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Clinical hours necessary to obtain membership in both the national associations and provincial licensing bodies for each profession are included within the professional Master's programs (M.Sc.A.(Occupational Therapy) and M.Sc.A.(Physical Therapy)). This standard is compatible with the licensing requirements in other provinces where legislation is in force.

During the course of study, students may be assigned to clinical placements outside of Montreal and/or in rural areas within the province of Quebec. Students are expected to budget for this in planning for their funding for degree completion.

All clinical teaching sites within the À¦°óSMÉçÇø catchment area require students to have a working knowledge of both English and French. In order to participate in the best and most varied fieldwork experiences, students must prepare themselves to work in both languages.

Applicants who are not proficient in French are strongly urged to improve their French spoken and written communication skills before starting clinical placements. A list of helpful resources may be found here. French is the official language in Quebec and thus health and social services administered by the Ministry of Health are bound by the Charter of the French Language. In order to provide essential and safe care to all patients within a Quebec-based healthcare setting, students must achieve an appropriate level of French before entering their respective health program’s clinical affiliations where they integrate their knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This will ensure all students have every opportunity to maximise their learning with all patients, families, and fellow health care workers they meet during their studies at À¦°óSMÉçÇø. Applicants often wonder whether their current ability in French will allow them to meet the linguistic demands of studying in a professional health program at À¦°óSMÉçÇø. Some of the clinical communication competencies you will exercise during your studies include: listening to a client or their family describe the reason for consulting, asking questions to learn more, explaining a condition in formal and informal terms, and communicating with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists. This could be in-person, on the phone, or with written documentation. The suggested minimum level of proficiency is an intermediate level. If needed, we suggest the Canadian Language Benchmark () as a self-assessment tool. The questionnaire can provide applicants with a good sense of the adequacy of their French language skills.

All applicants should be aware that any clinical placements in the province of Quebec require the ability to communicate (written and oral) in French. Students who do not speak French may request out-of-province or international clinical placements. Such requests are strictly subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Students who do not speak French will have more limited clinical placement opportunities. This may result in delayed graduation from the program. These students may consider applying for clinical placements in other provinces or internationally, at their own expense. Any expenses related to out-of-province or international placements are the responsibility of the student. French courses for different levels of learners are available through À¦°óSMÉçÇø's French Language Centre (FLC). Special courses targeting students in health and social sciences have been developed by Dialogue À¦°óSMÉçÇø to support students’ fieldwork and eventual licensure requirements. Course descriptions can be found at www.mcgill.ca/flc/courses-and-programs/french-health-and-social-work-sector.

Valid CPR/AED Level (Health Care Provider) certification or equivalent is required prior to going into any of the clinical affiliation placements and must be maintained throughout the professional Master’s program.

Prior to starting their first clinical course, students must ensure that their immunization records are complete and that they have completed their mask fitting. Failure to do so will prevent students from starting their first clinical course. Students must contact the Student Wellness Hub for a mask fitting appointment or attend announced group appointments. All supporting documentation regarding immunization must be submitted to the Student Wellness Hub. The Hub will provide students with cards that will attest the completion of the immunization requirements and will contain information regarding mask fit. Cards will be provided to students upon immunization and mask fitting completion. Students are required to submit their card electronically by the third clinical seminar (submission details provided in Clinical Seminar 1).

Please also refer to Vaccination/Immunization Requirements for Health Sciences Programs in the undergraduate Health Sciences eCalendar.