Rady Faculty of Health Sciences College of Rehabilitation Sciences: Physical Therapy applicant admission requirements (2027-2028)

November 15, 2026

The selection process for the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program follows the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' Academic Calendar and the Physical Therapy Supplemental Regulations. 

This process is managed by the Selections Committee, which is a standing committee of the Master of Physical Therapy Program Committee within the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. 

If you are accepted into the program, you will be admitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Please read and understand all the information here and in the associated documents before submitting your application.

Programs offered

Master of Physical Therapy – MPT

A. Canadian residency

All applicants must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada at the time of application.

Note: If you can't find your course(s), you can check if the University of Manitoba has assessed courses from your home institution. Courses already assessed for equivalency are listed in the University of Manitoba’s Transfer Credit Resource.

Additional equivalency information

Exceptions to time limits

Exceptions to the time limit may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the MPT chair of admissions if evidence of the application of knowledge can be demonstrated.

• Requesting an exception: A written request, along with supporting documentation (e.g., transcripts, resume), must be submitted by email to the MPT chair of admissions at CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca.

C. Situational judgement test (Casper)

If you're applying to the MPT program at the University of Manitoba, you need to complete the Casper assessment online.

Important dates:

• Test dates: Check the Acuity Insights website for available dates. For fall 2027 admission, you can take the test from July 19, 2026, to December 1, 2026.
• Score release deadline: Make sure to request that your scores be sent to the Physical Therapy program by December 15, 2026.

For more information:

• Casper FAQs: Visit the Casper Frequently Asked Questions page.
• Inquiries: Contact Acuity Insights directly if you have questions about the test, need accommodations, or require financial assistance.

Note: You don’t need to complete the duet assessment for this program.

D. English language proficiency requirements

If English is not your primary language and you don’t qualify for a waiver under the University of Manitoba’s regulations, you'll need to show proof of English proficiency. For a list of countries exempt from this requirement, visit the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.

Physical therapy program requirements:

The Physical Therapy program requires English language proficiency scores that exceed the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies:

• IELTS: You need a minimum overall score of 7.0, including all test components (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).
• TOEFL (iBT): You need a minimum total score of 92, with no sub-score lower than 21.
• TOEFL (iBT 2026) - You need a minimum total score of 5.0, with no sub-score lower than 4.5.

Note: Only IELTS and TOEFL (iBT or iBT2026) tests are accepted.

A. Application Fee

Application availability: Applications for the Master of Physical Therapy program will be available online from August 1, 2026, until November 15, 2026, through the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Submission requirement: Applications are not considered received until the online application is submitted and the non-refundable application fee of $100.00 CDN is paid.

Payment deadline: The deadline to pay the application fee is November 15, 2026.

B. Deadlines and important dates

C. Required application documentation

Upload all supporting documents to the online application portal by November 15, 2026. Your application will be incomplete until all documents are received.

Transcripts:

• List all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended, including exchange, transfer, and letter of permission courses.
• Provide proof of enrolment in current courses.
• Upload updated transcripts for MPT prerequisite courses in progress during fall 2026 by January 31, 2027.
• Inform the Admissions Office at CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca of any deferred exams or grade changes.

Additional documentation:

• Proof of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit heritage: Required for Canadian Indigenous Category applicants. (See Section 4: Selection Process, D. Priorities of Applicants)
• Proof of English proficiency: Required according to English language proficiency requirements. (See Section 2: Eligibility Requirements, D. English Language Proficiency Requirements)
• Special requests: If you have a special request such as a time limit waiver, upload relevant written correspondence from the MPT Chair of Admissions or the MPT Admissions Officer directly in the online application.

Note: Official documents are required only if you’re offered admission.

D. Required post-admission documentation

Criminal record, child abuse, and adult abuse registry checks

Physiotherapy is a self-regulated profession with a mandate to protect the public. These checks are necessary to facilitate completion of the MPT program; they are required for student registration with the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPM) and to engage in clinical placements throughout Canada during the program. The presence of a positive record check could impact a student’s ability to complete the program and/or work as a fully licensed physiotherapist upon completion of the MPT program.

