the declaration, paid the application fee and hit submit their application has officially been submitted to the department. It is then the student's responsibility to ensure all supporting documents have been uploaded to their application. To submit documents after the application has been completed applicants must log into the application system under Submitted Applications. If applicants do not log in under Submitted Applications they will not be able to upload documents, see their Application ID or Student ID number.

The CV/Resume and the Department Checklist can be uploaded to any one of the 4 Department Check spots on the application. Two spots will remain blank as CASPer results are sent directly to the department.  Applicants will not upload any documents related to the CASPer exam.

The Statement of Interest is completed as part of the Admissions Selection Questionnaire which is completed using a Google form. This form is NOT uploaded to the GSMS application system.

After submitting an application applicants may see several required action items. These items will most likely pertain to the following application items:

• Transcript/Marksheet English Translation
• Degree Certificate Original Language
• Degree Certificate English Translation

If an applicant completed their degree at a North American University, their degree completion and/or date of confirmation is stated on their transcript, and the mode of instruction was English, or they have not convocate at the time of application they will not be required to upload any of the documents referenced above. These fields can remain blank.

If an applicant completed their degree outside of North America, or in a language other than English they will be required to provide all documents listed.

Applicants will also have two required action item in the Department Check section. Applicants are required to upload their CV and Department Checklist document to any one of the four spots listed. Two spots will remain empty. CASPer results are sent directly to the department, and the Statement of Interest is completed using a google form and is NOT uploaded to the application system.

For a complete list of all required documents consult the Admissions section of our website, or see the FAQ section header "What documents are required by the January 31st deadline?"

The Statement of Interest is part of the Admission Selection Questionnaire/ASRQ which is a mandatory Google questionnaire that all applicants are required to fill out as part of the admission process. 

A link to the Admission Selection Questionnaire/ASRQ can be found in the Department Checklist document that should be downloaded from the GSMS application system as soon as the application is created from the Documents tab.

Once the Admissions Selection Questionnaire/ASRQ is submitted the answers are recorded, applicants do not need to upload anything to the GSMS application system. Applicants that do not complete the Admission Selection Questionnaire/ASRQ will have their application considered incomplete and not reviewed for admission.

Applicants CV, Statement of Purpose, Department Checklist, Transcripts, if applicable test of English language must be uploaded to the online application by January 31st. No hard copies of documents are accepted.

Applicants must also complete the CASPer exam BEFORE the January 31st application deadline. For CASPer information see the FAQ heading "Where can I find more information about the CASPer testing application requirement?"

The January 31 application/document deadline is firm with no exceptions.  Applications missing any required documents will not be reviewed for admission.

Yes, there is a nonrefundable application fee of $135. You must pay it by credit card just prior to the final submission of your online application form.

The department does not have access to a application or any supporting documents until the applicant has paid the $135 fee and submitted their application. Once a application is paid for and submitted applicants have until the January 31 deadline to upload all supporting documents.

Applicants with degrees/qualifications in a language other than English may need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through one of the following exam scores:

• TOEFL: a minimum overall score of 90, with a minimum score of 21 on each of the individual skill areas
• MELAB: minimum score of 85, with a minimum band score of 80, and a minimum score of 3 on the speaking component
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 on each band
• CAEL: overall minimum score of 70, with at least 60 on each subtest
• PTE (Academic): overall minimum score of 61, and a minimum band score of 60

ELP test scores that are more than 2 years old at the time of application will not be accepted.

A differential fee of 100% of all instructional fees is assessed to students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

The online application system opens from November 1 until January 31, 11:59 pm MST.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to start their application early, and to thoroughly read all application information on our website and the department checklist document BEFORE starting their application. Applicants who start their application close to the January 31st deadline may not have time to complete the CASPer exam, obtain appropriate transcripts, have prerequisite courses approved, or have any questions or technical issues answered/resolved by the due date. All emails sent to the department/ through GSMS, will only be responded to during normal business hours.

The admission requirements and deadlines are firm with NO exceptions. We will not grant extensions because applicants started or submitted their applications without sufficient time to complete all requirements by the due date. To be fair to all applicants any applications missing required documents will be considered incomplete and not reviewed for admission.

Total U of A tuition and non-instructional program cost for domestic students is approximately $31,291.81. Total tuition costs for international students are approximately $72,119.04.  This does not include non-instructional fees which is approximately an additional $5000. 

** Estimated fees do not include textbooks, living expenses, etc.

For more information about U of A graduate fees see the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.

Our program is academically challenging and very intensive and we want to ensure success in our program. Work experience, etc. are certainly reviewed to ensure an applicant's proper fit with the program, but a strong history of academic success is very important.

Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply in subsequent years once they have completed more coursework. With the exception of prerequisite courses, courses completed extra to degree (ie, special student, open studies) must be undergraduate senior level (typically 300- and 400-level) to be included in the admission GPA calculation. Graduate course work may also be used.  Course transfer equivalencies taken within Alberta can be checked using the Alberta Transfer Guide.

Unsuccessful applicants may also want to consider registering in an after-degree program or another course-based Master's program. That way, if unsuccessful in gaining admission in subsequent years, the applicant will be on their way to obtaining another credential rather than simply a random collection of coursework.

The following courses are not included in the GPA calculation. Activity courses in phys. ed, studio/performance courses in fine arts, practicum courses, pass/fail courses and seminar/research/thesis courses are not included in the calculation of the admission GPA. Repeated courses of previously passed or failed courses are not included in the calculation. If applying with any courses listed as in progress after January 1st (winter term) of the year of admission they will not be calculated in the GPA calculation.

