Dalhousie's full-time MSc Physiotherapy program prepares graduates to seek physiotherapy licensure through classroom and clinical education. Applicants need a qualifying degree, specified prerequisites, a 3.3/4.3 minimum GPA in their last 60 undergraduate credit hours, qualifying volunteer experience, and Casper. Admission considers GPA and Casper at a 75:25 ratio.
- Program
- Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT)
- Credential
- MScPT
- Location
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- January 31, 2027 (Application and required materials deadline (11:59 p.m. AST))
- Seats
- 62 students
- Length
- 28 months (seven terms), full-time
Casper Requirement for Dalhousie University Physical Therapy
Dalhousie University Physical Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Canada Casper 2 (English)
- Languages
- English
- Other Acuity assessments
- Duet (not required)
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete the Casper test designated for this admissions cycle before the application deadline. Check Acuity Insights for Dalhousie Physical Therapy sittings and its score-distribution deadline.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Dalhousie University Physical Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Dalhousie Graduate Application
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
- Application fee
- CAD $115, non-refundable
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application and required materials deadline (11:59 p.m. AST) | January 31, 2027upcoming |
| Outstanding prerequisites completed | June 1, 2027upcoming |
| Final degree and prerequisite transcript | June 15, 2027upcoming |
Dalhousie University Physical Therapy Admissions Statistics
Period: Past five years
- Seats / class size: 62 students
- Average GPA: 3.946/4.3 average admission GPA
- Non-Atlantic Canadian seats: 4
Four seats are designated for applicants from non-Atlantic Canadian provinces; international applicants are not considered.
Eligibility Requirements for Dalhousie University Physical Therapy
- Degree / credits
A four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent in any field from a recognized institution. Dalhousie also considers a three-year degree plus 30 additional advanced-level university credit hours.
- Residency
Seats are primarily allocated to residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador; four seats are designated for applicants from non-Atlantic Canadian provinces.
- Citizenship
International students are not considered for admission.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency; this includes Canadian applicants educated in French-language high school and university.
Admission pathways
- Atlantic Canadian Black and Indigenous applicants: Eligible applicants who self-identify on the Graduate Application are recommended for admission; this pathway has no fixed seat limit.
- Other equitable admissions groups: Five designated seats each for SOGI applicants, persons with disabilities, Acadians, and members of other racialized groups.
Contact the MScPT Admissions Assistant at ptadmissions@dal.ca or (902) 494-1947 for clarification on degree equivalencies or prerequisite verification.
Other requirements
- Clinical-placement clearance after admission: Before clinical placements, provide required immunization evidence, a satisfactory criminal record and vulnerable sector check, and valid Standard/Intermediate First Aid/CPR Level C or Health Care Provider certification. Immunization is not required to apply.
Selection Factors Dalhousie University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human physiology | 6 credit hours Equivalent to PHYL 1011.03 and PHYL 1012.03. |
| Human anatomy | 3 credit hours Must cover gross human musculoskeletal, visceral, and neurological anatomy. |
| Statistics | 3 credit hours Statistics, research methods, or research design. |
| Life sciences | 3 credit hours Examples include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, and neuroscience. |
| Languages, humanities, and/or social sciences | 6 credit hours At least 3 credit hours in psychology. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Dalhousie considers the last 60 university-level undergraduate credit hours completed by December 31, starting with the current fall session and working backwards. First- or second-year prerequisites taken after a four-year degree are excluded; graduate-level marks are excluded.
- Minimum
- 3.3/4.3 (B+) in the last 60 undergraduate credit hours
The admission minimum is 3.3/4.3. Dalhousie calculates an admissions score using GPA and Casper at a 75:25 ratio.
Admissions tests
- English-language proficiency (required for some applicants): If required: IELTS Academic 7; TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the scale used for tests taken from January 21, 2026; CAEL 70 with no band below 60; or another accepted Dalhousie assessment.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete at least 40 hours of unpaid community volunteering within the two years before applications open. Practicums and internships do not count. Volunteer supervisors must email confirmation directly to ptadmissions@dal.ca by the application deadline.
