OPC Posted Admission Requirements 2024

Our Online Application will open January 11th. Deadline for Applications: April 30th, 2024.

The Admissions committee takes each application into careful consideration weighing an applicant’s prior education, professional and personal experience.  Meeting the minimal requirements of the OPC Program does not guarantee admission.  These Admission Requirements are meant to serve as a guideline for prospective students considering our program and applicants in the process of completing their application.  Further information can be gathered at one of our information sessions or by contacting us here

A complete application must include the following supporting documents and required sections:

Required Documents

  • An undergraduate degree is required as a prerequisite to our program.
  • Transcript from every post-secondary institution attended. 
  • Three Letters of Reference
    • 1) Academic: It is appropriate for the professor or employer to comment on things like general impressions of your aptitude, contributions in class (learning situations), work with others, writing/language skills, problem solving ability, creativity, organizational skills, research ability, technical expertise, computer/software savvy, or any other academic asset you would bring to our program. 
    • 2) Professional:Please communicate the following items to your referee and ask that they comment on the following in your professional reference letter a) Applicant’s rapport and experience with others (co-workers, clients, children, etc.) b) Organization, problem-solving, and planning c) Professionalism and work ethic d) Interpersonal skills  e) Able to adapt to changing circumstances and response to stress f) Ability to take direction and feedback
    • 3) Character: Please ask your referee to speak to your character, skills and qualities related to becoming a psychotherapist.  Ideal referees could be a coworker, coach, customer, business acquaintance, mentor, or close friend.  Family members and personal therapists do not make ideal referees.

      Application Guidance

  • Résumé: The online application requires you to identify any work/volunteer experience that provided a background in the field of therapy/counseling or related work.
  • Statement of Intent: Describe your background and learning interests related to the program. Highlight your assets and strengths. Provide examples for interest and a deeper understanding of who you are and what you would bring to the program. (1000-1500 words, 2-3 pages).**
  • Autobiography: Demonstrates psychological mindedness (PM) defined as interest and ability to be in touch with and reflect on one’s psychological states and processes. In this definition, PM’s affective dimension— being in touch and reflecting in a nonanalytic way—is considered more fundamental than the intellectual, analytic aspect of reflection, although also important. In other words, it’s a person’s ability to see relationships among thoughts, feelings, and actions, with the goal of learning the meanings and causes of their experience and behaviour (1000-1500 words, 2-3 pages).
  • Personal Interview: Once your application has been reviewed, an interview date and time may be arranged as part of the second stage of the application process.  Interviews are usually in person with a faculty member but may be done by phone or video conference in certain cases when necessary.
  • English Proficiency: Students must be able to communicate effectively in English to study at OPC. Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. This is a requirement of admission and should be met before application but must be met before the deadline to register.

*Transcript: Mature Student Standing:

Applicants who graduated five or more years ago without achieving strong academic standing may be considered for admission, if since graduation, they have done significant intellectual work and/or made a significant professional contribution that can be considered equivalent to a higher academic standing. This means that the mere passage of time in a profession is not sufficient. The applicant must submit recommendations for admission to the OPC Program for approval.

Please download and complete this form to provide information about your previous experiences working with people to support your consideration for adjusting your application. We’d like a general but accurate idea of the duration of your experiences.  Please attach this form to your application in the Considerations for Adjusting Application section.

This contribution and its impact on the profession must be detailed, documented, and presented as part of the application. Such applicants may be considered for admission if they can document that they have achieved qualifications at least equivalent to those stated in the preceding sections.  Applicants should explain why they think their professional development activities or work experiences should be viewed as equivalent to academic work conducted at a university.

Examples of evidence may include but are not limited to:

  • Publications and/or research which is professionally relevant (including published papers, technical reports, or patents)
  • A record of outstanding advancement in one’s profession (e.g., progressive leadership roles, management of projects and personnel, professional or scientific citations, and awards)
  • Professional designations, diplomas, or certificates
  • Training or courses taken subsequent to the undergraduate degree and/or being an instructor of professional development courses to others in one’s profession
  • Development of new skills over and above what would normally be expected in one’s profession.

 

**Statement of Intent:In writing this letter, organize your material in a manner appropriate to your own style of expression. You do not need to follow all of the points listed below, although you should touch upon most, if not all, of them.

  • Description of your current work and study activities
  • What are you doing now?
  • What studies are you involved in, if any?
  • What is your present work? How might it relate to this program?
  • Indication of your work history as it relates to this program
  • What positions or work have you had that helps prepare you for this program?
  • What orientations or skills have you derived from your prior work, activities that might assist you in this program?
  • Statement of your professional goals. Where you want to be in five years’ time.
  • What are your goals 7 years from now?
  • What kind of work would you like to be doing? What setting would you like to be working in? What kind of organization? Is this a continuation of a line of work that is presently represented
    in your activities or is this a whole new direction?
  • Indication of your learning style and prior involvement with experience-­based education
  • How do you learn best? What have been your best experiences with learning?
  • What background do you have in experience-based learning?
  • What is your experience in working in groups?
  • What is your learning style?
  • What is your typical pattern of behavior in groups?
  • Indication of what you know about this program and why you chose it
  • What attracted you to this program?
  • What do you see as its special draw for you?
  • Description of personal factors that support your ability to do the kind of professional work for which this program will prepare you.
  • How would you describe yourself in terms of qualities that you believe will enable you to function effectively in roles related to your goals and the objectives of this program.

Policy on deferral:

A later start may be possible, but only if special approval is granted by OPC Admissions.

Admission is valid only for the beginning date specified on an offer of admission in the section “Program Begins.” If you’re unable to attend the session for which you have been accepted, normally you must re-apply and compete with all other applicants for admission to a later session.

In exceptional circumstances OPC may recommend deferral of admission for a maximum of twelve months following the date of initial acceptance (the next academic year). Requests for deferral should be submitted in writing to the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible but must be received prior to registration and no later than the September Residency.

OPC has applied to become a Designated Learning Institution and once approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, will make a decision when to start enrolling international students (based predominantly on health and safety considerations and as determined by the Government of Ontario). While admissions criteria approved by the Superintendent of Career Colleges will continue to govern our admissions process, special conditions may apply to international students in determining equivalence and program readiness.

Thank you for considering the OPC Program:

 

Thank you for considering applying to the OPC Program.  We look forward to receiving your application and welcome any questions you may have about our program or the application process.  Feel free to contact us here.