phd in health sciences canada

PhD Public Health Sciences

 OUR PhD PROGRAM 2023

The Department of Public Health Sciences has broadened its PhD program to include all areas of research expertise represented in our faculty including, but not limited to, epidemiology, biostatistics, qualitative, mixed- and community-based methods, the use of health and public-health services, program evaluation, clinical epidemiology, health equity, global health, indigenous health, and health economics.

Our programs place an emphasis on close faculty-student relations and a philosophy that puts the student first. Through coursework, thesis opportunities, and involvement in the academic life of our department, our students graduate with an in-depth understanding of public health research. Our graduates are able to function as independent investigators in academic, health-research institutes and health-research government agencies, or as emerging public-health leaders in government or the private sector.

In the coming year, our PhD program in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University has a number of exciting opportunities for qualified applicants. The following members of our department have each expressed an interest in supervising a new PhD student:  

Dr. Susan Bartels is a Clinician-Scientist in the Department of Emergency Medicine with a cross appointment to Public Health Sciences. Her research focuses on the health and well-being of women and children affected by humanitarian crises around the globe. Dr. Bartels is interested in the social determinants of health and uses innovative research methods to provide evidence intended to inform policy and programming that will improve health outcomes and mitigate the risks of natural disasters, armed conflict and forced displacement.  

Dr. Susan Brogly is an epidemiologist with research interests in the area of perinatal epidemiology, surgical outcomes, and advanced epidemiologic methods. Dr. Brogly used both population-based administrative health care data (ICES, Medicaid) and primary data collection in her studies.  

Dr. Steven Brooks is a Clinician-Scientist and Emergency Physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine who conducts research in the areas of cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Dr. Brooks may have availability for a PhD student willing to work with the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network. This is a developing registry funded by CIHR and the Ontario government, tracking patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 who attend one of 50 EDs in the country.

Dr. Bingshu Chen is a biostatistician with an interest in survival analysis and generalized linear models. He has developed biomarker threshold models to predict treatment benefit in cancer clinical trials. His other research interests include analysis of health economic data, statistics computing and missing data problems.  

Dr. Anne Duffy is a Clinician-Scientist. She has longitudinal data spanning two decades in high-risk offspring of bipolar parents and has up to two years of psychosocial, clinical and familial data from a representative cohort of undergraduate university students to understand mental health and academic outcomes. These databases provide several opportunities that would make for an interesting thesis including using joint modelling, multi-state and survival analysis. Further information on Dr. Duffy’s research can be found at: https://www.mdco.ca/research/ .

Dr. Jennifer Flemming is a Clinician-Scientist who studies the link between cirrhosis and biliary tract cancer and the burden of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in Ontario. She uses large population-based databases housed at ICES. Her goal is to improve management strategies for Canadians with liver disease.

Dr. Ana Johnson is a health economist who conducts economic evaluations of health care programs, cost-effectiveness analyses, assessments of resource allocations and use of health technologies.

Dr. Will King is a molecular epidemiologist whose research program seeks to identify modifiable risk factors for cancer. Dr. King studies intermediate markers of cancer risk and genetic susceptibility to better understand environment-cancer relationships.

Dr. Diane Lougheed is a Clinician-Scientist with a research interest in asthma and the development of better information technologies to improve the care of patients with asthma. Dr. Lougheed conducts health services and outcomes research and guideline implementation research in asthma and often uses the ICES data holdings to conduct her work.

Dr. Zihang Lu is a Biostatistician. His research focuses on developing and applying statistical and machine learning methods to answer clinical and epidemiological research questions. His current research interests are in longitudinal data, survival data and high-dimensional data modeling. He is also interested in Bayesian statistics, causal inference and data fusion.

Dr. Maria Ospina is an associate professor with the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University, and a clinical epidemiologist, and population-health researcher in the areas of perinatal and early childhood health. Her research program (DMETRE) uses a life-course approach and a variety of epidemiological methods (observational studies, systematic reviews, GIS analysis, mixed-methods designs), to assess the developmental origins of health inequalities, and how critical periods of human development such as pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of life influence future health.

Dr. Paul Peng is a is a biostatistician with research interests in survival analysis with a focus on cure models, longitudinal and panel data modeling, statistical computation methods for big data, biostatistical methods for epidemiological and clinical trial research.

Dr. William Pickett is in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University, and an Adjunct Professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. He is a trained epidemiologist whose research interests include: injury and violence prevention; injury and illness in rural and farm populations; and health and its social determinants in adolescent populations, with a primary focus on pediatric violence and injury. Using public health surveillance, analytical and experimental epidemiology, and mixed methods approaches, this work has provided critical insight for policy/health promotion initiatives in Canada, the US and Europe.

Dr. Amrita Roy is a family physician and MD-PhD clinician-scientist in the Departments of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Queen’s. A settler ally with a research focus in Indigenous health, Dr. Roy works in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples in community-engaged research centred on the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP). Apart from Indigenous health, Dr. Roy’s other areas of research interest include immigrant and refugee health, women’s health, youth health, and global health. Methodologically, Dr. Roy has expertise in quantitative, qualitative, mixed- and multiple-methods approaches to health research, in addition to community-based and participatory research approaches.  Fall 2023 PhD opportunity with Dr. Roy:  Opportunity for a PhD student starting fall 2023 in a CIHR-funded Indigenous health research project on sleep and mental health, in partnership with Akwesasne Mohawk Nation .

Dr. Sahar Saeed is an epidemiologist and health-services researcher. Dr. Saeed primarily investigates retention and access to health care among populations including persons living with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and chronic liver disease. She uses primary data collection, population-based administrative health-care data and novel surveillance tools (GPS) to answer her research questions. For more information on her research interest, visit her website at Epidemiologist | Sahar Saeed .

Dr. Bradley Stoner is Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Sciences and Professor of Medicine at Queen’s University. An infectious disease physician and medical anthropologist, Dr. Stoner’s research focuses on the epidemiology, clinical care, control and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV. 

Dr. Wei Tu  is a biostatistician with research interests in data science and its application in health care. His research focuses on translating different sources of high-dimensional data into informed clinical decision-making. The topics he is working on include personalized medicine, data privacy and causal inference.  

Dr. Maria Velez is a Clinician-Scientist with research interests in reproductive and perinatal epidemiology. Her current research program focuses on infertility and pregnancy outcomes, and the reproductive health of young women with cancer. She uses population-based cohort studies including databases housed at ICES.  

Dr. Paul Villeneuve is an environmental and occupational epidemiologist. His research program is focused on quantifying the health effects from exposure to outdoor air pollution, noise, low levels of radiation, as well as the benefits of urban greenness and walkability.  In addition to carrying out spatiotemporal exposure studies in Canada and Grenada (West Indies), he also uses large population-based databases housed in Statistics Canada’s Research Data Centers, and ICES.

If you have a demonstrable interest in the work of one or more of these professors we encourage you to reach out to them to discuss the possibility of supervision.

Our PhD students are guaranteed minimum funding of $21K per year for four years with further income possibilities coming from Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, or Research Fellowships. Many of our students receive national or provincial scholarships.

For further information about our PhD Program, you can contact the Reserach Program Director, Dr. Ian Janssen at [email protected]    or the Graduate Assistant at [email protected] .  Note that all applicants must meet the entry requirements to the program:  https://phs.queensu.ca/programs-courses/degree-programs/phd-public-health-sciences/how-apply  

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Affiliated Research Groups

• Canadian Cancer Trials Group
• Centre for Health Services and Policy Research 
• Emergency Medicine & Injury Research Group
• Cancer Care & Epidemiology, Queen's Cancer Research Institute
• Queen's - ICES Health Services Research 
• Centre for Studies in Primary Care
• Centre for Obesity and Research Education 
• Practice and Research on Nursing (PRN) Group
• KFL &A Public Health

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PhD in Health Sciences Education

• Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
• Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Health Sciences Education
• Medical and Health Sciences Education Electives
• Meakins Fellowship
• Class of Medicine 1970 Educational Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation

Applications for Fall 2025 will open on September 15, 2024.

