Help People Learn to Live Again
Earn your dual Physio/Occupational Therapy diploma in 61 weeks.
Program Overview
Imagine being the specialist people turn to when they need to learn how to walk again, regain their grip, or get back to the life they once had.
If you are ready to take your healthcare career further, Oxford College’s Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant program gives you the skills, hands-on training, and dual PTA + OTA credential to make it happen.
In just 61 weeks, you will be qualified to work alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists at hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centres across the Greater Toronto Area.
2-in-1
Dual PTA + OTA credential, larger employer pool
400
Practical placement hours across OTA and PTA settings
61 Weeks
To a healthcare career, against a 2 year path at other colleges
$25 to $36
PTA/ OTA earns an hour
What is the Role of a Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant?
As a Physiotherapy Assistant (PTA), you work with physiotherapists to help patients recover from injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. You guide them through their treatment plans, support their exercises, and monitor their progress.
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), you work with occupational therapists to help people regain the skills they need to function in their daily lives. That could mean:
- Helping someone relearn how to dress themselves after a stroke
- Supporting a child with developmental challenges
- Helping an older adult stay independent in their own home.
In both roles, you are the hands-on support that makes recovery possible. You work with patients across all ages and abilities, in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, clinics, nursing homes, and community settings.
What makes Oxford College’s program unique is that you train for both roles at the same time. You graduate with a dual PTA + OTA credential, giving you access to more employers and career opportunities than a single-credential program can offer.
From Passionate about Healthcare to Clinical Specialist
In Ontario, the median wage for a Personal Support Worker is approximately $22 per hour.
As a qualified Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant, you could be earning $26.00 up to $36.50 per hour.
Aside from the earning potential, the role is also less physically demanding than Personal Support Worker work. As a Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant, you are working with patients in a clinical capacity rather than performing the heavy lifting and physically taxing tasks that come with personal care. It is an upgrade in both what you earn and how you work.
This is what Oxford College’s 61-week program offers you.
You already have the heart for this work. At Oxford College, we’ll give you the credentials to match it.
What Makes Oxford College Different?
We’ve built a Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant Program that gives you every advantage:
- Dual PTA + OTA Credential
At Oxford College, you graduate with both a Physiotherapy Assistant and an Occupational Therapy Assistant credential.
That means you can apply for positions in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, giving you a broader range of employers and career opportunities. - Hospital-Experienced Faculty
Your instructors are not just educators. They are experienced clinicians who have worked in the healthcare settings you are training to enter.
You learn directly from people who have done the work, and that firsthand clinical experience shapes the quality of your training and the education you’ll receive. - Hospital-Tier Placements
Through Oxford College’s practicum program, you will have the opportunity to complete your placement hours at some of the Greater Toronto Area’s most respected healthcare institutions, including Baycrest, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Humber River Hospital, Lifemark, Paramed, Monarch House, and more than 25 named partners in total. - An Intimate Learning Environment
Our program is delivered in small cohorts, so you’ll receive personal attention from your instructors and build strong connections with your classmates.
It is a learning environment designed to set you up for success. - 61 Weeks to a Healthcare Career
While a public college path can take up to two years, Oxford College’s program gets you qualified and career-ready in 61 weeks, without compromising on quality education
How Oxford College Compares
| Dimension | Oxford College | Private Colleges | Public collegeS |
| Time to Career | 61 weeks | 55 to 74 weeks | 104 weeks |
| Practicum | 400 hours (16 weeks) | 350 hours | 500+ hours |
| Tuition | $16,745 (published) | $12,255 to average | Undisclosed |
| Hospital-Tier Placements | Baycrest, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Humber River Hospital | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
Learn From People Who Have Done the Work
Your instructors have real clinical experience. You are not just learning theory. You are learning from healthcare professionals who have worked in the same hospitals and rehabilitation centres where you will one day build your career.
She is a licensed chiropractor in Ontario and an instructor in the Physiotherapist Assistant (PTA) and Occupational Therapist Assisstant (OTA) program at Oxford College. She brings her clinical experience and passion for teaching into the classroom to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required for success in the healthcare field.
Sahar Sheybani-Deloui
Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a Doctor of Chiropractic.
5 years’ experience as Rehabilitation Assistant with Humber River Hospital prior to join Oxford College and Windsor Career College Toronto. I have a total of 7 years of teaching experience as an OTA/PTA Instructor. Several of my students got employment after graduation.
Jojee Thomas
Bachelor’s degree in science, OTA/PTA diploma from Humber College and certified clinical research associate from McMaster University.
From Passionate about Healthcare to Clinical Specialist
In Ontario, the median wage for a Personal Support Worker is approximately $22 per hour.
As a qualified Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant, you could be earning $26.00 up to $36.50 per hour.
Aside from the earning potential, the role is also less physically demanding than Personal Support Worker work. As a Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant, you are working with patients in a clinical capacity rather than performing the heavy lifting and physically taxing tasks that come with personal care. It is an upgrade in both what you earn and how you work.
