Graduates of the Master of Physical Therapy program demonstrate professional accountability and collaborative practice in diverse environments. They apply an evidence-based approach to physical therapy, seeking out new and relevant research, while evaluating and integrating the information applicable to client-centered practice.
MPT accreditation status
The Master of Physical Therapy program at the University of Manitoba has completed the accreditation review process administered by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC). PEAC is an incorporated body under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and operates as the accrediting agency for physiotherapy education programs in Canada.
The status of Accreditation – Fully Compliant was granted to the program for the period until April 30, 2026. A description of Accreditation – Fully Compliant follows.
More details regarding the definitions of the levels of accreditation are available on the PEAC website or by contacting:
Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada
Suite 26, 509 Commissioners Road West
London, Ontario, N6J 1Y5
226-636-0632
Website: English | French.
Accreditation–fully compliant
- A program is in compliance with 100% of the accreditation criteria within the Accreditation Standards.
- There are no criteria in non-compliance.
- There could be identified concerns that the program must improve upon and report back about in Progress Reports.
- If progress is not made, the program’s accreditation status could be changed to partially compliant or probationary at any time in the six-year accreditation cycle.
Students – important to note
- If a program loses its accreditation status, its students may not be considered graduates of an accredited physiotherapy education program.
- Students must be considered graduates from an accredited physiotherapy education program in Canada in order to be eligible to write the Physiotherapy Competency Exam and be licensed to practice physiotherapy in Canada.
- The program’s accreditation status is important to graduating students with regards to becoming licensed to practice physiotherapy in Canada. It is recommended that students contact the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (alliancept.org) for information regarding the process to become licensed as a physiotherapist in Canada following graduation.
Program details
The MPT program consists of an integrated schedule of academic and clinical components that take place over a two year period.
Expected duration: 2 years
Tuition and fees: Two year’s tuition, then continuing fees in subsequent years (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)
The Master of Physical Therapy curriculum includes a combination of seminars, lectures, clinical skills, laboratory sessions, peer teaching, case studies, tutorials, problem solving exercises, independent study, collaborative group work, and the development of a professional portfolio.
The first year of the program takes place over 43 weeks and consists of:
- 37 weeks of academic study and
- 6 weeks of clinical education.
The second year of the program takes place over 43 weeks and consists of:
- 20 weeks of academic study
- 23 weeks of clinical education and
- a group capstone project interwoven throughout.
For full course descriptions or to view the supplementary regulations , please visit the Academic Calendar.
Professional portfolio
In addition to successfully completing each of the program courses, physical therapy students are expected to create and maintain a professional portfolio.
Portfolios can include:
- course objectives and outlines
- CPR/first aid certificates
- degrees and transcripts
- feedback and evaluations from course work and fieldwork
- goals related to learning and professional development
- health records
- learning logs
- projects
- samples of work selected from assignments and projects
- self-evaluation
- summary of participation in activities
- volunteer work
Clinical education program
Students in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences’ physical therapy program are provided with first-hand supervised experience in clinical settings with real patients.
Internationally educated health professionals
Internationally educated health professionals should visit the access hub for details related to obtaining Canadian credentials.
Admission requirements
The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Master of Physical Therapy program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
The Master of Physical Therapy is a graduate program, which means that you must complete an undergraduate degree, including several required and recommended courses, before you can be considered for admission.
Please note: there are new requirements beginning in the 2024-25 session.
- Master of Physical Therapy Applicant Information Guide 2023-24 (PDF)
- Master of Physical Therapy Applicant Information Guide 2024-25 (PDF)
Language proficiency
In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
An acceptable English Language Proficiency test score is required, if applicable. Please note that Physical Therapy requires scores above the FGS minimum requirement, as follows:
- IELTS - A minimum overall score of 7.0 and must include all components of the test (i.e., listening, reading, writing and speaking).
- TOEFL (iBT) - A minimum total score of 92 is required, with no sub-score lower than 21.
Only the above test types will be accepted.