The PhD in Health Sciences Education is a unique, interdisciplinary and interprofessional program offered by McGill University’s Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE), within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

This program uses a theoretical approach to guide aspiring researchers in health professions and health sciences education (HSE) to develop the skills to make conceptually informed design and methodological choices in their research projects.

After completing the program, students will join a new, innovative and fast-growing field in the health sciences, where researchers from a broad range of disciplines contribute practice-informed evidence that advances:

• societal health and well-being
• the quality and safety of patient care
• the education of the next generation of health care professionals.

As PhD students are based at the IHSE, a unit specially devoted to the field in Canada, they will also gain opportunities for networking, collaboration and mentorship, as well as access to research and clinical sites.

The PhD program is offered on a full-time basis at the IHSE, located on the McGill University campus in downtown Montreal.  

Who should apply?

This program is designed for qualified candidates from various disciplines (e.g. health professions, biomedical and natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, and education) who possess a strong background in teaching, mentoring, coaching and educational scholarship.

As this program focuses on theoretical perspectives and research design, it is expected that candidates aspire to produce original and theoretically informed research and contribute to new evidence within HSE.

Accepted candidates will be eager to develop expertise in research, educational scholarship, knowledge translation (including written and oral communication), leadership, research mentoring, capacity building, career development and grant writing.

Structure and Delivery

This four-year PhD program covers a broad spectrum of topics within health professions education and health sciences education.

Completing the PhD program involves:

• completing mandatory courses (see below) that focus on theoretical perspectives of relevant topics and research design during the first two years
• completing an advanced methodology course of the student’s choosing
• passing a comprehensive written and oral examination, which will cover the content of the mandatory courses and the student’s own research project
• producing, submitting and defending a PhD thesis, as an original and theoretically informed contribution to health sciences education.

During the third year, students are expected to continue to work on their thesis and are expected to submit their thesis by the end of the fourth year. Students will also deliver an oral defense of their research project.  

Course Information and Assessment

The following courses in the PhD program are mandatory in the first two years of the program:

Health Sciences Education: The relationship between research knowledge and health educational practice, including the continuum of knowledge creation and engagement; education and healthcare systems, including research on: policy, governance and regulation; program design and teaching and learning approaches in health sciences education (HSE); assessment and evaluation frameworks, including: quantitative and qualitative approaches; social accountability in HSE and HSE research including: equity, diversity and inclusion; and professional research skills, including: research management, academic communication in various genres, and research supervision.

Offered by: Health Sciences Education

• Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor
• Students must register for both HSED 702D1 and HSED 702D2
• No credit will be given for this course unless both HSED 702D1 and HSED 702D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
• Language of instruction is English.
• Peter I Nugus

Health Sciences Education: For description see HSED 702D1 .

• Prerequisite: HSED 702D1
• Winter 2025
• Maryam Wagner, Carlos A Gomez-Garibello

Health Sciences Education: Various frameworks, theories and methodologies that contribute to health sciences education (HSE) research, and how these elements fit together to make a particular project coherent. Examination of the character of inter-disciplinary academic contributions and foci in HSE research. Emphasis on different types of research perspectives (such as constructionism, postmodernism and positivism) and approaches (qualitative, quantitative, participatory and mixed-methods).

• Language of Instruction is English.
• Meredith E Young

Health Sciences Education: An examination process covering two components: a written component and an oral component. Submission of a written proposal for examination which, following responses or amendments and re-examination, is the basis of an oral examination. The comprehensive examination must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.

• Prerequisites: HSED 702 , HSED 703
• Language of instruction is English

Program Details

Instructors and supervisors.

Tamara Carver , PhD, Director of the Office of Ed-TECH, Associate Professor, Institute of Health Sciences Education and Associate Member, Department of Surgery

Carlos Gomez-Garibello , PhD, Assistant Professor, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Jason M. Harley , MA, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Associate Member, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Elizabeth Anne Kinsella , MAdEd, PhD, Director and Full Professor, Institute of Health Sciences Education and Associate Member, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy

Sylvie Lambert , RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Ingram School of Nursing and Principal Scientist, St. Mary’s Research Centre

Monica Molinaro , PhD, Assistant Professor, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Peter Nugus , MA (Hons), MEd, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Director (Graduate Programs), Institute of Health Sciences Education and Associate Member, Department of Family Medicine and Department of Oncology

David Ragsdale , PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Associate Member, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Charo Rodríguez , MD, MSc, PhD, Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Associate Member, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Linda Snell , MD, MHPE, Professor and Associate Director (Outreach), Institute of Health Sciences Education and Professor, Department of Medicine

Yvonne Steinert , PhD, CM, Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Faculty Member, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Aliki Thomas , PhD, OT, Associate Professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and Associate Member, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Maryam Wagner , BSc, BEd, MEd, PhD, Assistant Professor, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Meredith Young , BSc, PhD, Associate Director (Research) and Associate Professor, Institute of Health Sciences Education

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply through McGill University's Slate application system . To be considered for this program, candidates must provide:

• The transcripts of the applicant should show a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.4 out of a possible maximum CGPA of 4.0, or a GPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 for the last two years of full-time studies.
• A personal statement (1-2 pages)
• A curriculum vitae (CV) identifying the candidate’s formal qualifications, scholarly outputs, background or experience as an educator, work experience, any relevant prizes received, any financial awards/grants received for scholarly work, and any community or professional service that would demonstrate potential contribution to and engagement with the IHSE community.
• A writing sample (no more than 10 pages) that should showcase the candidate’s writing ability. It could be a published article, book chapter or assignment submitted in a previous course.
• Two written references, which should convey the candidate’s ability, attitude, commitment, productivity and work ethic, that would enable them to successfully complete a PhD in Health Sciences Education.
• A research proposal (up to 1-page description, does not include reference list) of your PhD research interests that you would want to pursue in your studies. You may wish to also describe methods and/or methodologies of interest to you. Although this is not expected to be a complete or final proposal, it should show that the candidate has given thought to the appropriate design and conduct of a research proposal that is situated in the field of health sciences education. It is suggested that the candidate use headings, such as Introduction/Background, Methodology and Expected Contributions.

The Slate application system has separate sections for uploading transcripts and details of referees. Other documents need to be uploaded under “Supporting Documents”. Candidates are also expected to attend an online or in-person interview with the prospective supervisor and the Associate Director (Graduate Programs) prior to or during the application process.

We expect candidates to ensure they meet the full criteria for admission before applying.

Research Domains

Students can choose from a range of topics within HSE research for their research project. At the IHSE, members are engaged in a wide variety of educational topics related to health care, including:

• Professionalism and Professional Identity Formation
• Faculty Development and Continuing Professional Development
• Innovations in Teaching and Learning
• Assessment and Program Evaluation
• Decision-Making and Clinical Reasoning
• Education and Health Care Systems

Cutting across these domains are the following principles and strategies, which reflect the IHSE’s commitment to patient- and learner-centred research:

• Advancement of Theory and Research Methodology
• Development of Policy and Practice
• Knowledge Translation
• Social Accountability

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for this program can be found on the Student Accounts website . On this site, you will find tuition fees and charges for each semester. These may fluctuate based on annual adjustments to the fees and charges.

For the duration of their PhD, students are required to apply for scholarships each year to fund their studies.