This is what Oxford College’s 61-week program offers you.
You already have the heart for this work. At Oxford College, we’ll give you the credentials to match it.
Program Structure
61 weeks in total
Online theory in the first few months
Hybrid online and in-person labs in the middle months
Full practicum placement in the final months
Practicum Placement Breakdown
| OTA Placement | 6 weeks / 150 hours in occupational therapy settings |
| PTA Placement | 10 weeks / 250 hours in physiotherapy settings |
| Total | 16 weeks / 400 placement hours |
Delivery: The program is delivered at Oxford College’s Toronto and Scarborough campuses. Scarborough students attend the Toronto campus for in-person components.
Where Our Graduates Train and Work
We have built relationships with some of the Greater Toronto Area’s most respected healthcare institutions and community organizations, so that when you step into your placement, you are already working at the level employers expect.
Occupational Therapy Placement Partners
Baycrest
Humber River Hospital
St. Joseph’s Health Centre
FunctionAbility
Monarch House
Parkview Services for Seniors
SmileTherapy for Kids
Lifemark Health
Venvi Leaside Retirement Residence
1to1 Rehab
Baycrest
Humber River Hospital
St. Joseph’s Health Centre
FunctionAbility
Monarch House
Parkview Services for Seniors
SmileTherapy for Kids
Lifemark Health
Venvi Leaside Retirement Residence
1to1 Rehab
Physiotherapy Placement Partners
Lifemark Physiotherapy
St. George Physiotherapy Clinic
Sheppard Health
HealthMax Etobicoke
Spectrum Health
Triangle Physiotherapy
Paramed
SE Health
Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre
Shepherd Village
Lifemark Physiotherapy
St. George Physiotherapy Clinic
Sheppard Health
HealthMax Etobicoke
Spectrum Health
Triangle Physiotherapy
Paramed
SE Health
Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre
Shepherd Village
Understanding the Cost of Your Education
We believe that finances should not stand in the way of your career. That is why we are upfront about the program’s cost and have dedicated staff ready to help you find a funding plan that works for you.
Program Fees
Tuition:
$16,745
Books:
$1,870
Fees:
$560
Total all-in cost:
$19,175
Financial Aid Options
You may be eligible for financial assistance through one or more of the following:
OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program)
Second Career
Private student loans
Our Financial Aid Advisors are here to assess your situation and help you put together a funding plan. Sit down with one of them today and take the first step toward making your education affordable.
Is This Program Right For You?
We want you to succeed, and that starts with making sure this program is the right fit before you enrol. Here is a look at what the program involves and the kind of student who tends to succeed in it.
This program is a good fit for you if you:
- Have a background in healthcare or personal care, such as working as a Personal Support Worker, and are ready to take your career to the next level
- Are comfortable with science-based coursework, including anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
- Communicate clearly and confidently in English, both verbally and in writing, as effective communication is a major part of the OTA and PTA role
- Are comfortable with hands-on work with clients across a range of ages and abilities
- Can commit to a structured cohort schedule that combines online theory, in-person lab sessions, and a full-time practicum placement
A note on the science component:
If it has been a while since you studied biology or anatomy, we encourage you to speak with one of our advisors before enrolling. Oxford College offers a Pre-Science Course that can help you build the foundation you need to succeed.
Not sure if this is the right step?
Speak with one of our advisors. They will guide you.
What You Can Expect After You Graduate
Oxford College’s Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant program prepares you for a career in one of Canada’s fastest-growing healthcare sectors.
Industry Demand
- Health-related occupation vacancies in Canada rose from 2.1% to 5.8% between 2016 and 2024
- Canada needs roughly 4,600 more Occupational Therapists (OT) and Physiotherapists (PT) by 2034 (Health Canada). Each new OT and PT creates additional demand for qualified assistants
- Hospital occupational therapy roles grew 7.0% in a single year, from 2023 to 2024 (Canadian Institute for Health Information)
- The employment outlook for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physiotherapy Assistants in Ontario is rated “Good” through 2027 (Job Bank), with roughly 9,950 OTAs and PTAs currently working in the province
Wage Outcomes
- Ontario median annual salary for OTAs and PTAs: $37,440 (Job Bank)
- Salary range: $31,200 (lowest 10%) to $63,814 (highest 10%)
Your Dual Credential Advantage
Graduating with both a Physiotherapy Assistant and an Occupational Therapy Assistant credential means you can apply to work for more employers than graduates of single-credential programs. More credentials mean more options, and more options mean a better start to your career.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are ready to advance your healthcare career, we are ready to help you get there. Speak with one of our advisors today to get more information about the Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant program at Oxford College, discuss your eligibility, and find out how to get started.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for the Physio/Occupational Therapist Assistant program, you will need one of the following:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, OR
- Mature Student Status and a Wonderlic assessment, AND
- Senior Biology, OR
- Completion of Oxford College’s Pre-Science Course