Note: The review process by the Department of Physical Therapy is independent of reviews conducted by clinical sites, regulatory colleges, or future employers.

Additional required documents for successful applicants following admission to the MPT program

In addition to the following checks:

• Criminal record check with vulnerable sector search
• Child abuse registry check
• Adult abuse registry check

Successful applicants to the MPT program must also submit the following:

• Immunization package: A completed package ensuring all mandatory vaccinations are current for clinical placements.
  For more information on immunization requirements, please visit the RFHS Immunization Program website and review the student manual.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification: At the Basic Life Saver (BLS) for Healthcare Provider level or higher, provided by a Heart & Stroke Foundation-certified instructor.
• N95 mask-fit certification: Necessary for participation in clinical placements. Students that are unable to complete respirator fit testing due to medical or religious reasons must reach out to the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education to discuss arrangements.

All costs associated with obtaining required documentation (excluding N95 mask-fit testing) is the responsibility of the student. 

The College of Rehabilitation Sciences will assist with the costs associated with N95 mask-fit testing when arranged for by the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

Note: It is crucial that successful applicants carefully read the information provided by the Department of Physical Therapy to ensure they obtain and submit each document in strict accordance with the processes and timelines indicated.

A. Calculation of last 60 credit hour GPA and prerequisite course reviews

Last 60 credit hour GPA calculation:

Your GPA for the last 60 credit hours is calculated using courses completed by the application deadline of November 15, 2026. Courses completed after this date won’t be included.

For details on how to calculate Canadian and US GPAs, and equivalencies for Canadian universities, check the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.

Key notes on last 60 credit hour GPA calculation:

• Course repeats: Only the higher grade will count.
• Included courses: All university-level courses taken in the last 60 credit hours count, no matter your degree status, session (regular or spring/summer), or enrollment status (part-time or full-time).
• More than 60 credit hours: If you have more courses than are needed to reach 60 credit hours in the last term, we use the highest-level courses first, then the ones with the highest grades.

Prerequisite course reviews:

• Review process: We review prerequisite courses only if you are in the competitive range for a Multiple Mini Interview offer.
• New prerequisites: If a prerequisite course hasn’t been reviewed before, we’ll ask for a detailed course syllabus from you.
• No refund: If a course isn’t equivalent, you won’t get a refund on your application fee.
• Minimum grades: You must meet the minimum grade requirement (‘B’) for prerequisites. Applicants who don’t meet this or lack required courses won’t be considered for interview offers.
• Outside competitive range: Prerequisite courses for those outside the competitive range won’t be reviewed in detail.

B. Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

Applicants with the potential for admission will be interviewed as part of the admissions process. However, eligibility alone does not guarantee an interview.

Decision criteria for interviews: 

The admissions committee considers two main factors when deciding who will be invited for an interview: 

1. GPA: Your last 60 credit hour GPA z-score at the time of application will be weighted at 70%.
2. Casper test scores: Your Casper test z-score will be weighted at 30%. 

Eligible applicants who show strong potential for admission will be invited for an interview. This includes all applicants in the Canadian Indigenous Peoples category who meet the GPA and pre-requisite eligibility criteria.

Interview details:

• Schedule: Interviews will be held on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2027.
• Format: The interview takes the form of the MMI. During the MMI, applicants move between six 10-minute-long stations.
• Content: Applicants will respond to questions about themselves, the profession, the University of Manitoba Physical Therapy program, and specific scenarios.

Interview process:

• Interviewers: Representatives from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and the physical therapy clinical community will conduct the interviews.
• Confidentiality: Interviewers will not have access to applicants' academic information.
• Assessment: Applicants are assessed and assigned an interview score based on their responses to a standard set of interview questions. All applicants must pass the interview process to be considered for admission.

Note: For more detailed information about the MMI, visit the Physical Therapy (MPT) website.

