In the Master of Public Health program, students will focus on current issues in the science and/or service of public health, so that they may gain experience through opportunities in any of the fundamental disciplines that underlie public health. The program is primarily intended to prepare graduates for a career in public health practice. The program's objectives are to prepare a graduate who:
Master of Public Health programs, with the exception of specific course requirements for the Master of Public Health with Specialization in Nursing with Nurse Practitioner Electives, may be completed through Distance Education on either a Standard full-time or Flexible full-time basis. Note that, once admitted to the Master of Public Health program, students are not permitted to change from the Standard Option to the Flex Option, and vice versa.
Master of Public Health courses are offered using a combination of Zoom videoconferencing technology for real-time scheduled classes, and of Desire2Learn (D2L), a secure password-protected learning environment (e.g., for course resources, e-mail, and online discussions). The connectivity using Zoom allows students to have direct audio and visual contact with the course instructor and with other graduate students during class time and while working together on shared course assignments. In some classes, break-out sessions are structured into the course so that students have both large-and small-group learning experiences.
With the exception of Master of Public Health programs with Specialization in Nursing (with or without Nurse Practitioner Electives), students may apply to either a course-based or thesis option. Applicants must indicate their areas of interest for a thesis when applying to the program. Admittance to the thesis option is dependent on faculty availability from among full-time faculty in the Department of Health Sciences; otherwise, students are offered admission to the course-based option. Students originally admitted to the course-based option may apply to the Admissions Committee to transfer to the thesis option after their first term of study, and once final marks are available. Students must contact the Graduate Coordinator for additional details on the process and required forms.
Specializations available within Public Health
Applicants may also choose to complete a specialization as part of their Master of Public Health program. Applicants must indicate their interest for a specialization when applying to the program.
Note that a Specialization in Social-Ecological Systems, Sustainability and Health is currently under review; students admitted to the Master of Public Health program may apply to transfer into this specialization after their first term of study, and once final marks are available. Students must contact the Graduate Coordinator for additional details on the process and required forms. Applicants interested in this specialization should make note of this in their statement of goals and intentions (see Program Specific Requirements below).
• Epidemiology (course option or thesis option link to Calendar)
• Indigenous and Northern Health (course option or thesis option link to Calendar)
• Nursing (course option only link to Calendar)
• Nursing with Nurse Practitioner Electives (course option only link to Calendar)
• Gerontology (course option or thesis option link to Calendar)
NOTE: Students completing the program as a full-time student must complete all requirements within six terms (2 years) of continuous registration. Students completing the program as a flex-time student must complete all requirements within twelve terms (4 years) of continuous registration as follows: six terms (2 years) of continuous full-time registration followed by up to six additional terms (2 years) of continuous registration, during which no fees are required.
Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least second class standing (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent.
An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of courses taken and academic standing. A Qualifying Year at the undergraduate level may be required to meet the admission standards. Courses taken as part of a Qualifying Year can not be used as credit towards a graduate 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 by the Office of Graduate Studies in writing of their admission status.
Please note:
If applying to a thesis program, interested applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors directly, and before, submitting an application for graduate study.
Admission decisions will be made by the Department of Health Sciences Admissions Committee.
In addition to the general admission requirements for Master programs, applicants must also submit:
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 1.
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.
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.
