FAQ
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy helps people move better, feel stronger, and live healthier. It focuses on recovery, injury prevention, and improving physical health. If you’re interested in science, health, and helping others, physiotherapy offers a hands-on career where you can make a real difference.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of healthcare intervention that helps people find ways to do daily activities that they need or want to do for greater independence or mental health in everyday life. It helps people to gain or regain the skills they need to the activities that matter the most to them. If you enjoy problem-solving, being creative, and helping others live more independently, occupational therapy could be a great fit for you.
What is the difference between an OTA and a PTA, and where does this program prepare you to work?
Occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) help people develop or regain daily living skills, while physiotherapist assistants (PTAs) focus on improving movement, strength, and physical function. Both work under the supervision of licensed therapists to carry out treatment plans. In this program, you will be trained in both fields, graduating with the skills to support both occupational therapists and physiotherapists in a variety of healthcare settings. Many health care employers expect graduates to perform both roles while some may focus more on one role than another. Dual training is required by most publicly funded institutions. Upon graduation, no further testing or certification is necessary to begin your career.
What are the entrance requirements for this program?
All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements. To find out more, please visit the Admission Requirements section of our website. Students who meet these requirements will be invited to take a pre-entrance health program assessment. All applicants are then ranked and offered admission based on their scores from this assessment. To learn more about the health program assessment visit the Test Center.
Are there bilingual clinical placement opportunities offered in the OTA PTA program?
While the OTA PTA program at Algonquin is offered in English, students may request to complete their placement experiences in bilingual clinical environments throughout the greater Ottawa area. The availability of clinical placements fluctuates and therefore, sites cannot be guaranteed from one semester to another.
How is the OTA PTA program structured and delivered?
The OTA PTA program is a full time program with a single fall semester intake. It is a two-year program spread over four semesters with the summer off between the first and second years. The program is delivered with in person classes, hands on labs, and clinical placements that take place throughout the community.
What clinical placement opportunities are included, and what preparation is needed before you start?
This program includes over 500 hours of clinical placement, arranged by the college. During placement, students deepen their understanding and build confidence by working closely with physiotherapists and occupational therapists in various healthcare settings. Accepted applicants must be in good health to ensure a safe clinical learning environment. Before starting placement, students must complete specific non-academic requirements such as background checks and immunizations. Placement cannot start until these are fulfilled. These steps protect the safety of clients, students, and other health care team members.
Could you become an occupational therapist or physiotherapist after graduating from this program?
No. This program trains you to become an assistant, not a licensed occupational therapist or physiotherapist. You will work under the supervision of therapists to help carry out treatment plans and support clients.
Could you use credits that towards other programs when you graduate?
Yes, there are pathway options that exist towards a bachelor’s degree in health science. To learn more about the pathways available for this program, please use the Pathway Finder Tool. In addition, many universities will recognize credits towards Human Kinetics and other health science-related degrees. Please note that each university has slightly different entrance and minimum grade requirements.
Where would you find a job after graduation?
Graduates possess the foundational theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to work confidently in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, community organizations, rehabilitation centers, private clinics, and long-term care facilities.