Benefits and Professional Opportunities

Upon completion of the PhD in Health Sciences Education, the student is expected to be able to:

Design, conduct and disseminate a conceptually coherent and ethical research project, which makes an original contribution to the field of HSE research

Demonstrate a core area of content expertise, based on detailed understanding of different approaches and perspectives related to HSE research

• Demonstrate a core area of methodological expertise relevant to HSE research

Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between topics in HSE research, and the conceptual, professional, policy, translational and social accountability implications of various HSE research topics and perspectives

Facilitate knowledge production and knowledge exchange from a range of conceptual and methodological perspectives, to address a range of research and applied challenges in HSE

Engage and develop new ways of learning that result in interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration, with strong understanding of and ability to navigate complex applied health services and contextual issues

Develop HSE research networks both within academia as well as the broader health sciences, educational, institutional, and policy-oriented communities to facilitate knowledge translation and exchange

Furthermore, the student may find employment in:

A medicine and health sciences faculty within a university as a professor, researching and teaching health sciences education

The health system, as a clinician-educator or clinical education manager (e.g. medical or surgical residency director, or nursing preceptor)

The health system or in a university, undertaking research and practice in the management and facilitation of accreditation, curriculum development, learning, or assessment and evaluation

Policy-making in education or health care

Industry, as a strategic learning development lead in, for example, the biotech, pharmaceutical or medical equipment industry

For more information, please contact: Institute of Health Sciences Education Lady Meredith House, Room 205 1110 Pine Avenue West Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A3 E-mail: gradcoord-ihse.med [at] mcgill.ca

Please note: McGill University reserves the right to make changes to the program, content, and services as it deems necessary.

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Phd in health sciences.

Notice: At the time of application to the PhD Health Sciences Program, all applicants must provide proof of communication with a potential supervisor . This proof of communication should indicate their interest and willingness to review said application, and upon acceptance to the program, agree to supervise. 

*Applicable Supervisors for the PhD in Health Sciences :

Susan Burke , Associate Professor (SOCW) Davina Banner- Lukaris , Professor (NURS) Russell Callaghan , Professor (NMP) Sarah de Leeuw , Professor (NMP), Adjunct Prof (HSc) Shannon Freeman , Associate Professor (NURS) Kendra Furber , Tenured and Associate Professor (NMP) Andrea Gingerich , Associate Professor (NMP) Sarah Gray , Professor (NMP)  Waqar Haque , Professor (Computer Sci, Business) Neil Hanlon , Professor (GEOG) R.Luke Harris , Associate Professor (HSC) Dawn Hemingway , Professor Emerita Kevin Keen , Professor (Math & Statistics) Chow Lee , Professor (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology) Rob Olson , Professor (UBC) Linda O'Neill , Professor (PSYC) Margot Parkes , Professor (Health Sciences, NMP) Chelsea Pelletier, Associate Professor (HSC) Geoffrey Payne , Professor (Biochemistry, Northern Medical Program) Stephen Rader , Professor (Biochemistry, Chemistry) Caroline Sanders , Professor (NURS) Daniel Sims , Associate Professor (FNST) Angele Smith , Associate Professor (ANTH) Catherine Whalen , Associate Professor (EDUC) Catharine Schiller , Associate Professor (NURS) Indrani Margolin , Professor (SOCW) Hartley Banack , Assistant Professor (EDUC) Martha MacLeod , Professor Emerita (NURS) Ranjana Bird, Professor (HHSC)

The PhD (Health Sciences) is interdisciplinary in nature with the intent of addressing the needs of health science researchers and professionals in BC and beyond. The student completes coursework and undertakes research demonstrated with a dissertation of original and innovative research in health sciences; the research is at the forefront of their chosen area. Through their dissertation, students will demonstrate their knowledge of developing and carrying out independent research, synthesizing information using qualitative and/or quantitative skills, and making informed judgments and arguments based on fundamental concepts.

It is the responsibility of the student, in cooperation with his/her supervisor, to ensure that a supervisory committee is formed.  The supervisor must be an approved supervisor for the PhD Health Science Graduate Program.

It is not necessary that PhD Health Sciences supervisors be formally assigned to the School of Health Sciences; however, all primary supervisors must hold a tenure - track or tenured faculty appointment with UNBC.  In every case, all primary supervisors (including co-supervisors) must meet the criteria to be a sole primary supervisor.

PhD Health Sciences supervisory committees will consist of the student's supervisor/ co-supervisor and three others.  At least one committee member must be considered "external" (i.e, outside of the School of Health Sciences as well as the student's direct area of study), with justification for external status provided to and approved by the VP Research and Graduate Studies.

Additional external committee members may be appointed, subject to needs of the discipline of speciality in which the student is working.  The membership of the student's committee and the planned program of study must be reported to the VP Research and Graduate Studies as soon as possible.  Identification of the committee is is preferred by the end of the first semester of study; however, this process recognizes that committee membership is dependent on dissertation topic, and firm identification of topic may not be completed during this first semester.  Committee membership should be listed on the appropriate form and provided to the Office of the VP Research and Graduate Studies. 

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• Master of Public Health (MPH)
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• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Doctor of Philosophy

Our PhD program immerses students in advanced research in health sciences, and equips them with the skills, expertise, and critical-thinking to succeed in academia and beyond. Our interdisciplinary approach to research encourages cross-functional collaboration on pressing issues, like global health, environmental health and toxicology, maternal and child health, epidemiology and disease prevention, chronic and infectious diseases, population and public health, mental health & addiction, social inequities and health outcomes, adolescent and child development, reproductive health, and health policy.

Study:  Full time

Length:  Minimum of three years

Workload:  Full time

Coursework:  Minimum of 6 units

Cost:  $2107/term x 9 terms = $18,966 minimum total tuition, plus $395/term in ancillary fees. See this breakdown of the  typical costs per term  for graduate domestic and international students, and try the  cost of living calculator . Graduate tuition and mandatory fees are subject to change. 

All PhD students in the Faculty of Health Sciences receive financial support either from scholarships, teaching appointments, or professors' research grants. The minimum PhD stipend is  $28,000 per year for four years.  More information is available in the full policy .

There are a variety of awards for incoming students, and deadlines are usually prior to program entry.  Learn more

All PhD candidates complete a minimum of 6 units of graduate coursework.

Typical PhD course plan

Comprehensive exam

The comprehensive paper can include a critical review of the literature relevant to your research question, discussion of theoretical frameworks, or an in-depth analysis of the specific content area. You will choose your question or topic in collaboration with your supervisory committee.

Thesis proposal

You will prepare a written research proposal that integrates theory, current research and methods in fields related to your research problem. Normally, the proposal reviews the relevant research literature, reflects original work and describes methodology appropriate to the principal research question(s).

A written thesis is the final requirement of the PhD program. Typically, it will include an introduction to your research, research materials and methods, result and analyses, and discussion. You must pass the formal thesis defence to earn your degree.

Do you have questions about becoming a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences?  Email one of our current students  if you'd like more information about student life in our programs.

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Quality

Click here to learn how to apply!

The PhD in Health Quality (PhDHQ) will prepare experts who will improve the delivery of healthcare through teaching, developing new methodologies and theoretical frameworks, as well as testing innovation in the field of health quality. The PhDHQ program offers a collaborative approach to comprehend and address the complexities within the healthcare system. Graduates of the program will be prepared to take senior leadership roles in health quality portfolios in practice and policy settings across Canada and will also be educated to assume tenure track positions in university programs. While the degree is research intensive, it will also be grounded in pragmatism and will help prepare independent researchers for quality improvement research and developing leadership capabilities in health settings.

The PhDHQ program is a four-year, interdisciplinary program using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous study as well as interactive online videoconferencing. The PhDHQ program consists of five (5) courses in year one, including an internship over the summer months. The internship will be tailored to the learners’ interests and to broadening their perspectives on health quality. In the fall term of year two, students complete the comprehensive exam. In the winter and summer terms of year two (2) students will focus on the development of their thesis proposal and complete HQRS 905 Current Topics in Health Quality. After a successful oral examination of the thesis proposal, students submit their project for ethics review and then proceed to data collection, analysis, and writing. The thesis requires independent, original research and makes up at least two-thirds of the time normally required for the program. Upper year students are expected to visit campus at least once per year; students are required to attend the final thesis examination in person. Nurtured by close mentoring relationships with faculty supervisors, the Queen’s model is to ensure graduate students present and publish their research, and normally complete their program in 4 years.