Prerequisite course equivalencies for other institutions
| Prerequisite Courses | University of Manitoba | Université de St. Boniface | University of Winnipeg | Brandon University | Canadian Mennonite University | Athabasca University |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy (3 credit hours) |
BIOL 1410 or |
BIOL-1112/6 |
15:132 or 94:132 or 15:171 with 15:172 |
BIOL 235 |
||
| Physiology of the Human Body (3 credit hours) |
BIOL 1412 or |
BIOL 1413 or |
BIOL-1112/6 or KIN-2204/3 |
Same requirements as Human Anatomy |
Same requirements as Human Anatomy |
|
| Introductory Psychology (3 credit hours) |
PSYC 1201 or PSYC 1211 or |
PSYC‑1000/6 |
82:160 or 82:161 |
PSYC 1000 or PSYC 1010 or |
PSYC 289 or PSYC 290 |
|
| Basic Statistical Analysis I (3 credit hours) |
STAT 1000 or PSYC 2250 or |
STAT 1001 or |
STAT 1301/3 or STAT‑1302/3 or STAT‑1201/6 or STAT‑1501 or PSYC‑2101/3 |
62:171 or 82:250 with 82:251 |
MATH 1000 or PSYC 2040 |
MATH 215 or SOCI 301 |
| English (3 credit hours) |
ENGL 1200 or ENGL 1300 or ENGL 2000 or ENGL 1340 or |
FRAN 1001 or FRAN 1071 or |
ENGL‑1001/6 or ENGL‑1000/3 or ENGL‑1003/3 or ENGL‑1004/3 |
30:151 or 30:153 or 30:161 or 30:162 |
ENGL 1010 or |
ENGL 211 or ENGL 212 or ENGL 255 or ENGL 302 |
Applicants with a grade lower than ‘B’ (3.0) in Introductory Psychology can use a higher level Department of Psychology [with a grade of ‘B’ (3.0) or higher] to fulfill the 3 credit hour psychology requirement.
New beginning in 2025-2026 the MPT program is introducing a 3 credit hour Indigenous Studies prerequisite requirement. Accepted courses include INDG 1200, INDG 1220, INDG 1240, INDG/HIST 2010, INDG/HIST 2020, INDG 2080 and their equivalencies from other institutions.
How to submit a course for prerequisite review
If you are unable to find your course(s) listed in the guide to prerequisite course from other institutions, you can check to see if the University of Manitoba has previously assessed courses from your home institution. Courses that have been assessed for equivalency are located in the University of Manitoba’s Transfer Credit Equivalencies database.
Courses from other Canadian institutions may have been assessed directly by the Master if Physical Therapy program Admissions Committee and are therefore able to be used as prerequisite requirements for the program, but are not included in the database above. If you are unable to find your course(s) listed in the Transfer Credit Equivalency database above, please email the Physical Therapy Admissions Officer at CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca to see if your course has previously been assessed for equivalency by the Department of Physical Therapy.
If your course has not been previously assessed, you will be notified to submit:
- A completed Prerequisite Recognition Request Form (PDF)
- A detailed course syllabus
Submit the completed Prerequisite Recognition Request form and detailed course syllabus to CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca.
Courses will be reviewed and assessed for equivalency by the MPT Chair of Admissions. Email notification will be provided with the outcome.
In order for prerequisite pre-assessments to take place prior to the November 15th MPT application deadline course requests must be submitted to our office no later than October 1st.
Applicants with course work not previously reviewed and approved or submitted for pre-assessment (prior to October 1st) are asked to email their course syllabi to our office at CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca at the time of application.
Questions about prerequisites
Please contact us if you have questions about prerequisites.
CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca
How to apply
Applications for the Master Physical Therapy program are accepted once a year for Fall entry. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:
- $100 application fee (non-refundable)
- Unofficial copies of transcripts
- CASPer test
- Proof of English language proficiency, if required
CASPer test results are valid for just ONE admissions cycle. Therefore, even if you have taken the CASPer test in previous years, you will still be expected to re-take it.
Duet assessment offered by Acuity Insights is not required for the application.
Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.
Application deadline
CASPer test
About the CASPer test
Applicants to the Master of Physical Therapy program are required to complete the CASPer test.
This online evaluation assesses personal and professional characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program.
Assessments offered by Acuity Insights include CASPer and Duet. CASPer is the only one that you must complete.
You will need
In order to take CASPer, you must have access to:
- A laptop or desktop computer
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Reliable high-speed internet connection (speed of at least 1.5 Mbps and upload speed of at least 2 Mbps)
- Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)
You must also be prepared to present government-issued photo ID.