Supplementary application
Submit two personal statements, two confidential academic references, and transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended through the Graduate Application. Provide an English Language Report if applicable, and have volunteer supervisors email confirmation directly to the School.
How applicants are ranked
Dalhousie considers application completeness, residence, equitable admissions, academic references, and an admissions score calculated from GPA and Casper at a 75:25 ratio when making seat offers. Four seats are designated for non-Atlantic Canadian applicants.
Interview Format at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie's published seat-offer criteria list application completeness, residence, equitable admissions, academic references, GPA, and Casper; they do not list an interview stage.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Dalhousie University Physical Therapy
- Program length
- 28 months (seven terms), full-time
- Structure
In-person, full-time modules combine theory, research, and clinical education, including 30 weeks of placements and more than 1,100 clinical hours across Atlantic Canada.
- Campuses
- Halifax
The curriculum spans diverse topics in physical function, health, and disease and prepares graduates as autonomous health professionals in a variety of interdisciplinary health care settings. Practicum experiences occur across Nova Scotia and beyond, emphasizing hands-on clinical skills. Faculty integrate research opportunities so students can contribute to ongoing physiotherapy advancements.
Campus and facilities
The School of Physiotherapy is in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Health in Halifax, with access to modern labs and simulation centers. Clinical affiliations span hospitals, clinics, and community sites throughout the Maritime provinces. Campus life includes student organizations and wellness resources.
Dalhousie University's Mission and Values
The MScPT curriculum prepares the graduate student to be an autonomous health professional in a variety of interdisciplinary health care settings.
Physiotherapy is a diverse and interesting discipline involving the study of physical function of the human body in health and disease. Our faculty are known...
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report a collaborative environment that supports interdisciplinary training with nursing and health sciences peers. Matriculated students describe the program culture as rigorous yet supportive, with class sizes fostering close faculty connections. Practicum placements provide real-world exposure, though out-of-province students note that limited seats heighten competition.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Dalhousie University Physical Therapy Application
- Check the required courses and calculate your last-60-credit undergraduate GPA.
- Complete at least 40 eligible unpaid volunteer hours and arrange for supervisors to email confirmation.
- Choose the correct-cycle Casper assessment and confirm available sittings with Acuity Insights.
- Arrange two academic references, two personal statements, and all post-secondary transcripts.
- If prerequisites are unfinished, submit proof of registration with your application.
- If applicable, arrange an accepted English-language proficiency report.
- Email ptadmissions@dal.ca about admission requirements.
More About Dalhousie University Physical Therapy
- Admissions contact
ptadmissions@dal.ca or (902) 494-1947
Frequently Asked Questions About Dalhousie University Physical Therapy
Is Casper required?
Yes. Complete the Casper test for this admissions cycle before the application deadline.
What is the minimum GPA?
3.3/4.3 (B+) in the last 60 undergraduate credit hours.
How many non-Atlantic Canadian seats are available?
Four are designated.
What volunteering is required?
At least 40 unpaid community hours within the eligible two-year period, confirmed directly by a supervisor.
Does Dalhousie require an interview?
The published seat-offer criteria do not list an interview stage.
Where can I find Casper test dates?
Check Acuity Insights for Dalhousie Physical Therapy sittings for your cycle.
How are prerequisites counted in GPA?
First- or second-year prerequisites taken after a four-year degree are excluded from the admission GPA.
How are non-Atlantic applicants assessed?
Four seats are designated for non-Atlantic Canadians; GPA and Casper contribute to the admissions score at 75:25.
Sources
- dal.ca: Admissions
- dal.ca: faq
- dal.ca: application
- dal.ca: CASPer
- dal.ca: preparing to apply
- ptcasdirectory.apta.org: Compare Program Admission Requirements
- medicine.dal.ca: mcat requirement
- dal.ca: school of physiotherapy
- dal.ca: msc physiotherapy
- dal.ca: essential skills and attributes
- dal.ca: physiotherapy msc
- scribd.com: Untitled
- shemmassianconsulting.com: mmi interview
- confetto.ai: tips for the mmi at dalhousie university
- medschoolcoach.com: multiple mini interviews
- cdn.dal.ca: College of Pharmacy Practice Interview Questions
Last updated: September 26, 2026