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Health Sciences (Doctoral program)

Program details.

Faculty Health Sciences

Degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Delivery method Hybrid online/in-class

Location Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa

Start dates September

Length Approximately 48 months, based on full-time study

Program load Full-time

Program format Courses with a PhD research thesis

The doctoral program in Health Sciences focuses on providing students with opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills required to conduct high-quality research that culminates into a   PhD   research thesis.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM POSTCARD

• Admission requirements
• Application deadlines
• How to apply

Academic requirements:

• Completion of a research project or thesis-based master's-level degree in Health Sciences, Health Informatics, Kinesiology or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Minimum B+ average (GPA: 3.3 on a 4.3 scale or 77 to 79 per cent).

Required supporting documents:

Please see the   checklist of required documents  for a list of supporting documentation that must be submitted with your application.

Additional requirements:

Admission depends on the identification of a supervisor who will provide significant support (faculty member has agreed to supervise) and the applicant’s exceptional academic qualities. It is recommended that applicants contact a potential supervisor and/or the graduate program director before formally applying.

Required test scores for English language proficiency:

Please see   application deadlines   for specific dates. Note that the application deadlines listed are for both the online application and all supporting documentation.

Applications for admission to all graduate studies programs are submitted online. There are five steps you must go through to complete the application process. See   application process and requirements   for step-by-step instructions.

Many of our graduate programs are extremely competitive; the number of qualified applicants normally exceeds the number of seats available for each intake. Satisfaction of minimum entry requirements does not ensure admission.

Graduate training focuses on research conducted in one of three key areas in the Health Sciences:

• Community, Public and Population Health
• Health Informatics
• Community, Public and Population Health Students in the Community, Public and Population Health stream will develop a broad understanding of how the physical and social context shapes health, illness and health care. In particular, this includes research and analysis of cultural and economic differences and their implications for health and health care for diverse populations. Students will learn strategies to engage communities in efforts to reduce illness and promote health.
• Health Informatics Students in the Health Informatics stream will develop strategies to actively participate in multidisciplinary collaborations with diverse groups (e.g., patients, clinicians, health care managers, computer scientists, engineers) and will learn to assess and deploy the latest in computing and informatics systems to support efficient health care delivery. The Health Informatics stream prepares students to identify, develop and manage health care information systems that support health care administration, management, policy, training, clinical management and clinical research.
• Kinesiology Students in the Kinesiology stream will synthesize current research and integrate practical and theoretical knowledge to understand how and why exercise and physical activity can be used as an intervention to promote health and well-being in a range of populations, including those with developmental delays; children and adolescents; adults with chronic pain, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, psychiatric and neurological disease; as well as recreational and high-performance athletes. Students will have the option of diverse research experiences in the kinesiology area ranging from intensive laboratory-based studies with human populations to interventional studies with special populations.

Faculty website

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Research areas

Community, Public and Population Health:

• Chronic disease management
• Environmental health
• Health promotion
• Health and wellness of vulnerable populations
• Health policy
• Infectious disease
• Inequalities in health
• Mental health
• Social determinants of health

Health Informatics:

• Cloud computing in health care
• Health-care simulation
• Knowledge discovery in health care
• Mobility in health care
• Serious games in health care

Kinesiology:

• Exercise physiology
• Motor control
• Motor development
• Movement and neural plasticity
• Multidisciplinary influences on participation in physical activity
• Multidisciplinary influences on development of high-performance athletes
• Occupational biomechanics and ergonomics
• Pedagogy and physical eduation
• Physical activity promotion and diverse populations
• Physical activity and youth development
• Role of exercise in promoting health and function
• Skill acquisition in sport

Learn more about the research areas within this program and find research experts by visiting the  faculty’s website  and  the university's Expert Centre .

Additional information

Internal awards and funding.

Applicants to research-based graduate programs who are studying full-time are automatically considered for some types of funding at the time of admission.

Types of funding that do not require an application:

• Entrance scholarships
• Minimum funding packages
• Teaching assistantships, research assistantships and graduate research assistantships

For more details on the above funding opportunities, see   graduate student awards and funding .

Please note:   Part-time students are not eligible for the above funding opportunities.

External awards and funding

Graduate program applicants are encouraged to apply for   external awards   to help finance their education. The application process differs for each competition, so review the information carefully to determine where and when you must apply.   Please note:   The majority of these awards are for domestic or permanent residents only.

Tuition fees for graduate programs are charged on a flat-fee or fee-per-credit basis and vary by program and student status.

For current, specific fees and details on flat-fee versus fee-per-credit programs, please see   tuition and fees .

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

• PhD: Social and Behavioural Health Sciences
• Our Programs
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Overview

The PhD course of study includes a set of common requirements with flexibility to enable the student to pursue a unique learning experience tailored to his/her learning needs and research problem focus.  The program permits students to pursue their area of interest from different levels of understanding and theoretical perspectives.

The program enables students to take advantage of what the university/program faculty has to offer, and assists them in tailoring their studies according to their own experiences, scholarly interests, career direction and aspirations.  This program also participates and encourages participation in a variety of interdisciplinary graduate University of Toronto Collaborative Specializations .

Features of the program:

• Emphasizes the application of concepts, theories, models and methods concerned with the structures and processes that underlie health and health promotion, illness, premature mortality, injury and disability;
• Emphasizes research methodology (philosophy and design) and research methods (techniques);
• Seeks to develop substantive knowledge and critical analytic ability at multiple levels of analysis, from the “micro” individual level to the “macro” societal level;
• Fosters a reflexive and critical perspective on theory and methodology; and
• Adopts a model of independent student scholarship.

The requirements of the   PhD Program in Social & Behavioural Health Sciences (SBHS) include:

• Qualifying exam
• Thesis proposal defense
• Thesis defense: A) Departmental defense B) Final oral examination

Admission Requirements

The application deadline for the September 2024 start was on November 24th at 11:59pm EST .   See Application Process  for information about the admission process.  Click  here  to view minimum application requirements for a PhD Program. Click here for information on our  funding package  and for information on the university’s  funding policies . To identify potential supervisors, please visit our  faculty database  which is searchable by research interest. While you are not required to have a confirmed match with a supervisor at the time of your application, it is strongly recommended that you list one or more potential supervisors in your letter of intent to help demonstrate fit with our program. Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in advance to determine their capacity to take on new doctoral students.

Additional Admission Requirements for the PhD

• A match between the student’s research area and potential supervisor’s expertise
• Background (course, experience) in social sciences and/or health sciences
• Graduate level quantitative or qualitative methods courses/background

Course Requirements

Coursework (reflects minimum requirements)

Course Requirements (3.0 FCE)

Required Courses:

• CHL5101H : Social and Behavioural Theory and Health
• CHL5102H : Social and Political Forces in Health Care
• To be selected according to the student’s interests and educational needs, in consultation with the supervisor.
• By the end of their degree, students should aim to have working knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative methods, and to achieve proficiency in one of these approaches.
• 2 electives

Please note that students can satisfy coursework requirements with courses from across the DLSPH and University of Toronto. We encourage students to seek out such courses.

Qualifying Examination

The purpose of the qualifying exam (QE) is to assess the student’s capacity to understand, apply, and compare theoretical perspectives that are taught in the Social and Behavioural Health Sciences (SBHS) core theory courses (CHL5101H and CHL5102H). Specifically, the QE process will assess the student’s ability to theorize a topic using two different theoretical approaches and to propose theoretically sophisticated research questions that would advance the student’s topic area of interest and may be used for the dissertation. The qualifying examination is written during the months of May and June of the student’s first year.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED QUALIFYING EXAM GUIDELINES

Thesis Proposal Defense

The thesis proposal defense is a requirement for candidacy and for full-time students, should be completed by April of the second year, or earlier if possible.