Registration
To register for the test (CSP-10201 Canadian Professional Health Sciences), visit Acuity Insights and register under your specific country using a piece of government-issued photo ID.
Ensure you have selected Masters in Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba for distribution before the posted distribution deadline.
When registering, please use an email address that you check regularly and that you have used for your application as there may be updates to the test schedule.
You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times, which have been pre-arranged and approved by your program in accordance with admissions timelines.
Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test based on your program selection. There will be no additional tests scheduled.
IMPORTANT: To account for identity verification and payment processing timeline, ensure that you register for your test at least three days before your preferred test date and time. Last-minute bookings are not recommended.
Requesting accomodations
If you require testing accommodations for CASPer, you will need to submit the accommodations request form at least four weeks in advance of your desired test date.
Questions?
Please direct any inquiries on Acuity Insights Assessments to support@acuityinsights.app. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the acuityinsights.app website.
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
The Multiple Mini Interview process is a series of 10-minute interviews that evaluate potential students’ personal characteristics that are important for success in health sciences.
Offers for an interview will be sent via email in mid-February; an immediate response will be required.
MMI dates: Saturday, March 9, 2024 and Sunday, March 10, 2024
About the MMI
Personal characteristics being evaluated include:
- ethics
- communication
- team player
- critical reasoning skills
- reflective
- strong interpersonal skills
- accountability
- good judgment
- flexibility
- empathy
- maturity
This interview method provides an opportunity for applicants to apply general knowledge and personal experiences to issues relevant to the society in which they live and the health care systems in which they hope to work.
The MMI gives the candidates a new opportunity with every station. The MMI provides flexibility in questions not available in traditional interviews. Research has shown that it is more fair for the candidates.
Note: All applicants attending interviews will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement to ensure the security of interview scenarios.
Logistics
- Six 10-minute stations (two simultaneous tracks)
- Two minutes to read question and eight minutes to perform
- Virtual candidates will circulate to each interviewer in a breakout room
- One global score per candidate per station
- Total duration: 60 minutes
Interviewers
- May be physiotherapists, faculty, students or community members
- Have been given specific instructions on what they can and cannot ask
- Are not aware of your grades or the status of your application
- Will give you one global score
- If you know the interviewer, continue on
Discussion stations
An scenario will be posted which you are to discuss with the interviewer. Interviewers have been provided with background information on each station. They will engage with you in discussion. They may or may not ask questions specific to the issue.
Key points
Read the question carefully. Make short notes for yourself if you wish. Always answer the question. There is no right or wrong answer. Speak clearly and articulate your ideas as best as you can, based on your knowledge and life experiences.
Practice questions
Preferential Admission (Societal Health Issues in Canada)
Due to the shortage of physical therapists in rural communities, it has been suggested that physical therapy programs preferentially admit students who are willing to commit to a two or three year tenure in an underserviced area upon graduation.
Consider the broad implications of this policy for health and health care costs. For example, do you think the approach will be effective? At what expense? Discuss this issue with the interviewer.
Critical thinking
Universities are commonly faced with the complicated task of balancing the educational needs of their students and the cost required to provide learning resources to a large number of individuals.
As a result of this tension, there has been much debate regarding the optimal size of classes. One side argues that smaller classes provide a more educationally effective setting for students, while others argue that it makes no difference, so larger classes should be used to minimize the number of instructors required.
Discuss your opinion on this issue with the examiner.
Clinical education program
The clinical education program is a series of practice-based courses interspersed throughout both years of the MPT program. These courses provide students with the opportunity to transfer their knowledge and skills from the classroom into real life physical therapy practice, gain confidence and develop strong patient care skills.
Students work alongside experienced clinical educators in the community. Opportunities are provided throughout the province in a variety of health care settings, including private physiotherapy clinics, community rehabilitation centers and acute hospital-based care.
Clinical education is guided by the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Master of Physical Therapy Program, Clinical Education Policies. All information regarding program requirements, attendance, professional behaviour, evaluation, out of province/international opportunities and more can be found here.
