Pre-Occupational Therapy

Year 1-3: Pre-Occupational Therapy at The University of Winnipeg

• Each occupational therapy program has its own entrance requirements. To meet the entrance requirements for Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba, you will complete at minimum a three-year (90 credit hour) degree, including the “Pre-Professional Requirements” below.
• You will graduate with an undergraduate degree in any faculty from UWinnipeg. The degree you earn will depend on your course selection; while there are required and recommended courses, there is no one degree or program that is required to enter occupational therapy.

Years 4-5: Professional Studies: Occupational Therapy

• During your pre-professional studies at The University of Winnipeg, you will apply for admission to occupational therapy at another university.
• Enrolment in occupational therapy programs is limited, and only qualified applicants are chosen.
• At least two more years of study are required to complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

The School of Medical Rehabilitation at the University of Manitoba offers a two-year Professional Master’s Degree Program in Occupational Therapy. Before entering the program, students must have completed at minimum an undergraduate degree in any faculty, as well as the specified prerequisite courses. A minimum grade point average of B (3.0) in the last 60 credit hours is required, and all prerequisite courses must have a grade of B or higher.

The courses listed below are University of Winnipeg courses that satisfy the University of Manitoba’s prerequisite courses for the Professional Master’s Degree Program in Occupational Therapy:
- BIOL-1112(6) Human Anatomy & Physiology OR
KIN-2301(3) Human Anatomy AND KIN-2204(3) Introduction to Human Physiology

- Psychology – Most courses in the Department of Psychology will be considered (e.g. PSYC-1000(6).

- Social Science - Most courses in Sociology meet the Social Science requirement (with the exception of research methods courses).  Cultural Anthropology and Human Geography courses will also be considered. (e.g.SOC-1101, ANTH-1002, GEOG-1102), and courses that focus on the social situations of specific populations (for example courses from Disability or Gender Studies Departments). Indigenous content courses that address the historical, political, social, and/or economic context and contemporary issues of Canadian Indigenous Peoples will also be considered for this requirement.

There are many other courses that will add to your background knowledge. Courses related to human development (child, adolescent, adult), health studies, kinesiology, and higher level behavioural and social sciences are especially helpful. Courses that emphasize academic writing will also be of benefit.

Please see UManitoba Occupational Therapy admission documentation for details.  As requirements may change from year to year, students are encouraged to review all admission documentation yearly.
Visit Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Explore UM | University of Manitoba (umanitoba.ca)

NOTE: For students applying for admission in Fall 2026 and later, the MOT Program admission requirements will change. The Social Science requirement will change to a 3-credit hour Indigenous Content course requirement. At this time, the following courses from the University of Winnipeg will meet this requirement: IS-1015(3), IS-1016(3), IS-1017(3), IS-2020(3). IS-2040(3), IS-3101(3), IS-4020(3), IS-4021(3), IS-4022(3), HIST-1006(3), HIST-3523(3) and CRS-2443(3)

In Canada, approximately 15 universities offer occupational therapy programs, most at the Master’s level, which is now the level required to enter the profession.  Explore your options at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website: www.caot.ca 
NOTE: You must consult with the school where you plan to complete your studies in Occupational Therapy to ensure you choose an appropriate set of courses to meet their entrance requirements.

You must meet The University of Winnipeg’s general admission requirements. In addition, Pre-Calculus Math 40S or Applied Math 40S is required to take some courses in pre-occupational therapy. Biology 40S, Chemistry 40S, and Physics 30S or 40S are strongly recommended.

What if I don’t have these high school courses? You can take “Foundation” courses at UWinnipeg that are equivalent to high school-level math and science (MATH-0041 & MATH-0042; CHEM-0100) or complete high school courses at The Collegiate.