The purpose of the proposal defense is to:

• Ensure that the proposed research will result in a successful PhD dissertation.
• Strengthen the thesis question, theoretical framework, design, and methods through critical feedback.
• Assess the student’s ability to conduct independent and original research.
• Assess the student’s knowledge base relevant to their thesis topic.
• Provide a formal approval to proceed with the dissertation research.

DETAILED proposal defense GUIDELINES

Supervision

Successful applicants will have research interests congruent with those of one or more members of faculty. Thus, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek out potential supervisors, and discuss with them the possibility of studying under their supervision, prior to applying to the degree program. Applicants should note that identifying a potential supervisor does not guarantee admission. PhD students must be supervised by a faculty member who has an appointment in the Division of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences (SBHS) and Full Membership in the School of Graduate Studies (SGS).  A co-supervisor generally will be a faculty member with Associate Membership in the SGS. Other faculty in Public Health Sciences outside of SBHS  may be eligible to supervise with the approval of the Program Director.  The Program Director must approve the final selection of the primary supervisor and co-supervisor. The faculty supervisor may be confirmed prior to beginning the program, and should be in place by the end of the first term.  Students are encouraged to explore broadly and have wide-ranging discussions with potential supervisors.

Upon admission to the PhD Program, students and supervisors should review and complete the Graduate Department of Public Health Sciences PhD Student-Supervisor Conversation Checklist .

Students have the right to appropriate assistance and guidance from their supervisors. Supervisors and students are required to meet on a regular basis throughout the program to discuss academic, financial and personal matters related to the student’s progress. Students should assume responsibility for contacting the supervisor, arranging meetings, and setting agenda for committee meetings.

In rare circumstances, it may be necessary for students to change their area of research and/or their supervisor. In these cases, the first step would be for students to discuss the potential change with their supervisor and/or PhD Program Director.

Supervisor Role and Responsibilities

The supervisor is responsible for providing mentorship to the student through all phases of the PhD program. Thus; to the extent possible, the supervisor will guide the selection of courses, dissertation topic, supervisory committee membership, and supervisory committee meetings; will assist with applications for funding; will provide funding to the student directly when it is possible for them to do so; and will provide references for the student on a timely basis. The supervisor also will provide feedback on the student’s selection of theories and reading lists for the qualifying examination. The supervisor will guide the development of the student’s research proposal, and the implementation and conduct of all aspects of the research; advise on writing the dissertation; correct drafts and approve the final dissertation; and attend the defense.

For more information about student and supervisor roles and responsibilities, please see the School of Graduate Studies Graduate Supervision Guidelines .

Supervisory Committee

With the assistance of the supervisor, and with the approval of the Program Director, the student will assemble a Supervisory Committee no later than the end of their second term in the program (i.e., by May of their first year).

Composition of the Supervisory Committee

The Supervisory Committee generally will comprise the supervisor and at least two members who hold either Full or Associate Membership in the SGS and may or may not hold a primary appointment in SBHS. Between these individuals and the supervisor, there should be expertise in all substantive, theoretical and methodological areas relevant to the Student’s research focus and dissertation proposal.

Supervisory Committee meetings will be held at least every six (6) months throughout the student’s PhD program. More regular meetings should be held with the supervisor. Under certain circumstances (e.g., during times of very rapid progress), the student and the Supervisory Committee may decide there is a need for more frequent meetings.

At the end of every meeting of the Supervisory Committee, the student and the Committee will complete the Supervisory Committee Meeting Report . All present must sign the report; in case the meeting is held virtually, the supervisor and committee members can e-sign the report. A scanned or paper copy of the report should be e-mailed/delivered to the SBHS Admin Assistant at sbhs.dlsph@utoronto.ca .

The Graduate Department of Public Health Sciences will keep a copy of the report in the student’s progress file.

Progress Through the PhD

The phases of the PhD program are identified by a set of accomplishments which the student generally will attain in order, and within a satisfactory time. These phases, which will be monitored by the Program Director of the PhD program, are the identification of the Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee, completion of required and elective course work, completion of the qualifying examination, defense of the research proposal, and defense of the dissertation (both Departmental and SGS). Full-time students are expected to complete the PhD within four years. Flex-time students may take longer, but not more than eight years; they must submit a revised list of milestones, for approval by the Supervisor and the Program Director.

 view the SBHS PhD Timeline

Dissertation

The PhD dissertation must demonstrate an original contribution to scholarship. The nature of the dissertation is agreed upon by the supervisor and the student, in consultation with a Thesis Committee.  The Student should aim to defend the dissertation within four years of entry into the PhD program. The defense of the dissertation will take place in two stages: first, a Departmental defense, second, a formal defense (the Final Oral Examination) before a University committee according to procedures established by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). The two defenses generally are separated by at least eight weeks.

a)  Departmental Defense:

The Departmental defense will be held after the completed dissertation has been approved by all members of the student’s Supervisory Committee, and the completion of the final Supervisory Committee meeting report. The purpose of this defense is to rehearse the oral presentation for the SGS defense and to determine whether the student is ready for the SGS defense.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED departmental defense procedureS

b)  School of Graduate Studies Final Oral Examination (FOE)

Arrangements for the PhD Final Oral Defense and for the preparation of the final thesis are given at length in the SGS calendar. The dissertation and the necessary documents must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to the oral exam. See the Graduate Department of Public Health Science  academic policies for forms and information for thesis preparation, including guidelines on multiple paper dissertations, and arranging the defense.

• Click here for Guidelines on Multiple Paper Dissertations
• Click here  for Producing Your Thesis guidelines on SGS website
• Click here  for Final Oral Exam Guidelines on SGS website

Student Profiles & Contact

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

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University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Community Health Sciences (PhD)

The Community Health Sciences (PhD) program prepares you for a career teaching community health sciences, training other researchers, designing and executing major research projects and serving as a senior advisor or consultant in health care policy and planning. Gain broad multidisciplinary training in the concepts and methods of population-based health sciences and their application in the practice of population and public health and preventative medicine.

Program details

Admission requirements.

• Rady Faculty of Health Sciences • Faculty of Graduate Studies

• Doctor of Philosophy

Expected duration

Program options.

• Full-time and part-time

Study with us

In 1987, the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (SPM) and the Division of Community and Northern Medicine (CNM) merged to form the Department of Community Health Sciences. Merging these two units and combining their interests and activities, created a well-rounded, innovative department with a national reputation for excellence in teaching, research and service.

The Department of Community Health Sciences aims to create, preserve and communicate knowledge with respect to the health of populations and thereby contribute to the physical, psychological, cultural, social and economic well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.

Internationally recognized research programs

Units, programs and Centres within the department focus on particular areas of research and service, including the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and the Centre for Global Public Health.

Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing

The Department of Community Health Sciences maintains a close relationship with Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. Ongomiizwin supports the department in the development of its undergraduate and graduate teaching programs to enhance the incorporation of Indigenous health.

Access both internationally regarded researchers and award winning teachers.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences offer a four-year program of study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences.

Expected duration: 4 years

Tuition and fees:  Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees .)

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section , students must complete:

• A minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework at the 7000-level

Sample course offerings

• CHSC 7200: Current Concepts in Global Health: Populations, Policies and Programs
• CHSC 7212: Critical Perspectives on Gender and Health
• CHSC 7270: Epidemiology of Chronic (Non-Cancer) Diseases
• CHSC 7320: Organization and Financing of the Canadian Health Care System
• CHSC 7510: Problem Solving in Public Health
• CHSC 7520: Principles of Epidemiology
• CHSC 7710: Social Aspects of Aging
• CHSC 7860: Methods and Concepts for Community Health Sciences

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar .

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Community Health Sciences (PhD) program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To be considered for admission, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Thesis-based master’s degree in Community Health Sciences or Public Health with content equivalent to that offered by the department.
• Thesis-based master’s degree in Basic Medical Sciences, Biological Sciences, or Social Sciences.
• Thesis-based professional master’s degree, such as Nursing, Education, or Social Work.
• IELTS : Overall score of at least 7, with no component below 7 (listening, reading, writing, speaking).
• TOEFL (iBT) : Minimum total score of 92, with a writing score no lower than 21.
• If you do not meet these writing score requirements, you can complete the Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) before starting the PhD program.

Note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. All applicants must also meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies .

How to apply

Application Deadlines: This program accepts applications for Fall entry only.

Application Components:

• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Unofficial Copies of Transcripts and Degree Certificates.
• Curriculum Vitae/Resumé.
• Three letters required (must be requested within the application).
• If your Community Health Sciences (MSc) Supervisor has agreed to supervise your PhD program, only two letters are required.
• Supervisor Support Letter.
• Publication or Writing Sample.
• Proof of English language proficiency , if required

Note: For the most up-to-date information on the program, consult the Academic Calendar . Please review the Faculty of Graduate Studies' online application instructions before beginning your application.

Application deadline

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for City Planning reviews applications in March.

Winter applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Design and Planning reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Landscape Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Anthropology reviews applications in March/April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications open September 1 of year prior to start term.

Application deadlines

Applications open   up to 18 months prior  to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for History reviews applications in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications open July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  Committee basis . The Committee for German and Slavic Studies reviews applications in February/March.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis .

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Management reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physical Therapy reviews applications in April / May.

Applications open  August 1 of the year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Orthodontics reviews applications in August/September and holds interviews in September/October.

Program currently undergoing review, applications will not be opening at this time.

Select Preventive Dental Science in the Program drop-down on the application form.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Education reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions issued in March - April.

Currently not accepting applications to this program.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. Applications received by the March 1 deadline for a September start-date will receive first consideration for any available funding. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for any available funding, please contact the department for further information.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Human Rights reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing (MN) reviews applications in April / May.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing PhD reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee reviews applications as per the timelines noted below each table.

Winter applications reviewed in October Summer applications reviewed in February Fall applications reviewed in June

Winter applications reviewed in June Summer applications reviewed in October Fall applications reviewed in February

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. This includes having the support of a faculty supervisor before you apply.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Natural Resources Management reviews applications in March - June.

After the annual application deadline (see below), applications are reviewed on a committee basis by the Faculty of Social Work internal admissions committee. Once this process is complete, decisions are sent to all applicants in March / April. 

Applications open  July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Social Work reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Music reviews Fall term applications in December / January, and Winter term applications in July.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Occupational Therapy reviews applications in May / June.

Master of Occupational Therapy regular program  applications open September 15 of the year prior to deadline .

Master of Occupational Therapy accelerated program  applications open October 1  of the year prior to deadline .

The name of your confirmed supervisor is required at the time of application. To identify a prospective thesis research supervisor on your application, please  contact Immunology Faculty members .

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

Canadian, US and International applicants

The name of your preferred supervisor is required at time of application.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Students selected for in-person interview will be notified in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physician Assistant Studies reviews applications in April.

Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 17, 2024 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pharmacology and Therapeutics reviews applications one month after the application deadline.

Applications for Pathology MSc are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications for Pathologist Assistant are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pathologist Assistant reviews applications in April / May. 

The Pathologist Assistant program only admits Canadian and US students every two years. The next intake is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026.

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Statistics reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Biological Sciences reviews applications one month after deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Indigenous Studies reviews applications in February and June.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. For those who wish to be considered for scholarships, applications must be received by January 15 of the year in which you're seeking admission.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions Committee for Applied Human Nutrition reviews applications in February.

Les demandes d’admission sont évaluées par un comité . Le comité d’admission évalu les demandes durant les mois de Mars et Avril.  

Les demandes peut être surmise jusqu’à concurrence de 18 mois avant le début de premier trimestre.

Toute demande d’admission en ligne doit être déposée, avec documents à l’appui, au plus tard aux dates indiquées.

Soumettre ou continuer votre application

Department of Community Health Sciences

Community Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary department focusing on the creation, preservation and communication of knowledge with respect to the health of populations.

Tuition and fees

Learn about the tuition and fee requirements associated with graduate studies at UM.

Financial aid and awards

There are a variety of awards and funding options to help you pay for school as a student in the Max Rady College of Medicine.

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions of required and elective courses offered in Community Health Sciences (PhD) program.

Explore the Max Rady College of Medicine

For over 125 years, the Max Rady College of Medicine has contributed to education, research and clinical service. Western Canada’s first medical school, the College develops qualified medical graduates who distinguish themselves through excellence in clinical care, health system innovation and leadership, and internationally recognized research.

• Programs of study
• Student experience
• Community and partners

Explore the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Discovery happens here. Join the graduate students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world. They are drawn to the University of Manitoba because it offers the opportunity to do transformational research.

• Funding, awards and financial aid
• Graduate student experience

Keep exploring

Discover more programs

With over 140 graduate programs across multiple faculties, schools and colleges, the University of Manitoba offers more learning, teaching and research opportunities than any other post-secondary institution in the province.

• Master of Science in Community Health Sciences (MSc)
• Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences (MPH)

Join students from around the world in a diverse and supportive community.

What it's like to be a UM undergraduate

Be adventurous, challenge yourself and make a difference.

Opportunities for Indigenous students

Experience a world-class education in the heart of Canada

Why international students study with us

We offer state-of-the-art facilities with 140 years of history.

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 500 UMSU University Centre 65 Chancellors Circle University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Department of Community Health Sciences Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences S111, Medical Services Building, 750 Bannatyne Avenue University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-789-3655

PhD programs

Take a deep dive into the topic you love with a phd, at the university of ottawa, you can:.

• Join a select community of researchers and work in state-of-the-art labs – uOttawa is ranked among the top 10 research universities in Canada.
• Study in the heart of the nation’s capital, a bilingual and multicultural setting where networks of senior stakeholders take action on major issues and influence decisions.
• Receive considerable financial support.

“One of the reasons I chose the University of Ottawa is for its multidisciplinary or multi-university thesis committees available to students in their first year of doctoral studies.”

Valérie Costanzo, LL.B., LL.M., lawyer, PhD candidate

Explore ways to finance your doctoral studies

The University of Ottawa has many scholarships or financial support options available to you. As a doctoral candidate, there is also the option to earn money while gaining valuable experience through teaching and research assistantships.

“Supervising doctoral students is a privilege: it allows for the discovery of new research challenges and for the development of sustainable relationships.”

Emmanuelle Bernheim, LL.D., PhD, Full professor, Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section

Take the next step

Check admission requirements

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Graduate programs in health sciences.

Promoting all aspects of wellness is the mission that our health science researchers take on every day.

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• Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)
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The School of Population and Public Health offers a research-oriented PhD program that enables students with a masters degree to advance their knowledge and skills in epidemiological and biostatistical methods. Students will further their research training by applying these methods to independent thesis research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students can pursue thesis research in a wide variety of topics related to the health of populations and the delivery of health services.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

The School of Population and Public Health and the Human Early Learning Partnership at UBC offer an ideal training environment for me to pursue population health research in collaboration with local communities that has the potential to impact equity in human development, child and youth health.

Lisa Ritland

Quick Facts

Program Enquiries

Admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. Please note that many graduate programs provide funding packages that are substantially greater than $24,000 per year. Please check with your prospective graduate program for specific details of the funding provided to its PhD students.

