Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health and Health Systems

The program information below was valid for the fall 2019 term (September 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • Successful completion of a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum 75% average. The Bachelor's degree will normally be in the biological sciences, behavioural health, health, public health, or social sciences.
  • Undergraduate experience including coursework in one or more of the behavioural, biological, developmental, health, or social sciences is advantageous, given the multidisciplinary nature of the program. Students should also have a suitable background in research design and statistics to meet prerequisite standards for all graduate level courses.
  • Students may be allowed to transfer into the PhD program directly from the SPHHS Master’s programs. Such students must have completed all Master’s coursework requirements, have demonstrated a superior academic record, and have evidence of prior research achievements (e.g., adjudicated research report, significant documented contribution as a co-author to a peer-reviewed publication, first author peer-reviewed publication).
• Application materials 
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Supplementary information form
    • Indicating reasons for pursuing graduate studies (e.g., discuss how a graduate degree maps onto your career plans) and outlining research interests.
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
    • Students must submit a copy of previous academic work, such as a publication, term paper, or Honours thesis written during the last two years of their undergraduate education.
• References 
  • Number of references:  2
  • Type of references: 

    preferably from faculty members

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• The normal minimum requirement will be 5 one-term (0.50 unit weight) graduate courses (3 required and 2 free electives or approved equivalents):

  • Required courses:

    • HLTH 601 Lifespan Approaches to Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

  • 2 of the following:

    • HLTH 605 Regression Models (or equivalent) or HLTH 705 Advanced Statistical Methods for Analyzing Public Health and Health Systems Data*

    • AHS 600 Foundations of Qualitative Research Methodologies (or equivalent) or HLTH 704 Advanced Qualitative Methods for Health Research*

    • HLTH 606 Epidemiological Methods (or equivalent) or HLTH 706 Advanced Epidemiological Methods*

    • HLTH 619 Fundamental Research Methods in Health Informatics (or equivalent) or HLTH 719 Advanced Research Methods in Health Informatics*

  • Elective courses:

    • 2 free elective courses, selected in consultation with the supervisor (may include courses outside SPHHS, or any courses offered by SPHHS, including additional courses from the required list, online courses, etc.)

    • *It is highly recommended that MSc students with a strong background or previous training in one of these areas take the 700-level equivalent in place of the 600-level course requirement (e.g., those with a strong statistical background may opt to take HLTH 705). Such decisions should be made in collaboration with the supervisor.

• At a minimum, students must obtain an average of 75% or higher in aggregate on the courses presented in fulfilment of the degree requirements. Grades on all courses presented to fulfill the degree requirements must be 70% or higher. A grade below 70% in any course or failing to maintain an average of 75% will necessitate a review of the student's status by the School and may result in a student being required to complete additional coursework or being required to withdraw from the program. The School reserves the right to stipulate additional coursework if it is necessary for the student's preparation.

Link(s) to courses

• Health Studies (HLTH) courses

Academic Integrity Workshop

Graduate Studies Seminar I

• The Fall term segment of the seminar will provide a weekly opportunity for MSc students in their first term of study to attend research seminars led by SPHHS faculty members and senior graduate students. In addition, opportunities will be arranged for students to participate in workshops relating to research methods, presentation skills, grantsmanship, or to attend guest lectures delivered by scholars from outside SPHHS.

Graduate Studies Seminar II

• The Winter term segment of the seminar will provide a weekly opportunity for MSc students in their second term of study to participate in a journal club led by members of their cohort. Each student will be responsible for selecting one article, providing an electronic copy to the instructors to allow for placement on the course website, and then leading discussion around the article’s purpose, content, strengths, and limitations. In addition, students will be expected to read through the articles chosen by their colleagues, and actively participate in the discussion held each week.

Master’s Thesis

• For the Master's thesis, an approved topic is required and will be defended in an oral examination. The MSc thesis committee consists of a minimum of three faculty and includes the student's supervisor, appointed in the School, and at least one other member of the School of Public Health and Health Systems faculty. One committee member may be from outside the School (whether from within the university or from another university). The composition of the Thesis Advisory Committee must be approved by the School’s Graduate Committee.