Health Sciences

The Fall 2021 application cycle is now closed.

The PhD in Health Sciences is designed to be a research-intensive program emphasizing the development of research skills with a particular focus on populations who historically have higher rates of poorer health (such as seniors and Indigenous populations). It is a high quality graduate program in which students faculty, and staff together engage in research and scholarly work, including creative and innovative endeavours. 

The PhD program is housed in the Department of Health Sciences, whose mission is to create and mobilize knowledge, to protect and promote health, and to reduce health inequities. Through applied research, community engagement, and provision of diverse learning opportunities, we help to build capacity to understand and address the complexities of both current and emerging health issues. Our vision is to be a leader in applied health research and comprehensive health education that enables and supports individuals and communities to achieve optimal health. Applied health research is an integral part of the PhD in Health Sciences program. It includes a hands-on experience through an innovative Research Internship that  provides  students with the opportunity to apply program content in a real-world, applied health research setting. 

The objectives of the PhD in Health Sciences program are to prepare graduates who are able to:

  • Discuss and critique current and emerging issues and trends in the field of health sciences;
  • Design, carry out, and defend research at an advanced level to create knowledge relevant to the field of health sciences;
  • Conduct research and scholarly activities in a way that is consistent with expected guidelines, processes, and procedures in the field of health sciences.

Applicants must indicate their areas of interest when applying to the program and must identify a potential supervisor. Admittance is dependent on faculty availability from among full-time faculty of the Department of Health Sciences.

The PhD in Health Sciences program may be completed either over 4 years (12 terms) on a full-time basis, or over 8 years (24 terms) on a flexible full-time basis. Note that, once admitted to the PhD in Health Sciences program, students are not permitted to change from the full-time option to the flexible full-time option, and vice versa.

Requirements: 

Admission Requirements for PhD

Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university and show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, students must have a Masters degree or its equivalent with an academic average as specified by the academic unit. An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of Master's courses taken and academic standing. A Qualifying Year may be required at the Masters level to meet the admission standards. Courses taken as part of a Qualifying Year cannot be used as credit towards a doctoral degree.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. No candidate will be admitted unless the academic unit recommends admission. All applicants will be advised in writing by the Office of Graduate Studies of their admission status.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statement of Goals and Intentions - PhD Health Sciences

 Writing Sample

  • Applicants will submit one piece of evidence of scholarship to demonstrate the quality of their writing. This can include a major paper submitted for a graduate-level course or a sole authored published paper.

Official English Test Results (if required)

Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not studied in an English language school system for more than three years will be required to present proof of English facility by achieving an appropriate standing in one of the following tests:

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum internet-based score of 100, or a minimum computer-based score of 250, or a minimum paper-based score of 600 and a score of at least 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE); the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7.0; the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 90; or the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) with a minimum score of 80.

Fees: 

Required Application Documents

Although applications are accepted on a continual basis, to be considered in the initial Admission & Funding decisions for the Fall (September) semester, you are encouraged to apply by February 1st.

Supervisor Information

Interested students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors directly and before submitting an application for graduate study.

The first step in the application process is to complete the online graduate studies application form.

After you have submitted the online form along with the required $100 CAD application fee, you will be provided with an online account where you can complete the remaining steps of the application process which include uploading the required supporting documents and monitoring the status of your application.

Click here to Apply to Graduate Studies 

After you have applied 

After you have submitted the online application form, you will be provided with instructions by email on how to log in to myinfo, where you will be able to review and upload the remaining and required supporting documents.

Graduate Studies Reference Form (3 forms required)
  • An electronic reference form will be automatically sent by email to the references you identify on the graduate studies application form
  • This form is requested in support of the applicant's ability to undertake advanced study and research
Official Transcript
Proof of Degree
Program Specific Supporting Documents (If required)
  • For a list of program specific documents, please see this program's Additional Application Information section (if required, see above)
Official English Test Results (If required)
Next Steps: 

Next Steps

Registration Procedures

Before Registering!

Check to make sure all of your course selections are currently being offered by referring to the University Course Calendar and the University Course Time Tables.

University Graduate Studies & General Regulations & Policies

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