C. Overall Score calculation

The Overall Score is determined by combining the last 60 credit hour GPA and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) score, weighted as follows: 60% for the last 60 credit hour GPA and 40% for the Interview Score.

This is calculated using the formula: Overall Score=(Last 60 credit hour GPA×0.6)+(Interview Score×0.4)

Please note that standardization into a z-score is not shown here, as this calculation depends on the rest of the applicant pool.

D. Priorities of applicants

Canadian Indigenous peoples category

Canadian Indigenous peoples who meet all entry requirements will be given priority for up to 20% of the admission seats. Canadian Indigenous peoples include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Proof of Indigenous ancestry is required, such as a copy of a Status or Treaty card, Métis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card or roll number, or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities, or a letter of verification from their community at the time of application.

Ongomiizwin Education helps students meet their academic potential through a variety of culturally relevant programs, resources and supports. They are available to provide support to Indigenous students during the application process contact Ongomiizwin Education at any time.

First priority: Manitobans

Graduates of the universities within Manitoba who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and Manitoba residents who are graduates of out-of-province universities will be given first priority.

The University of Manitoba defines Manitoba applicants as those who:

• have graduated from a Manitoba high school; or
• have a recognized degree from a university in Manitoba; or
• have completed a minimum of one year of consecutive full-time academic studies in a recognized program at a university in Manitoba, while physically residing in Manitoba; or
• have been a resident in the Province of Manitoba for a minimum of two (2) years at the time of application; the two-year residence period will not be considered broken where the Admissions Committee is satisfied that the applicant was temporarily out of the province on vacation, in short-term volunteer work or employment, or as a full-time student.

Second priority: Canadians who reside in other provinces or territories

Up to five spots will be held for competitive out-of-province candidates who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who are graduates of universities recognized by the University of Manitoba and who are residents of Canadian provinces or territories other than Manitoba.

E. Notification of decision

After the Selections Committee has made its decisions, applicants will receive an email instructing them to log into their application portal to view their decision. If admitted, students must either accept or decline the offer. If the offer is not accepted within 10 days from the date indicated in the letter, it will expire, and the offer will be considered declined. It is important to regularly check both your email and application portal.

Please make sure your email account is up to date and able to receive emails from the University of Manitoba (check your email filters!).

Appeals process

Individuals seeking to appeal a decision of the Selections Committee should refer to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Guide and the University of Manitoba policy on admission appeals procedures and guidelines.

Procedure for appeal

• Applicants requesting a reconsideration of a Selections Committee decision must submit a formal request in writing, including all supporting documentation, within ten (10) business days of receiving the electronic notification of the decision.
• Requests should be sent to the chair of the Admissions and Selections Committees at CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca.

Further appeal

Any appeal of a reconsidered decision must be submitted within ten (10) days following the emailing of the reconsidered decision to the University Secretariat, Room 312 Administration Building, for transmission to the University of Manitoba’s Senate Committee on Admission Appeals.

Note: Applicants should understand that appeals to the Senate Committee on Admission Appeals focus on ensuring correct adherence to published policies and procedures by Selection Committees. The appeals do not consider substantive issues or the relative merit of applications.

The Department of Physical Therapy offers counselling to applicants seeking guidance regarding admission to the Master of Physical Therapy program. It is important to note the following:

Guidance approach

The department's policy is to provide information that enables applicants to make informed decisions rather than instructing them on specific courses of action.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their plans with knowledgeable advisors. However, caution should be exercised as second-hand information about the department's admissions policies may not be accurate.

Admission assurance

No university official can guarantee admission to any applicant. Admission decisions are made annually by the Committee based on competitive criteria.

Formal inquiries

Applicants are advised to submit written inquiries to receive official written responses. Only these written responses can be considered as evidence of advice provided.

For contact information, please refer to Section 8: Contact Information.

The University of Manitoba is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities. If you are a student with a diagnosed disability (permanent, chronic, or temporary) who may require academic accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 204-474-7423 or by email at student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca to learn more about the confidential supports available.

The following other contacts may also be useful: