Occupational Therapy improves life participation through rehabilitation, adaptation, equipment acquisition, and health promotion. Occupational Therapists are health professionals who work with their clients, of all ages and abilities, to assume or resume the skills they need to complete the occupations involved with the job of living. These occupations involve tasks or activities that occupy your time and energy, such as bathing or mowing the lawn. Occupations vary with age, abilities, interests, and responsibilities, and can be affected by illness, disease, or circumstance. Occupational Therapists work with people to achieve their occupational goals of everyday life.

• OT Profession Fact Sheet
• Occupational Therapy Scope of Practice

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at the University of Saskatchewan is the newest occupational therapy academic program in Canada. This 27-month program is grounded in the national Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to deliver culturally relevant, inclusive, effective, and ethical care across multiple settings.

The MOT program provides students with a comprehensive education that integrates theory, practice and extensive clinical placement experience including over 1,000 clinical hours. The program places emphasis on the unique needs of Saskatchewan communities including Indigenous, remote, rural, and urban communities.

• Academic Requirements

Clinical education is the “internship” or “clinical practicum” part of the MOT program.

The MOT program includes 30 weeks of clinical placements in a variety of practice settings throughout Saskatchewan. Clinical placements are integrated into the curriculum, allowing students to apply and develop the skills learned in class within real clinical environments.

Students are required to experiencea range of diversity in clinical placements. Clinical placements will collectively provide exposure to: 

• People of different age groups
• People who have recently acquired and/or have long-standing health needs
• People with primary mental health needs, as well as people with physical health needs
• Interventions that focus on people, occupations, and the environment

(World Federation of Occupational Therapists. (2026). Minimum standards for the education of occupational therapists (Revised 2026 ed.). World Federation of Occupational Therapists.)

Students are required to complete clinical placements in both urban and rural communities. Placement lengths vary, and students may be assigned to two or more locations outside of Saskatoon.

Students are expected to cover accommodation and travel costs for placements outside of Saskatoon, which typically last 5–6 weeks each. This includes expenses related to housing, food, transportation, mileage, and other placement-related costs. A travel bursary may be available toward the end of the program to help offset some of these expenses.

Before placements are assigned, students have an opportunity to provide their location preferences. While the clinical education team works to accommodate student preferences whenever possible, placement offers are based on community availability and educational requirements.

Out-of-province placements may be available on a limited basis in Year 2 and Year 3. These placements are arranged by the school and are not guaranteed.