General schedule for clinical placements
MPT Year 1 – April – August - 6-week neuromusculoskeletal placement
MPT Year 2 – October – December - 6-week neuromusculoskeletal and 5-week cardiovascular/pulmonary placement
MPT Year 2 - April – August - 6 week neurosciences placement and 6-week elective placement
Expectations of clinical instructors
Requirements
To be a clinical instructor you must:
- Be a fully licensed physiotherapist in good standing with the regulatory body (College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba for MB clinicians)
- Have a minimum of one full year of clinical experience
We strongly recommend educators complete the training modules from Western University (available in the clinical instructor resources section)
Expectations
As a clinical instructor, you are expected to:
- Be a positive role model
- Prepare your workplace/caseload in advance of the student’s start date
- Provide an orientation
- Make time to assist the student and provide supervision based on the student’s level of experience
- Offer learning opportunities that allow the student to fulfill their learning objectives, as discussed with the student using the Clinical Learning Contract
- Provide feedback and encourage student self-reflection at appropriate intervals to promote continuous learning
- Complete the ACP evaluation tool at midterm and final with the student
- Contact the academic coordinator of clinical education if you have any concerns about student performance
Clinical instructor resources
Western University Preceptor Education Program (PEP)
Western University’s Preceptor Education Program is an online program designed to help prepare students and clinical instructors for clinical placements. The feedback module is strongly recommended prior to the student placement commencing.
Past Clinical Educator Workshops
Prior to the clinical rotations in the spring and fall, the Clinical Education team hosts workshops for new and seasoned clinicians to attend.
For those who are unable to attend, past workshops are made available for viewing. The Spring 2022 workshop “Setting up for Success” can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC43H9JCo3cGyn5X7PpZp6w/featured
Canadian Physiotherapy Assessment of Clinical Performance (ACP) 2.0 Online Learning Module
The ACP is the evaluation tool used for all clinical placements at the University of Manitoba and is completed by both the student and the clinical instructor at midterm and final. The ACP 2.0 online learning module (https://app.rehab.utoronto.ca/ACP2.0) is a self-paced module that provides insight into the tool and how to complete each section. We recommend clinicians review the module prior to taking their student.
HSPnet
All ACP evaluations are completed on HSPnet for University of Manitoba students. Once a student has been allocated to you, you will receive an email from HSPnet with a link and instructions as to how to access the evaluation. Check your junk mail as this email is often filtered to the junk folder. If you have any issues related to HSPnet please reach out to us at ptclined@umanitoba.ca.
Providing feedback
Providing feedback is at the heart of clinical education. Cognitive psychologist, Dr. LeeAnn Renninger shares her scientifically proven method in this short, 5 minute TED talk, “The Secret To Giving Great Feedback, The Way We Work” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtl5UrrgU8c). You will pick up great tips to improve your ability to deliver effective feedback with improved buy in from the student.
OT Fieldwork Educator Tips Blog
Our OT colleagues at the University of Manitoba maintain a fieldwork educator blog covering many different topics related to supervising students during their fieldwork/clinical placements, such as tips for providing feedback, how to create safe learning environments, tips for 2:1 model, how to support the struggling student, and more. You can find it here. (http://fieldworkeducatortips.blogspot.com)
General clinical education documents
Clinical education contacts
Kelly Codispodi
Academic coordinator of clinical education
Department of physical therapy
kelly.codispodi@umanitoba.ca
Maureen Walker
Assistant academic coordinator of clinical education
Department of physical therapy
maureen.walker@umanitoba.ca
Rhonda Van Veggel
Administrative coordinator, clinical placements
Department of physical therapy
ptclined@umanitoba.ca
Practice community
Opportunities for collaboration
The department of physical therapy welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the clinical community on research projects; education or training workshops; and emerging service opportunities.
To discuss potential collaborating opportunities, please contact Dr. Mark Garrett, head of the department of physical therapy, at 204-480-1379, or mark.garrett@umanitoba.ca.
Teaching opportunities
Teaching opportunities periodically become available in the department of physical therapy.
If you are interested in guest lecturer, lab instructor, tutorial leader or other teaching opportunities, please contact Dr. Mark Garrett, head of the department of physical therapy, at 204-480-1379, or mark.garrett@umanitoba.ca.
Learn more
Contact us
Admission and application inquiries
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Program inquiries
College of Rehabilitation Sciences
R106 - 771 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T6
CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-789-3897
Fax: 204-789-3927