Application Evaluation Process

Evaluation process for admission

The initial application evaluation process is conducted by the department. The department will do a formal review of your application, verify your reference letters, and make a recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies performs a final review, verifies supporting documentation such as English language test scores and transcripts, and gives final approval to the application.

When the final decision is made, candidates will receive an email from the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies that includes an official offer of admission from the University Registrar and guidance on how to pay their admission deposit to secure their seat in the MSc(OT) program.

You will be able to track the status of your application online. However, final decisions will only be issued in an official letter signed by the University Registrar, and sent to the email address you provided on your Dalhousie University Admission Application.

Atlantic Canada residency

Enrolment in the MSc(OT) - Entry Level program is typically 66 students per year. As we are the only School of Occupational Therapy in Atlantic Canada, Atlantic Canadian residents are given priority consideration for admission.

Protecting your privacy

In order to ensure privacy of information, we are unable to inform you of your wait list ranking or the status of individual applications. Once the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status via the email address provided on your Dalhousie University Admission Application.

Providing equal opportunities

We recognize the need to address the effects of discrimination toward specific groups. We are compliant with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.  

We also follow the Faculty of Health Affirmative Action Policy [PDF - 158 KB] for the admission and education of qualified people who have historically been marginalized and educationally disadvantaged, including people of Aboriginal/Indigenous ancestry (especially Mi'kmaq), members of racialized groups, persons of African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), Acadians, persons with disabilities, and persons belonging to sexual orientation and/or gender identity (SOGI).

If you belong to one of these groups, you have the option to voluntarily provide this information about yourself in the MSc(OT) Supplementary form. Qualified applicants will be given priority in the admissions process.

Students with disabilities

If you have a disability, you have the option of voluntarily provide this information about yourself in the MSc(OT) Supplementary form under the School’s Affirmative Action Policy that is part of the application for admissions. Students accepted to the program who request accommodations for a disability must be registered with the Dalhousie Student Accessibility Centre.