The UBC Master of Physical Therapy Program (MPT) is the only fully distributed, entry-to-practice Physical Therapy program in British Columbia. The MPT Program offers students the opportunity to study at multiple sites.
The Master in Physical Therapy – Fraser Valley (MPT-FV), allows 20 of the 140 MPT students accepted each year to complete their academic and clinical learning with a focus on clinical placements in the Fraser Valley. The Fraser Health Authority is the largest in British Columbia by population and has a high demand for physical therapists.
The MPT-FV cohort will be located at the Surrey campus starting in January 2024. The Surrey campus facilities will feature state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, including plinth labs and lecture theatre with videoconferencing technology, as well as breakout rooms and study spaces for students.
The majority of class time will be at the Surrey campus. However, MPT-FV students should note they will occasionally have to commute to the Vancouver campus for certain program activities, such as immunization review and courses that utilize the gross anatomy lab (e.g. ANAT 392 and RHSC 420). Students can expect to travel to UBC campus twice per week during their first semester (Block A) and on three separate occasions during their second semester (Block B). Other ad hoc activities may require students to commute to the Vancouver campus.
The MPT Program’s fully distributed model of learning uses technology that allows instructors and students to interact in real-time at multiple locations. All MPT students complete the same curriculum at the same time, regardless of site. Distributed learning is a well-established model used by health profession programs across the country. There are significant advantages to distributed learning, such as:
• access to expertise from across the province;
• smaller class sizes;
• unique placement opportunities.
The MPT program is delivered using an advanced system of high-definition videoconferencing technology. Classes may be delivered from distributed sites depending on where the instructor teaches the class. Students from all sites can ask instructors questions and interact with each other in real-time through video conferencing equipment. Clinical skills or classes that require group work are delivered by local faculty, instructors and Clinical Skills Assistants (CSA). Clinical Skills Assistants are usually practicing healthcare professionals within the community. This blended approach to education and training applies to all students in the program.
Students will experience a wide variety of clinical settings in both public and private sectors with the potential to participate in innovative projects and novel clinical experiences. Clinical learning for students takes place in communities across the province, however, for MPT- Fraser Valley students, there is a focus on clinical sites within the Fraser Health Authority. The location of clinical learning sites will vary each year.
If you are applying to the MPT-FV program, please indicate your interest in the online application.
MPT-Fraser Valley Frequently Asked Questions
Please email mpt.admissions@ubc.ca should you have any questions about the MPT-Fraser Valley Cohort.
Here’s what physical therapists have to say about working in the Fraser Valley
Amy Ellis
Clinical Supervisor Physiotherapy, Critical Care and Medical Nephrology – Surrey Memorial Hospital, Fraser Health
“Seeing patients return to their life and enjoying the quality of life with their families post-admission. I have the privilege of being able to work with people when they are at their most vulnerable. In critical care, we often start working with patients while they are on a ventilator and sometimes need maximal assistance to mobilize. Being able to start there and see them improve and walk out of the hospital is extremely rewarding.”
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Kim Hall
CEO of Physio2U – In-Home Physiotherapy Services
“Being able to see people regain independence and restore their quality of life. Working in home care, I do one-hour one-on-one sessions, I can see people in their own environments and make sure they have a program to do in their environment. That might mean independently or with the help of family members or caregivers. We can work on their very specific functional goals, like getting in and out of their own bathtub or up and down their stairs at home. It is impactful and efficient to be inside someone’s home working on those functional goals.”
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Hyman Gee
Student Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, Queen’s Park Care Centre, Fraser Health
“We can certainly facilitate a positive change in the lives of the people we serve. In addition, I love seeing the enthusiasm and joy my physiotherapy students express when they begin to put the pieces together in their learning while helping these clients. It can be a winning situation all around.”