Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa is designed to prepare candidates from both professional and research backgrounds for a career in rehabilitation sciences. This program addresses a wide range of issues, from basic science questions to the psychosocial impacts of health conditions in rehabilitation contexts. Graduates will develop both independent and collaborative research skills, enabling them to contribute significantly to the knowledge base that informs rehabilitation practices. This doctoral program is exclusively available on campus, with no distance learning options.

Program structure

The Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences program is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience over a duration of 48 consecutive months, which equates to 12 full-time terms. The program is offered in both French and English, allowing students to choose their preferred language of instruction. Key features of the program structure include:

Full-time registration status option.
Mandatory thesis component.
On-campus attendance required; no distance courses available.
Comprehensive examination and thesis proposal are integral parts of the program.
Students must complete additional coursework based on their research background and chosen field.

Students also have the opportunity to engage in various research areas, enhancing their academic and practical experience in rehabilitation sciences.

Featured Experiences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences program offers several unique experiences that enrich the educational journey of its students:

Research opportunities in diverse areas such as impairment and rehabilitation, the environment's impact on rehabilitation, and participation in life situations.
Access to cutting-edge research facilities located in the heart of Canada’s capital.
Collaboration with various research institutes and hospitals, enhancing practical learning and networking opportunities.
Interdisciplinary approach to research, allowing students to work with professionals from various health disciplines.
Engagement in community-based research projects that address real-world rehabilitation challenges.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Research Scientist: Conducts studies to advance knowledge in rehabilitation sciences, focusing on innovative treatment methods and interventions.
University Professor: Teaches and mentors students in rehabilitation sciences while conducting research in their area of expertise.
Clinical Research Coordinator: Manages clinical trials and research projects, ensuring compliance with regulations and protocols.
Policy Analyst: Works with government or non-profit organizations to develop policies that improve rehabilitation services and access.
Rehabilitation Consultant: Provides expert advice to healthcare organizations on best practices and evidence-based approaches in rehabilitation.

These roles highlight the diverse opportunities available to graduates, allowing them to make significant contributions to the field of rehabilitation sciences.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Rehabilitation Sciences, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

Master's degree in Health Sciences or a related discipline (e.g., education, health administration, psychology). Overall average of at least 75% (B+), calculated in accordance with FGPS guidelines.

Average time to completion

12 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Doctorate in Rehabilitation Sciences

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. Priority is given to academic references when reviewing students’ applications for graduate studies, therefore, academic references are preferred
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Letter of intent Resume Approval of supervisor: We strongly recommend that you contact potential supervisors early. To be admitted, you must be accepted by a thesis supervisor. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program you wish to apply. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction. To be admitted, one of the two official languages must be mastered as demonstrated by a satisfactory score on one of the language tests recognized by the University.

Note: Applicants are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

Note: Doctoral courses are offered in French and/or English depending on the number of students admitted.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!