The program is an intensive, graduate level program requiring independent thinking and initiative. Although it is a course-based program, occasionally some learning opportunities and course-related content are offered outside of the traditional classroom setting. Students are expected to be available and attend all portions of the program which can include seminars or lectures by guest speakers, site visits, etc. even during evenings and weekends. Applicants, particularly those with families or part-time jobs should keep this in mind when considering the program.

With over 600 applicants and only 145 available seats, admission into our program is very competitive. We receive several hundred very competitive applications each year and it is unfortunate that we have to ultimately refuse so many of them.

Due to the volume of applications and the comprehensive, academically challenging nature of the OT program, all applicants meeting the application requirements are first ranked based upon the admission GPA. We then review the entire application and select applicants who present a history of academic success and strong supporting documents.

However, while an applicant may demonstrate a competitive GPA, meeting the admission GPA in a particular year does NOT guarantee admission. All aspects of the application are reviewed to ensure a proper fit with the program and the OT profession.

Successful applicants present applications with extremely strong supporting documents that demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the profession and a compelling desire to be an Occupational Therapist based on their personal, academic and/or professional backgrounds.

Due to the very competitive nature of admission it is strongly recommended that serious applicants apply to more than one OT school in Canada.

The Occupational Therapy program does not conduct applicant interviews.

Applicants are required to upload one transcript (front and back page) from each university, college, technical school, etc. ever attended or are currently attending. Applicants need to request a official transcript from all universities/colleges ever attended in any capacity and either have the transcript sent to you by mail, or request the university to provide you with a PDF. Applicants may open official mailed transcripts from their University and scan them into a PDF. Applicants will then upload this document to their application. All transcripts must be uploaded into a application by the January 31st deadline.

Transcripts should NOT be emailed, mailed or faxed to the department. We will not accept these transcripts or upload them to applications on behalf of a applicant. Transcripts uploaded to the application can not be password protected.  Password protected transcripts will be rejected and the application will be considered incomplete.

If you have started a application and do not have your final official transcripts you may upload unofficial transcripts so you can submit your application. These transcripts MUST be replaced with final transcripts that show all grades, all registration, and that meet the requirements listed on the Application Requirements for Academic Documents webpage.  These transcripts must be uploaded to the application by the January 31st application deadline.  Applications missing transcripts or that have transcripts that do not meet our requirements will be considered incomplete and not reviewed for admission.

Scanned transcripts with watermarks are acceptable and can be uploaded to the application system.

From the time an applicant starts an online application they have 21 days to enter all required information, pay the $135 application fee and submit. If the applicant does not meet this deadline their application will be deleted and they will have to start again.

Transcripts must be uploaded to the application system before applicants are able to submit and pay for their application. All other supporting documents DO NOT need to be uploaded to the application before the 21 days limit. Applicants have until the January 31 st deadline to upload all supporting documents. This includes. The Curriculum vitae/Resume,  Updated Transcripts, Department Checklist, and if applicable ELP test scores.

For instructions regarding submitting an application while still completing a degree, or taking courses see the Transcripts heading on the Admissions webpage. Applicants should also consult the Department Checklist document that should be download from the Documents section of the online application.

For details about supporting documents refer to the Application Document Requirements.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all supporting documents are uploaded to the online application by the January 31 deadline. Applications missing any documents will not be considered for admission.

More information about CASPer testing, including information on how to book a test and testing dates, can be found on the Casper website.

As long as an applicant takes the CASPer exam on one of the dates before January 31 listed under U of A Occupational Therapy the applicant will have met our admissions deadline. Test results will be sent directly to the department.  Applicants will not upload anything related to CASPer to their application.

Your application ID number is not generated until AFTER you submit and pay for your online application. NOTE: it may take 24-48 hours for this number to appear in the portal.  Once you submit your application, the application ID number that starts with 17xxxxxx or 18xxxxxx and will be displayed in your Applicant portal.

To be able to apply, applicants must complete the personal information section, list all academic institutions ever attended, and upload transcripts. All other supporting documents (CV, department checklist and updated transcripts) can be uploaded AFTER the application is submitted, but must be uploaded by the January 31st deadline.

All supporting documents (CV, updated transcripts, department checklist) can continue to be uploaded to a application until the January 31st deadline. Once an applicant has submitted and paid for their application they must now log under the Submitted Applications/GSMS Portal. If a applicant logs in under existing users they will not be able to upload documents.

Resume/CV, and Department Checklist documents should be uploaded in any one of the four Department Check items. Applicants do not need to upload any documents pertaining to the CASPer exam as results are sent directly to the department. Due to this two of the four department check spots will remain blank.

Students are not able to defer their admission to the following year. In cases of severe medical or significant extenuating circumstances, a deferral may be granted by the Admission Committee. For details, applicants may email mscot@ualberta.ca

Applicants have the opportunity to rank their campus choice (Edmonton, Calgary, or Augustana) on the Statement of Purpose/ASRQ Google form which is a required document for the online application.

Once the Statement of Purpose/ASRQ form has been submitted applicants can not make changes to their rankings.

For admission review purposes applicants are classified as out of province or in province based on the address listed on their application.

If offered admission applicants will be required to show proof of Alberta residency.

Accepted documents to prove residency are: Alberta drivers licence or government issued ID card. 

Saskatchewan applicants who are offered admission will be required to show proof of Saskatchewan residency in the form of a valid Saskatchewan health care card.

As noted on our admissions webpage applicants need to have a 4 year 120 credit accredited degree in ANY discipline in order to be eligible to apply to our program. We do not give preference to applicants with any one specific degree, specialty, degrees obtained at a specific University or online vs in person.

NOTE: 3 year degrees, certificate, and diploma courses are not accepted.