Public Health: Nursing Specialization
In the Master of Public Health with Specialization in Nursing 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:
- possesses advanced health-related education
- is capable of critical analysis
- understands health-related decision-making at the level of the individual, population, and government
- understands research
- possesses knowledge exchange and dissemination strategies for individuals, populations, and government
The degree is designed to take into consideration the learner's needs including the unique opportunity to individualize his/her clinical courses to a variety of foci: clinical practice, administration, education, and community health.
The Master of Public Health with Specialization in Nursing program, 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 a Flexible full-time basis; those wishing to complete the Master of Public Health program on a full-time basis must apply to the on-campus program. Note that, once admitted to the Master of Public Health program, students are not permitted to change from the Standard Full-time Option to the Flexible Full-time Option, and vice versa.
- For those studying at a distance (flexible full-time basis), the 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.
All students in the Master of Public Health program with Specialization in Nursing complete a course-based program.
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.
The Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP) program uses a blended delivery model of face-to-face instruction and distance education. There are face-to-face requirements, on campus, associated with the Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnosis courses, and the Therapeutics courses. Attendance at these seminars is mandatory. There are also 78 hours of clinical practicum associated with each of these courses and all clinical placements are required to be completed in Lakehead University's geographic boundary. The final practicum is 455 hours and it must also be completed in Lakehead University's geographic boundary, which is east to Wawa, north to Hudson's Bay, west to the Manitoba border, and south to the U.S. border.
PHC Nurse Practitioner Elective Option:
Applicants who are interested in the PHC Nurse Practitioner elective option will complete the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN), Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program courses. Interested applicants need to download the additional PHC Nurse Practitioner Application information which can be found within the 'How to Apply' tab.
Admission Requirements for Masters
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.
Program Specific Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements for Master programs, the following requirements also apply:
- Four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or its equivalent from a university of recognized standing with a minimum "B" average
- Evidence of a commitment to nursing as contained in the student's Curriculum Vitae and Statement of Goals and Intentions
- Proof of unrestricted, current registration or eligibility to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario or another jurisdiction in Canada for which the practicum will take place.
- Two references (one academic and one clinical reference; with the option of a third reference) - the link will automatically send to each referee you identify in your application
- Official English Test Results (if required)
If you are an applicant to the Nurse Practitioner Electives Stream, you must also have evidence of an unrestricted, current Registered Nurse Certificate of Registration (College of Nurses of Ontario) Applicants must have the equivalent of 2 years full-time nursing practice within the past 5 years.
Preference will be given to Ontario residents whose work experience in nursing has been continuous and who have practical experience in one or more of the following areas: primary health care; ambulatory care; public health; community health; long term care; emergency care or outpost nursing. Application packages are available on the Lakehead University website under School of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program. for further information applicants should contact the Lakehead University School of Nursing.
An interview may also be required. Admission decisions will be made by the interdisciplinary Master of Public Health Admissions Committee.
Academic Fees and Important Payment Information
Required Application Documents
Applicants for admission must be graduates of an accredited university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the admission requirements of a particular program, domestic degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent. We recommend that International applicants have an overall standing of Second Class - Upper Division or higher.
Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission. The Faculty of Graduate Studies will advise all applicants in writing of admission decisions once they are received from the program. Applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor their Lakehead University email and application portal for the most current information.
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 can access your account here. Any change in your application status will be reflected in this portal.
Graduate Studies Reference Form (2 forms required, with an optional 3rd)
- One clinical reference 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 below)
Official English Test Results (If required)
- For information about English test results, please see our Academic Calendar
Additional Application Information
Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Goals and Intentions
- View statement notes - see Statement of Goals & Intentions MPH
PHC Nurse Practitioner Elective Option
- Applicants who are interested in the PHC Nurse Practitioner elective option will also need to complete the Master of Public Health with Specialization in Nursing with Nurse Practitioner Electives Personal Essay. The verification of employment hours form is to be completed by the employer. Applicants who hold a current RN (EC) license or equivalent and have completed courses Nursing 5610, 5630, 5615, 5616, 5635, 5636, and 5840, within the past 5 years, are not required to submit the additional PHC Nurse Practitioner Application information.
Graduate Funding
At Lakehead University, we realize the importance of financial support for graduate students.
Therefore, financial assistance opportunities are available in several forms and are generally awarded to students by individual programs on the basis of academic promise and financial need.
The different funding options available include:
For your convenience, a searchable database of graduate scholarships, bursaries, and awards is provided below. Award eligibility, criteria, and application procedures for graduate funding is indicated for each award. Please use the general search tool to find available funding by program. Alternatively, you may also click the advanced search link to specify available funding by program level, award category and/or award amount.
Although financial support cannot be guaranteed to all graduate students in all programs, we encourage you to inquire about financial assistance with your Graduate Coordinator in your program of study. You may also contact the Graduate Funding Officer in the Faculty of Graduate Studies to learn more about your graduate funding options.
Conditions of Graduate Awards
Graduate scholarships are based on academic merit. Graduate bursaries are based on financial need, although there may be a merit component to the bursary. Where the award designates that an application is required, only those students who have submitted the specified application by the deadline will be considered for those awards. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only successful applicants will be notified.
Recipients of scholarships, awards and bursaries must be registered in order to receive funding. Graduate awards are applied to any outstanding balance on the student's account. Students are entitled to their awards only after their fees are paid in full. Only students with credit account balances will be refunded the balance of the overpayment. Overpayment refunds of these awards will be issued at the end of September, January and May each year.
The University reserves the right to make changes without prior notice to the terms, conditions and award values listed in this section and in the University Calendar.
The most up-to-date internal awards and applications will be on our new award system COMING SOON.
Graduate Studies Funding Database
Select any filter and click on Apply to see results