Average Funding

• 24 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 24 students was $6,707.
• 38 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 38 students was $18,770.
• 17 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 17 students was $5,352.
• 57 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 57 students was $10,782.
• 22 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 22 students was $28,705.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

60 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 3 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 56 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, alumni on success.

Lianping Ti

Job Title Research Scientist

Employer BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion Rates & Times

Upcoming doctoral exams, wednesday, 25 september 2024 - 9:00am - room 200.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Amri, Michelle (Global Health Ethics; normative nature of health equity)
• Anis, Aslam (cost effectiveness of AIDS treatments; drug assessments – pharmacoeconomics; health care economics; health regulations, Health economics, rhematoid arthritis, biologic therapies)
• Bansback, Nick (inform policies and practices in health through the application of)
• Bhatti, Parveen
• Black, Charlyn (Public and population health)
• Brauer, Michael (Environmental and occupational health and safety; Health sciences; Public and population health; air pollution; built environment; Community Health / Public Health; environmental health; environmental epidemiology; healthy cities; remote sensing)
• Brussoni, Mariana (Developmental psychology; Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; Population health interventions; injury prevention; Children's outdoor play; Risky play; Parenting; health behaviour change; Implementation Science)
• Bryan, Stirling (Economics of health care, policy, from UK)
• Cox, Susan (Other medical sciences; Sociology and related studies; Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music), architecture and design)
• Davies, Hugh William (Environmental and occupational health and safety; Health sciences; Public and population health; Antineoplastic drug hazards; Community Health / Public Health; environmental health; Exposure Assessment; Noise and Health; Occupational Health; Occupational Safety and Health)
• Deering, Kathleen (Medical, health and life sciences)
• Dummer, Trevor (health geography, cancer prevention, environmental exposures, health inequalities, geographic information science, obesity, risk factors, Environmental epidemiology and environment and health interactions, with specific emphasis on cancer etiology and cancer prevention)
• Elango, Rajavel (Protein Nutrition, Maternal-Fetal Nutrition, Childhood Malnutrition, Amino Acid Metabolism, Human Nutrition )
• Frank, Erica (Health sciences; Public and population health; Other education; Free accredited education; Preventive Medicine; Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Architecture; Holocaust studies; Exile Reintegration)
• Gadermann, Anne (Social determinants of health; Housing and homelessness; Quality of)
• Gilbert, Mark (Public and population health; Development, implementation, evaluation and scale-up of innovative sexual health programs; Gay men’s sexual health, including sexual health literacy; Synergistic and integrated dynamics of infectious diseases, mental illness and other conditions)
• Greyson, Devon (Health-related information practices of youth, parents, and families; Intersection between information practices and health behavior,; Cannabis use decision making in pregnancy and lactation; Vaccine confidence and decision making about vaccination; Disinformation in social media support communities; Online communication among young parents)
• Guhn, Martin (Developmental psychology; Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; social context and child development/well-being; Population health; social determinants of health)
• Henderson, Sarah (Environmental and occupational health and safety; wildfire smoke; air pollution; Extreme weather events; environmental health; radon gas; Food safety; Water quality)
• Janssen, Patricia (Health sciences; Public and population health; Gestation / Parturition; health of marginalized women; Lifestyle Determinants and Health; maternal child health; mobile health for pregnancy and parenting; Perinatal Period; social determinants of health)
• Joseph, K.S. (Pregnancy complications, preterm birth, fetal growth, infant mortality, neonatal)
• Kalua, Khumbo (Population health interventions; Infectious diseases; Global health; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); Neglected Tropical Eye Diseases; Global Eye Health; Cluster Randomized Trials; Implementation Science; International Global Health; Community Based Research; Clinical trials)
• Karim, Ehsan (Biostatistical methods; Survey methodology and analysis; Statistical learning; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); Public and population health, n.e.c.; Causal inference; Biostatistics; Statistics; Machine Learning; data science; Survey data analysis; multiple sclerosis)
• Kassam, Rosemin (Medical, health and life sciences; Child Health, Malnutrition, Adult Chronic Disease, Geriatrics)
• Kazanjian, Arminee (Cancer Survivorship, Knowledge Exchange and, Translation, Psychosocial oncology, Palliative care in cross-cultural context, Vulnerable populations, including women)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Developmental profiles of children assessed for autism spectrum disorder at kindergarten and grade 4
• Promoting equitable access to digital sexually transmitted and blood borne infection testing interventions in British Columbia, Canada
• Evaluating access to medicines interventions in public and private not for profit health facilities in Uganda
• Investigating access to hepatitis C testing and treatment in Rwanda and beyond
• Improving referrals to rheumatologists for patients with inflammatory arthritis
• The social and economic impacts of cervical cancer on women and children in Uganda
• Exploring long-term patient satisfaction with total knee arthroplasty : a mixed methods study
• The Cedar Project : an exploration of Indigenous survivance, connection, and vaccine uptake amid concurrent public health emergencies experienced by urban Indigenous People who use drugs in British Columbia
• Examining childhood poverty and future developmental and academic outcomes of children in British Columbia : differences by poverty type and immigration background
• Assessing access to medicines in Canada and beyond before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Air pollution, green space and dementia risk in Canada
• Involvement of nasopharyngeal angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 infection and transmission
• Coronary revascularization and timing of treatment : comparative effectiveness of PCI and CABG in British Columbia
• Muddy molecules for pandemic protection : investigating the use of wetland sediment as a tool for the surveillance of avian influenza virus in wild waterfowl birds
• Methamphetamine use among people who use opioids : longitudinal patterns and the role of opioid agonist therapy

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Global Health (MGH)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nursing (MPH/MSN)
• Master of Science in Population and Public Health (MSc)

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Health Administration (MHA)
• Master of Health Science (MHSc)
• Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSc)

Further Information

Specialization.

The School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) offers both research-oriented and professional/course-based graduate programs.

Professional programs

• The Master of Public Health focuses on illness prevention and health promotion and integrates learning in epidemiology; biostatistics; the social, biological and environmental determinants of health; population health; global health; disease prevention and health systems management with skill-based learning in a practicum setting.
• The Master of Health Administration is a professional program for clinicians, administrators, researchers and managers who are seeking solutions to today’s complex health delivery issues. Take courses with a multi-disciplinary perspective in health systems, policies and management along with foundational business skills
• The Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSc OEH) program provides the skills and knowledge to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control chemical, physical and biological hazards in workplace and community environments.

Research-based Programs

• Master of Health Science (MHSc) applicants must have an MD or equivalent, including dentistry or veterinary medicine, and will learn skills that can be applied to their academic and clinical interests, bolstering their research abilities and opportunities.
• The Master of Science in Population and Public Health program teaches core knowledge and skills in epidemiological and biostatistical methods and allows students to gain research experience by applying methods to a thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. Students can pursue thesis research in a wide variety of topics related to the health of populations and the delivery of health services.
• The PhD program at SPPH is intended for students who wish to obtain advanced research training that will enable them to conduct independent investigative research.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Jorden Hendry

My experience with the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health solidified my decision to choose UBC for my graduate studies, as it offers a unique environment that values Indigenous perspectives and fosters meaningful research and leadership opportunities.

Hebah Hussaina

I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at UBC, and throughout those experiences, I became embedded within the community here. It was an easy choice to continue studying at UBC because of the love that I have for my community. Through my research, I want to give back to this community...

Zeina Waheed

UBC’s School of Population and Public Health provides excellent training in health economics, healthcare systems analysis, data analysis, statistics, epidemiology, and qualitative methods. Studying at UBC also provides me with the opportunity to work with my supervisor, Dr. Stirling Bryan, who is...

Katherine Hastings

Vancouver is home to one of the leading IYS networks internationally. When I sought out to learn more about IYS and their potential (something that did not exist in the States at the time), it felt like a perfect fit for my interests in youth mental health and health services research. The more...

