You’ve decided you want to become a physiotherapist. Well, before you can do that, you need to be aware of the courses you should take in undergraduate school in order to get into physiotherapy school. All the physiotherapy programs in Canada have their own unique list of prerequisite courses that applicants are required to take in order to be considered for a spot in their program. It’s not enough to have a high GPA, reference letters, and volunteer experience – you need to take the right courses too. In this blog post, we’ve assembled a list of courses that fulfill prerequisite courses to apply to various PT school programs across Canada. It’s important to do your own due diligence to ensure that the course you are taking qualifies to fulfill the prerequisites of the PT programs you are hoping to apply to in the future by checking the requirements of each school. This article is meant to be a starting point to help you plan out which courses you should consider taking and which schools you plan to apply to based on the prerequisite course work.

Before we move into specific courses, it’s important to know how the academic credits in your school work. Most universities in Canada typically consider a full year course as 1 credit and a half year or single semester course as 0.5 credits. However, some schools may have different credit systems. For example, York University in Toronto uses a credit system in which most full-year courses are worth 6 credits and most half-year or single semester courses are worth 3 credits. In order to remove confusion for readers from various schools, we will not use a credit system when describing prerequisite requirements of various PT school programs. Instead, we will refer to full-year courses as “full course” and half-year or single semester courses as “half course”.

Anatomy

One of the most common prerequisite requirements to apply to PT school programs at Canadian universities is anatomy. Specifically, human anatomy. Taking anatomy is a prerequisite for nearly every physiotherapy program, but knowledge of anatomy is essential for understanding how to rehabilitate the many systems of the human body. Most physiotherapy programs will have a small portion of their curriculum dedicated to human anatomy, with the assumption that it is a review for all students as it was a prerequisite to apply to the program. The only program that does not specifically require applicants to take a course in anatomy when applying is Western University. While there is no specific anatomy course requirement for Western University, a course in anatomy will apply towards the “Science” prerequisite requirement for Western’s physiotherapy program. Some undergraduate programs offer a combined full-year course of anatomy and physiology. Physiotherapy programs may treat this as a half course in anatomy and a half course in physiology. It is always important to check if the anatomy course you are planning to take will fulfill the prerequisite requirements of the school you’re planning to apply to.

Anatomy prerequisite (specific requirement at 10 PT programs)

• Dalhousie University (half course)
• Manitoba University (half course)
• McGill University (half course)
• McMaster University (half course)
• Queen’s University (half course)
• University of Alberta (half course)
• University of British Columbia (half course)
• University of Ottawa (half course – musculoskeletal anatomy)
• University of Saskatchewan (half course)
• University of Toronto (half course)
• Western University (counts towards full course “science” prerequisite)

Physiology

Another very common prerequisite course requirement for most physiotherapy programs in Canada is physiology. Physiology is a branch of biology that studies the function and mechanisms of living organisms. A fundamental understanding of human physiology is important in order to be able to understand disease processes that are occurring in your future patients. Many physiotherapy school programs in Canada require a full course in physiology. This requirement may also be fulfilled by completing two or more half courses. Some undergraduate programs offer a combined full year course of anatomy and physiology. Physiotherapy programs may treat this as a half course in anatomy and a half course in physiology. As always, check each individual school’s prerequisite requirements to confirm what is and is not considered acceptable to fulfill each course requirement. An important requirement to note for those wishing to apply to the University of British Columbia’s physiotherapy program is that general anatomy/physiology courses will only fulfill half of the requirement. To fulfill the physiology prerequisite requirement, applicants must also complete a course in advanced human physiology.

Physiology prerequisites (specific requirement at 9 PT programs)

• Dalhousie University (half course)
• McGill University (half course)
• McMaster University (half course)
• Queen’s University (half course)
• University of Alberta (full course)
• University of British Columbia (full course)
  NB: MUST be accompanied by advanced human physiology course
• University of Manitoba (full course)
• University of Ottawa (counts towards half course “general anatomy and physiology” prerequisite)
• University of Saskatchewan (full course)
• University of Toronto (full course)
• Western University (counts towards full course “human/mammalian/vertebrate physiology” prerequisite)

Statistics

Some of the essential competencies that physiotherapists must possess are to be able to engage in scholarly inquiry and use an evidence-informed approach in their practice. It’s important for physiotherapists to be scientifically literate in order to be able to build on these competencies. Most physiotherapy programs in Canada will require students to submit a research project prior to graduation. It’s no wonder why statistics is a common prerequisite course for admission to many physiotherapy programs in Canada. Some schools’ course requirements may have a broader category which allows prospective students to apply who have taken either a statistics or research methodology course. We would highly recommend taking both courses if possible. 

Statistics prerequisites (specific requirement at 7 PT programs)

• Dalhousie University (half course)
• McMaster University (half course)
• Queen’s University (half course)
• University of Alberta (half course)
• University of British Columbia (half course)
• University of Manitoba (half course)
• University of Ottawa (counts towards half course ”statistics or research methodology” prerequisite)
• University of Saskatchewan (half course)
• University of Toronto (counts towards half course ”statistics or research methods” prerequisite)
• Western University (counts towards half course ”statistics or research methods” prerequisite)

Psychology

In recent years, medicine and rehabilitation have seen the start of a paradigm shift from the traditional biomedical model of medicine to a biopsychosocial model. The biopsychosocial approach to medicine and rehabilitation suggests that a person’s illness or condition is not solely affected or as a result of biological conditions, rather it is influenced by an interconnection of biological, psychological, and social factors. Psychological factors such as a patient’s beliefs and expectations, mental health, and emotional health can have a profound impact on their rehabilitation. Not only can psychological factors affect a patient’s symptoms and their rehabilitation but the symptoms a patient experiences and the impact of the patient’s injury or disease can also affect a client’s psychological well being. Introductory psychology courses can lay the foundation to understand more in depth psychological factors that relate to patients and the approaches a physiotherapist can take to enhance the rehabilitation process. Five Canadian physiotherapy programs have a specific requirement for a course in psychology as a prerequisite for admission. While other programs may not have a specific requirement for a psychology course, a course in psychology can fulfill a requirement in social science for programs that have a course in social science as part of their requirements.

Introductory Psychology prerequisite (specific requirement at 5 PT programs)

• Dalhousie University (half course)
• McMaster University (counts towards half course in “humanities or social science” prerequisite)
  NB: MUST fall under the Faculty/Department of Humanities or Social Science
• Queen’s University (half course)
• University of Alberta (full course)
  NB: There is a prerequisite specifically for intro to psych, but psychology also counted as a social science to fulfill “humanities/social science” prerequisite
• University of British Columbia (half course NB: any psychology course accepted)
• University of Manitoba (half course)
• University of Ottawa (half course)
• University of Toronto (counts towards full course in “social sciences and/or humanities and/or languages” prerequisite)
• Western University (counts towards full course in “social science or liberal arts” prerequisite)

English Literature

One of the most underrated skills for a physiotherapist is the ability to communicate well. Communication can be used as a tool to help educate and empower patients. It is also an important skill when working in multidisciplinary teams as physiotherapists often do, to help share information, ideas, and advice with other members of the healthcare team. A course in English can be beneficial in developing both written and verbal communication skills in English. Some physiotherapy programs in Canada may have a specific requirement for a course in English literature, while others may have a broader prerequisite category that a course in English literature may fulfill. 

English Literature prerequisite (specific requirement at 3 PT programs)

• Dalhousie University (counts towards half course in “languages/humanities/social science” prerequisite)
• McMaster University (counts towards half course in “humanities or social science” prerequisite.)
  NB: MUST fall under the Faculty/Department of Humanities or Social Science
• University of Alberta (half course)
• University of British Columbia (half course)
• University of Manitoba (full course)
• University of Toronto (counts towards full credit in “social sciences and/or humanities and/or languages” prerequisite)
• Western University (counts towards full course in “social science or liberal arts” prerequisite)

Humanities & Social Sciences

Physiotherapists work with people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Courses in humanities and social science can help physiotherapy school candidates learn about the broad variety of human experiences and cultures around the world, as well as develop their critical thinking, research, and communication skills. Many physiotherapy programs in Canada have a prerequisite requirement of a half or full course in humanities or social science. In some cases, courses in english literature or psychology can fulfill this prerequisite requirement.

Humanities & Social Science prerequisite (specific requirement at 3 PT programs)

• Dalhousie University (half course)
• McMaster University (half course)
• University of Alberta (half course)
• University of Toronto (counts towards full credit in “social sciences and/or humanities and/or languages” prerequisite)
• Western University (counts towards full course in “social science or liberal arts” prerequisite)

Biomechanics

While only the University of Alberta has a specific prerequisite (half) course in biomechanics/human movement, a course in biomechanics of human movement will help create a framework for understanding mechanical principles that help humans move. This knowledge may benefit physiotherapists in understanding how to reduce injury risk, rehabilitate injuries, or educate patients on more efficient ways to move (especially in more compromised states). A course in biomechanics can count towards a broader category of prerequisite course requirements such as the “life and/or physical sciences” prerequisite requirement for the University of Toronto’s physiotherapy program or the “science” prerequisite requirement for Western University’s physiotherapy program.

Biomechanics prerequisite (specific requirement at 1 PT program)

• University of Alberta (half course in “human movement”)
  NB: University of Alberta recommends “Principles of Human Movement for Rehabilitation” course
• Dalhousie University (not required but strongly recommends one or more courses in physics and/or biomechanics)
• University of Toronto (counts towards full course in “life and/or physical sciences” prerequisite)
• Western University (counts towards full course in “science” prerequisite)

Biology

Only the University of Manitoba has a specific prerequisite requirement for a course in introductory biology. A course in biology can count towards broader science prerequisite categories at Dalhousie University, the University of Toronto, and Western University.  If you enjoy learning about biology, consider taking an introductory course in biology to help fulfill a requirement for each of those programs.

Biology prerequisite (specific requirement at 1 PT program)

• Dalhousie University (counts towards half course in “life sciences” prerequisite)
• University of Manitoba (counts towards half course in “introductory biology with genetics content” prerequisite)
• University of Toronto (counts towards full course in “life and/or physical sciences” prerequisite)
• Western University (counts towards full course in “science” prerequisite)

Physics

The only physiotherapy program in Canada to have a specific requirement for a (half) course in physics is the University of British Columbia (UBC). UBC’s physiotherapy program will also accept grade 12 physics to fulfill this requirement, so if you took physics in grade 12 or (an equivalent physics course) then consider this requirement as complete. UBC does not accept a course in biomechanics as a substitute for the physics requirement. 

Physics prerequisite (specific requirement at 1 PT program)

• Western University (counts towards full course in “science” prerequisite)
• University of Toronto (counts towards full course in “life and/or physical sciences” prerequisite)
• University of British Columbia (half course)
  NB: This requirement can be fulfilled with grade 12 physics or out of province equivalent)

Childhood psychology

This prerequisite requirement is unique to the University of Manitoba; however a course in childhood psychology may also fulfill other prerequisite course categories at other Canadian physiotherapy programs. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in paediatric physiotherapy a course in childhood psychology can provide great insight into the mind and behaviour of your future patients.

Childhood Psychology prerequisite (specific requirement at 1 PT program)

• Dalhousie University (may count towards full course in languages/humanities/social science)
• University of British columbia (counts towards half course in “psychology” prerequisite)
  NB: any psychology course is accepted)
• University of Manitoba (half course)
• University of Ottawa (may count towards half course in human psychology)
• University of Toronto (may count towards full course in “social sciences and/or humanities and/or languages” prerequisite)
• Western University (may count towards full course in “social science or liberal arts” prerequisite)

Aging

Once again this requirement is unique to the University of Manitoba’s physiotherapy program. The majority of physiotherapists will work with adults, including older adults. While this course is not a prerequisite for most programs, it is a great elective to consider even if you are not applying to the University of Manitoba’s physiotherapy program.

Aging prerequisites (specific requirement at 1 PT program)

• University of Manitoba (half course)

Canadian Indigenous history

There are many key issues facing Indigenous people in Canada, one of which is the disparities and barriers to accessing appropriate health care. Physiotherapists are well positioned to help contribute towards health equity for Indigenous populations in Canada. Taking a course in Canadian Indigenous history may help future physiotherapists learn how to integrate Indigenous patients’ cultural and wellness preferences into their practice. The University of Alberta is the only physiotherapy program at this time that has a requirement for a course in Canadian Indigenous history for admission to the program. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking a certificate course from Indigenous Canada. University credit courses in Canadian Indigenous history may also count towards humanities requirements for other physiotherapy programs. It is recommended that you check with the physiotherapy program you intend to apply to in order to see if the Canadian Indigenous history course you are planning to take will count towards their requirements.

Canadian Indigenous history prerequisite (specific requirement at 1 PT program)

• McMaster University (counts towards half course in “humanities or social science” prerequisite.)
  NB: MUST fall under the Faculty/Department of Humanities or Social Science
• University of Alberta (can be fulfilled by taking a certificate course from Indigenous Canada)

Summary

Anatomy, physiology, statistics, and psychology appear to be the most common specific prerequisite courses required to apply to Canadian PT programs. Even when not specifically required, these courses can fulfills other categories of course requirements for other PT schools. It’s helpful to understand what the prerequisite course requirements are for physiotherapy programs early in your undergraduate university journey if you intend on applying to physiotherapy schools in Canada. Understanding the requirements for each physio program will help you create a plan on which courses you will need to take to fulfill those requirements while still fulfilling the required courses for your undergrad major to complete your degree. Some of the prerequisite courses for physiotherapy programs may be courses which are already part of your required courses for your undergrad program, but others may need to be taken as electives. Understanding the requirements for PT programs and creating a plan to fulfills those requirements early in your undergraduate degree will give you the best chance to be eligible to apply to more programs, which increases your odds of getting into one of the many competitive physiotherapy programs in Canada.