Programs
University of Alberta CASPer Requirements 2026-27 by Program
Five University of Alberta programs require CASPer for the 2026–2027 cycle: Dentistry (DDS), Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. The MD program does not. The catch is that they do not all use the same test: Dental Hygiene requires Casper 1 (CSP-10200), while Dentistry and the rehabilitation programs use Casper 2 (CSP-10211). Below is each program's test type, deadline and what the official page says.
University of Alberta programs and CASPer
We read Acuity Insights' public Dates & Fees page for Canada, which lists University of Alberta Dental Hygiene under Canada Casper 1 and the DDS, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology programs under Casper 2. We then checked each program's own admissions page on October 26, 2026.
| Program | CASPer test | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) | Casper 2 (CSP-10211) | Results received by January 2 |
| BSc Dental Hygiene | Canada Casper 1 (CSP-10200) | Results received by January 2 |
| MSc Occupational Therapy (MScOT) | Casper 2 (CSP-10211) | Last test date before the January 31 application deadline |
| MSc Physical Therapy (MScPT) | Casper 2 (CSP-10211) | Application closes February 1 |
| MSc Speech-Language Pathology (MScSLP) | Casper 2 (CSP-10211) | Test dates with a January 2027 deadline |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) | Not required | Uses the MCAT and an interview |
Casper 1 and Casper 2 are separate test types with separate applicant pools, so a score from one cannot be sent to a program that requires the other. See CASPer 1 vs CASPer 2.
Dentistry (DDS) and Dental Hygiene
The Mike Petryk School of Dentistry runs both programs, and they require different tests. The Dental Hygiene page says applicants must complete Canada Casper 1 (CSP-10200) and that results must be received by January 2. It states directly that the DDS and Dental Hygiene programs require different Casper assessments, so if you apply to both you must complete the correct test for each. It also says every available test date allows results to arrive by the deadline, and that non-U of A applicants can register without a UAlberta ID and add the university to their distribution list later. Personal experience forms for Dental Hygiene are due November 1.
The DDS program uses Casper 2 (CSP-10211), also with a January 2 results deadline. Our dedicated University of Alberta Dentistry CASPer guide covers the DDS checklist in detail. For other dental schools, see CASPer for dental school.
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology
Occupational Therapy (MScOT)
The MScOT admissions page lists a situational judgement exam through CASPer as a requirement. Applicants must take it once in every admission cycle, results go directly to the department, and applications with incomplete or missing CASPer scores are not considered. The application and document deadline is January 31, 11:59 p.m. MST, and the page notes that the last CASPer date falls before that deadline, so plan ahead. See also CASPer for occupational therapy.
Physical Therapy (MScPT)
The MScPT application process page says applicants have had to complete CASPer since the 2025 intake cycle, with results sent directly to the department; missing scores mean the application is not considered. Key 2026–27 dates: the portal opens November 1, international applications are due January 15, and the application closes February 1, with interview invitations in March, interviews in April and decisions in May. See CASPer for physiotherapy.
Speech-Language Pathology (MScSLP)
The MScSLP application process page lists the Casper test among required materials, links to test dates with a January 2027 deadline, and recommends using the same email for Acuity and the graduate application portal. The application window runs from November 1, 2026 to February 1, 2027. Re-applicants must submit all new documents and retake CASPer. See CASPer for speech-language pathology and audiology.
University of Alberta Medicine: no CASPer
The MD program's application requirements list the MCAT and an interview, not CASPer, and the program does not appear on Acuity's 2026–27 list. It is one of eight Canadian MD programs without a CASPer requirement this cycle; see Canadian medical schools that don't require CASPer.
Can one CASPer cover several U of A programs?
Yes, if they use the same test type and accept the same date. DDS, OT, PT and SLP all use Casper 2, so one sitting can be distributed to all four, and to Casper 2 programs at other universities, such as the UBC rehabilitation programs or U of T Dentistry and OT, provided each accepts your date. Dental Hygiene is the exception: it needs a separate Casper 1 sitting.
Acuity says you cannot take the same test type more than once per admissions cycle, so choose a date that works for every Casper 2 program on your list. Check the earliest deadline among them: the dental programs' January 2 results deadline is usually the binding one.
Booking checklist
- List every program you are applying to and note whether each needs Casper 1 or Casper 2.
- Find the earliest results deadline in each group, often January 2 for dental programs.
- Book one Casper 2 sitting (and a Casper 1 sitting if you are applying to Dental Hygiene) for the 2026–2027 cycle. See how to register for CASPer.
- Use the same name and email as your applications, and add the University of Alberta programs to your distribution list. See how to send CASPer scores.
- Run the system check and take the free official practice test in your Acuity account.
- If you need accommodations, apply at least four weeks before your test. See CASPer accommodations.
How to prepare
Both test types use the same structure: four video scenarios with one minute per answer, then seven typed scenarios with 3.5 minutes for both answers, over about 65 to 85 minutes. Scenarios are everyday situations, so you do not need clinical knowledge. Good next steps:
- CASPer healthcare scenarios for patient and clinic settings
- How to answer follow-up questions
- The 2026–27 CASPer format
- A two-week study plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Alberta require CASPer?+
Some programs do. For 2026–27, Dentistry (DDS), Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology require it. The MD program does not.
Which CASPer do I take for U of A Dental Hygiene?+
Canada Casper 1 (CSP-10200). The DDS program uses Casper 2 (CSP-10211), and the school says applicants to both must complete the correct test for each.
When are U of A CASPer results due?+
Dentistry and Dental Hygiene require results by January 2. OT's application deadline is January 31, with the last test date before it. PT and SLP applications close February 1, and SLP lists test dates with a January 2027 deadline.
Does U of A Physical Therapy require CASPer?+
Yes. The MScPT program says applicants have had to complete CASPer since the 2025 intake cycle, and missing scores mean the application will not be considered.
Do I need to retake CASPer if I reapply to U of A?+
Yes. CASPer scores are valid for one admissions cycle only, and the SLP program explicitly says re-applicants must retake the test.
Sources and scope
Checked October 26, 2026 against the University of Alberta Dental Hygiene, MScOT, MScPT and MScSLP admissions pages, the MD application requirements (checked October 23), our existing DDS research, and Acuity Insights' Dates & Fees page. Requirements and dates can change; confirm with each program. CasperCoach is independent of Acuity Insights and the University of Alberta.