FAQ

What kind of time requirements are there on a weekly basis per course?
Online courses usually require 10-12 hours per week of time for reading, preparation and participating in online discussions. Some weeks when assignments are due will require additional time.
How much time is spent online per week?
Usually learners need to be reading and responding to class postings 3-4 times per week. Participation (both quality and quantity) is evaluated in all required online courses so the learner must establish ‘a presence’ in the online class. Discussion is in asynchronous time so you have a great deal of flexibility when you ‘attend’ class.
Is the program entirely online or are there in class components?
The part-time program can be done completely online. However, some onsite courses at McMaster can be taken as electives.
Can I take more than one course per term?
Yes we have some learners who take 2 or more courses per term. We suggest you complete one course in order to assess the time and energy required before you double up on courses. Usually it is very difficult to do more than one course well if you are working fulltime and have a demanding family life.
How long can I take to complete the program?
Part-time learners have 3-5 years to complete the program.
I have a diploma in O.T. (or P.T.). Would I be considered for the program?
We do consider applicants with a diploma in PT or OT on a case by case basis. However you need to demonstrate you are able to complete the academic work through courses taken or presentations done at national/international conferences or publications or research grants that have been funded.
Can I apply for the PhD program if I complete the online course-based MSc?
At McMaster we would consider you for the PhD program if you can demonstrate evidence of research capability such as published papers, grants funded. Other universities might require a qualifying research course.
What kind of computer do I need?
Learners require access to a computer that meets the course technical requirements and can access the Internet on a regular basis. Learners should also be comfortable using a keyboard and have an active E-mail account.

The McMaster University Online Learning System is Avenue to Learn produced by Desire2Learn. It is possible to participate in the program using a Mac or Windows platforms.
In order to get the most of your online experience we suggest learners have computer systems with the minimum hardware and software requirements.

Windows:
Processor: Pentium III at 500MHz or higher
Memory (RAM): 256MB RAM minimum (512MB or more preferred)
Operating System: Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7.

Mac:
Processor: Power Macintosh or higher
Memory (RAM): 512MB or more preferred
Operating System: Mac OS 10.3 or higher

Some courses will need plug-ins such as:
Flash player, QuickTime, Adobe Reader and Java Runtime Environment.