The University of Waterloo's Master of Health Evaluation (MHE) program is Canada's first professional on-line course-based graduate degree program providing training in the evaluation of health programs and services.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirements for admission include:
- Overall B (75%) average in a four-year undergraduate degree program in a health or related field from a recognized university. Examples of backgrounds would include, but not be limited to, nursing, social science (e.g., psychology, social work), environmental health, medicine, physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy, optometry, and public health.
- Minimum of one year work or volunteer experience in an area relevant to public health, health promotion, health care, health systems, or program evaluation.
- An undergraduate course in statistics or research methods (with a minimum B+ average) recommended.
- Two letters of reference - one from an academic source, one from a relevant paid or volunteer work experience.
- Resume/CV indicating past academic and professional experience.
- A statement of interest explaining the applicant’s goals, aspirations, and potential for future leadership in the field.
- Certification of English language proficiency IF you have not completed three or more years of post-secondary work at a Canadian institution or a university at which English was the primary language of instruction, or have not completed a graduate degree at a university where English is the primary language of instruction, or have not been employed for a similar period of time in a position in which English was the primary language of business. For details and accepted proficiency tests, see the University of Waterloo's Graduate Studies English Language Proficiency page.
The Admissions Committee will determine the suitability of each applicant’s background for success in the program. Once approval has been granted by the faculty, students may be enrolled full-time or part-time.
The application deadline is February 1, 2014.
How to apply
The University of Waterloo uses an online application process for all University of Waterloo graduate programs.
Applying is a two-step process. First you must complete the online application. One to two business days after completing the online application you will be provided with access to your student file at the University of Waterloo where you will be directed to upload the supporting documentation.
To apply please refer to the Graduate Application Instructions.
Degree Requirements
As a student in the program, you'll be required to take nine (9) graduate-level courses. The program consists of seven (7) required courses, two (2) electives and a professional experience practicum component of at least 420 hours.
Required courses
Seven (7) core courses:
- PHS 614 – Foundations of Program Evaluation
- PHS 605 – Quantitative Methods & Analysis
- PHS 651 – Theory & Applications in Program Evaluation
- PHS 652 – Qualitative and Mixed Methods and Analysis
- PHS 653 – Program Evaluation Practice & Management
- PHS 654 – Systems Thinking and Analysis
- PHS 655 – Survey Methods
Elective courses
You must also complete two (2) elective courses. The following is a list of possible elective courses offered by the School of Public Health and Health Systems:
- HSG 609 – Population Intervention Research for Chronic Disease Prevention
- PHS 611 – Health Care System
- PHS 603 – Health Policy in Public Health
- PHS 606 – Principles of Epidemiology
- PHS 608 – Health and Risk Communication in Public Health
- PHS 609 – Management and Administration of Public Health Services
- PHS 617 – Population Intervention for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- PHS 632 – Health Economics and Public Health
- PHS 638 – Special Topics Course: Social Justice and Public Health
Following completion of the necessary prerequisite courses, students will conclude the program with a supervised Professional Experience Practicum (PHS 641).
Professional Experience Practicum
The professional experience practicum component provides a way for you to gain work experience in the field of health evaluation.
The 12-week (420 hours) professional experience component will provide opportunities to gain relevant practical experience working within a local public health unit, provincial and federal governmental agency, or non-governmental organization, etc. You'll build an understanding of the practical realities of health evaluation and be introduced to investigations and collaborative working relationships.
Based on the increased demand for health program or policy evaluators in the work force, many practicum sites may be interested in hiring MHE graduates. A professional experience component will enable employers to assess the skills of future graduates, which may lead to potential hire of the student upon graduation.
Choosing a practicum
As a student, you'll be required to find your own workplace opportunity suited to your career goals and aspirations and preferred practice environments and public health issues. However, you will receive on-going information from the School of Public Health and Health Systems throughout your studies regarding potential employers seeking students. The School of Public Health and Health Systems will ensure that workplace settings meet the following conditions:
- that the employer demonstrates commitment to education and student learning in the area of health evaluation;
- that the employer provides a meaningful learning experience for the MHE student;
- that MHE students receive a positive working experience in a practical setting that will enhance the skills acquired in their course work prior to the work term; and
- that the MHE students’ professional experience component goals are related to the program’s learning outcomes.
Supervision and assessment
Supervision and assessment of each professional experience component will be the joint responsibility of:
- a designated field supervisor employed within the organization where the professional experience takes place, and
- the designated MHE advisor, who will be a School of Public Health and Health System faculty member affiliated with the MHE program.
The field supervisor will have primary oversight and responsibility for the day-to-day work experience of the student(s), and may assign specific objectives, work tasks, training exercises, projects, and assignments as part of the basis for assessment of the student.
Your faculty MHE advisor will ensure that the professional experience is in accord with the overall educational objectives of the MHE program. He or she is available to assist both you and your field supervisor in questions of an advanced theoretical or conceptual nature, provide helpful advice when needed, and ensure the learning and academic integrity of the professional experience by helping to formulate learning objectives for each student and reviewing the assessment of each student at the end of their work experience.