Physical Therapy
Dean: Dr. Reg Urbanowski
Head: Dr. Catherine Bilyeu
Campus Address/General Office: P304 - 770 Bannatyne Avenue, Bannatyne Campus
Telephone: 204-789-3897
Fax: 204-789-3927
Email Address: CORS.PTprogram@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/rehabilitation-sciences/physical-therapy
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Physical Therapy website for Academic staff information.

Physical Therapy Program Information

The Master of Physical Therapy is an entry-to-practice education credential that is for individuals who do not have a previous degree in physical therapy and/or for those individuals who are not eligible to practice in Canada with their current academic preparation.  

The Master of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Manitoba has been accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC). The status of Accreditation – Fully Compliant was granted to the program for the period until April 30, 2026. On December 19, 2025, PEAC extended the program’s accreditation award expiry date from April 30, 2026 to June 30, 2026.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.

M.P.T. Admission Requirements

Requirements include: completion of a previous undergraduate degree, in any area of study; minimum grade point average of 3.25 in the last 60 credit hours of study; equivalent IB and/or AP courses will be accepted in lieu of prerequisite courses; successful completion of the Multiple Mini-Interview; a minimum grade of a 3.0 or a “B” in the following prerequisite courses:¹

• Human Anatomy (3 credit hours)
• Human Physiology (3 credit hours)
• Introductory Statistics (3 credit hours)
• Psychology (minimum of 3 credit hours from a Department of Psychology)
• English Literature (minimum of 3 credit hours from a Department of English or a 3 credit hour French Literature course when approved)
• 3 credit hour Indigenous Studies course

¹

All prerequisite courses need to be completed by the Fall term in the year prior to entry. Equivalent academic courses completed at the University of Manitoba or recognized universities elsewhere will be considered.

English Language Proficiency: For those not educated in English, the Department of Physical Therapy complies with the English language requirements established by the University of Manitoba Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators and the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba. These minimum scores are required to be admitted into the Faculty of Graduate Studies; to be licensed as a student physical therapist in Manitoba; and to be considered eligible to sit the national Physiotherapy Competency Examination upon graduation.  For more details on acceptable English Language Proficiency tests, see the M.P.T. program of study page.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation (if applicable) by the date indicated on the Physical Therapy M.P.T. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

Students in the M.P.T. program must complete 103 credit hours of coursework. All academic and clinical education courses and a professional portfolio must be successfully completed in order to graduate.

Clinical Education Requirements

Clinical education is integrated throughout the M.P.T. program and typically follows major academic components to consolidate knowledge and skills learned in class. It consists of 5x 6 week clinical placements at a variety of sites across the Province. All students should be prepared to complete a minimum of one clinical placement outside of Winnipeg during the course of the program. Students must fulfil the health-related certifications, background checks and licensing requirements outlined below in order to participate in clinical placements. Additional information regarding these requirements is sent to new applicants following their acceptance into the program.

Health Requirements

Following their acceptance into the program, all new M.P.T. students will receive instructions regarding completion of the Immunization Package from the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Immunization Program. Students are required to return their completed packages, including immunization records, by the date published in the packages.

Mask Fit Certification

Student and client safety on clinical placement is a priority. Current N95 mask fit certification is required in order to participate in clinical placements at many public health sites. The MPT program will organize fit tests for students upon entry into the program. Accommodations can be made for students unable to meet the fit test requirements (i.e. clean-shaven face).

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

M.P.T. students are required to obtain CPR certification annually. Certification must be through a Heart & Stroke Foundation certified course at the level of Basic Life Support· BLS Provider or higher (e.g. Advanced Cardiac Life Support·ACLS). Students must provide proof of certification by October 1 of every year while in the program, and the certification must have an issue date no earlier than August 1 of that year.

Criminal Record Check, Adult Abuse Registry Check and Child Abuse Registry Check

M.P.T. students are required to obtain and submit a Criminal Record Check with vulnerable sector search as well as both an Adult and Child Abuse Registry Check annually in order to participate in clinical placements. Students must submit the checks by September 1 of every year while in the program. The checks must not be dated any earlier than August 1 of that year. 

College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPM) Registration

M.P.T. students must obtain student registration with CPM by September 15 of every year while in the program in order to participate in clinical placements. Students must submit their original Criminal Record Check with their application form and fee when registering with CPM.

Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years

Progression Chart

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Prior to registration, all new and returning students must meet with their advisor to determine their program of study. All course additions and withdrawals (registration revisions) must be approved in the same manner.

Course registration information for the incoming first year students will be forwarded to them by the Department/Program Assistant. Returning students will have course registration information sent to their U of M email account.

Not all courses will be offered each year. Please check the Aurora catalog to find out when a course is offered.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Academic Schedule

Dates applicable to Physical Therapy

Start and End Dates

Registration and Withdrawal Dates

Last Date to Drop without Penalty

Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) Deadline

Term Breaks

The academic and administrative offices will be open during this period, but there will be no classes/examinations held for students.

Academic Schedule Fall/Winter Term 2026-2027

Dates Applicable to all UM Students 

University Closure

When the University is closed no classes/examinations will be held, and course assignment deadlines will not be set on dates where the University is closed.

Dates Applicable to most UM Students

Some additional or differing date information is included in separate sections for: Agriculture Diploma, Applied Human Nutrition, Architecture, Art (School of), Dental Hygiene, Dentistry (includes IDDP), Education (B.Ed. only), Management, Medicine (excludes Family Social Sciences), Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant Studies, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule. 

Orientation

Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Applied Human Nutrition, Dental Hygiene, Education (B.Ed. only), Management, Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Start and End Dates

Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Applied Human Nutrition, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Education, Management, Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant Studies, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Registration and Withdrawal Dates

Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma and other faculties, colleges and/or schools offering irregularly scheduled courses. Agriculture Diploma students should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule; all others should also refer to the Class Schedule.

Regular Registration Period

Registration Revision Period

Students may use this period of time to make changes to their selected courses or class schedule. Last day to drop is 1 business day prior to the end of the Registration Revision Period.

Last Date to Drop without Penalty

Last date to drop and have course excluded from transcripts; VWs will be recorded on transcripts for courses dropped after this date. There will be no refunds for courses dropped after this date. Additional or differing dates exist for Agriculture Diploma; students in this program should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Last Date to Register/Registration Revision Deadline

Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) Deadline

Last date to withdraw and not receive a final grade; students cannot withdraw from courses after this date

Fee Payment Deadlines

A financial penalty will be assessed on accounts with an outstanding balance after this date.*

*

Please see the Last Day to Drop without Penalty

Term Breaks

Academic and administrative offices will be open during this period; no classes, tests or assignment due dates occur during this time. Additional or differing dates exist for: Applied Human Nutrition, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Education (B.Ed. only), Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Respiratory Therapy. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Examination and Test Dates

Students are reminded that they must remain available until all examination and test obligations have been fulfilled. Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Applied Human Nutrition, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Pharmacy. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule. Students in faculties, colleges, schools or programs offering irregularly scheduled courses should also see the exam timetable available through their program office.

Challenge for Credit Application Deadline

Final Grade Appeal Deadlines

Graduation and University Convocation

Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates will be awarded at Convocation. Graduation date may differ from Convocation Ceremony date.

For students graduating Fall 2026

For students graduating February 2027

For students graduating Spring 2027

*

Last date for receipt by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies of Theses/Practica and reports on Theses/Practica, comprehensive examinations, and project reports from students, and lists of potential graduands from departments.

Dates for Summer Term

Start and End Dates (Generally Monday to Thursday classes)

Classes on Monday, May 24^th will be made up on Friday, May 28^th

Classes on Monday, August 2^nd will be made up on Friday, August 6^th

May - August courses will have no classes scheduled Monday, June 21^st to Friday, July 2^nd

Registration and Withdrawal Dates

Regular Registration Period

Registration start dates are to be determined by the Registrar’s Office.

Late Registration/Registration Revision Period

Students may use this period of time to make changes to their selected courses or class schedule.

Last Date to Drop without Penalty

Last date to drop and have course excluded from transcripts; VWs will be recorded on transcripts for courses dropped after this date. There will be no refunds for courses dropped after this date. 

Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) Deadline

Last date to withdraw and not receive a final grade; students cannot withdraw from courses after this date.

Fee Payment Deadlines

*

A financial penalty will be assessed on accounts with an outstanding balance after this date. (determined by Financial Services)

Examination and Test Dates

Students are reminded that they must remain available until all examination and test obligations have been fulfilled.

Challenge for Credit

Courses

Physical Therapy