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Medical Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

For over 40 years the graduate program in Medical Science has prepared students for independent scientific careers in academic and non-academic settings. Graduates of the doctoral program have a strong record of excellence in obtaining post-doctoral positions often leading to faculty appointments or jobs in industry at leading institutes across Canada and around the world.

One of the University of Calgary's largest graduate programs, Medical Science offers specializations ranging from cancer biology and critical care to molecular and medical genetics (but training is not limited to these specialties). Our program is supported by collaborations with related programs throughout the Cumming School of Medicine and the University of Calgary.

Completing this program

Courses:  Topics will be determined according to the student's research area.

Research Ethics:  Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.

Seminars: Students will participate in a research in progress semina and journal club relevant to their program.

Research Proposal:  Students must defend a written research proposal to their supervisory committee.

Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.

Thesis:  Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Specializations

• Cancer Biology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Joint Injury & Arthritis Research
• Biomedical Ethics
• Molecular & Medical Genetics
• Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Physiology

Academic researchers, education, medicine, government agencies, health organizations, and the private sector/industry; biotechnology start-up companies, clinical trials, research-oriented positions in pharmaceutical/biotech companies and Fortune 500 businesses.

A PhD in medical science is usually considered a final degree; many graduates pursue post-doctoral research.

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Three courses

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Four years full time; six years maximum

A supervisor is required; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary’s (UCalgary) Foothills Campus from anywhere. Experience all that the Cumming School of Medicine has to offer for interested prospective graduate students. Explore this state of the art campus from wherever you are. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.

Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.

Jean Addington

Herman Barkema

Cheryl Barnabe

Kathryn Birnie

Janice Braun

Linda Carlson

Kris Chadee

Carla Coffin

Alastair Cribb

Admission Requirements

A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

An MSc or other relevant Master's degree.

Work samples

Reference letters, test scores, english language proficiency.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt)  score of 105.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 7.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 75, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  score of 70 (minimum 70 in each section)  
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  score of A- in each course.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 200.
• Duolingo English Test  and obtaining a minimum score of 145* (with no sub-score below 125*). ( temporary until Fall 2024 intake )

For admission on May 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
• International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

For admission on Sept. 1

• Canadians and permanent residents: June 1 application deadline
• International students: Apr. 1 application deadline

For admission on Jan. 1

• Canadians and permanent residents: Oct. 1 application deadline
• International students: Aug. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, medical science - graduate studies.

Health Sciences Centre, HSC G341C 3330 Hospital Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Health Sciences Centre Foothills Campus, University of Calgary Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

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Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Thesis-based MSc

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biomedical technology.

Course-based MBT

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences

Community health sciences, gastrointestinal sciences, microbiology and infectious diseases, neuroscience, pathologists' assistant.

Course-based MDPA

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PhD: HSR Program Details

IHPME’s HSR PhD is designed for researchers interested in extensive training in health services research theory and methodologies. Graduates will feel prepared to take on senior leadership roles in academia, research, policy, and planning in both the public and private sectors.

Entry Term: Fall

Accepting Applications: September 23, 2024

HSR Application Deadline: November 15, 2024

Study Options: Full time, flex-time

Time Commitment: 4-6 years

Supervisor: Although it does not guarantee admission, communicating with potential supervisors is helpful in structuring the letter of intent required for your application . Review Faculty Profiles and Research and Initiatives to find potential supervisors that align with your research interests.

Fees and Funding: Accepted full-time PhD students are eligible to receive a funding package .

Studying with an Emphasis

HSR PhD researchers should select an emphasis that aligns with their professional background and interests. Students must select an emphasis in:

Health Economics

Faculty lead: Boriana Miloucheva & Alex Hoagland

Students will gain an in-depth understanding of fundamental economic principles as they relate to the healthcare sector. This emphasis builds capacity in mathematical and statistical techniques while providing students with practical knowledge on how to effectively communicate research motivations, study designs, findings, and implications to various audiences including academics and decision-makers. Students will feel equipped to critically analyze health policy issues and have a deeper understanding of resource allocation, health services supply, and how healthcare markets work.

Areas of study include: 

• Health economic theory
• Health economic evaluation
• Health econometrics and machine learning

Health Informatics Research

Faculty lead: Nelson Shen & Nur Camellia Zakaria

Students will design, evaluate, and use health informatics capabilities to better manage information and improve healthcare delivery. This highly interdisciplinary emphasis tackles major issues around the design, development, and evaluation of electronic solutions in consumer, community, and acute care settings. Students will be prepared with the necessary research tools, including the use of conceptual frameworks and research methods, to investigate specific areas of interest. 

• Development and evaluation of digital health innovations
• Implementation of digital health innovations
• Health informatics theory

Health Policy

Faculty lead: Fiona Miller

Students will investigate the political, social, and economic conditions that produce and distribute health and illness across populations and jurisdictions, and examine the systems devoted to sustaining public health and to financing, governing, and delivering healthcare and related social services.

• Comparative health policy and systems
• Public health policy
• Healthcare policy
• Health technology policy

Health Services Organization and Management Studies

Faculty lead: Lianne Jeffs

Students will explore organizational behaviour, organizational theory, strategic management, implementation science, sociology, and industrial-organizational psychology to understand the organization of health services and the impact of management and organizational practices on performance. This highly interdisciplinary field will explore diverse topic areas including how healthcare organizations are managed, leadership, healthcare practitioners, patient safety and quality of care, team functioning, organizational change, inter-organizational relationships and networks, governance, and evidence-based management.

• Health practitioner outcomes (e.g. burnout, turnover)
• Motivation and leadership in HSR organizations
• Strategic decision making
• Change implementation

Health Services Outcomes and Evaluation

Faculty lead: Kelly Smith & Patricia Trbovich

The Health Services Outcomes and Evaluation emphasis draws upon several academic disciplines including epidemiology, program evaluation, and economics to systematically examine the impacts of health services on the health status of various populations. Students should have demonstrated knowledge of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, primary data collection and secondary data sources, and the strengths, weaknesses and appropriate application of different research designs and data analysis strategies.

• Program evaluation
• Comparative effectiveness, safety, economic and other outcomes of health systems, services & programs 
• Methods for health services research 

Health Technology Assessment

Faculty lead: David Naimark

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is an interdisciplinary field that advances and applies theories, concepts and methods in order to inform decision-makers on the introduction, use, and dissemination of health technology. The HTA emphasis encompasses quantitative and qualitative methods to equip students with skills within the main pillars of HTA to be able to critically analyze health policy issues related to health technology. 

• Evidence synthesis
• Economic evaluation
• Social, legal and ethical consequences of emerging technologies

Knowledge Translation

The Knowledge Translation (KT) area of study explores the broad domain of KT and implementation science in healthcare. Students will learn about theories and frameworks that help to inform KT, research approaches, methods and methodological challenges, and current and future KT and implementation science research relevant to the healthcare sector. Students interested in this area of study can add it to any of the HSR emphases (for both MSc and PhD), or the course-based MSc, by taking two of the KT courses.

See the KT courses within the HSR Course Descriptions .

Program Outcomes 

The PhD in HSR provides in-depth and comprehensive training that equips professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills necessary for senior roles in academic or within public and private sectors. HSR has cultivated collaborative research opportunities with prominent industry, government agencies, and non-government agencies. This extensive network provides students with unique research opportunities to publish in leading academic journals.

Finance Your Degree

At IHPME, we offer a variety of financial supports to help you succeed in our graduate programs.

Learn More About this Program

Hsr program co-director.

Emily Seto Email Address: emily.seto@​utoronto.ca

Katie N. Dainty Email Address: katie.dainty@​utoronto.ca

Co-leads the management of the HSR Program.

Graduate Administrator

Zoe Downie-Ross Phone Number: (416) 946-3486 Email Address: ihpme.grad.admin@​utoronto.ca

Coordinates student records, graduate funding, and student-related awards.

Graduate Admissions

Christina Lopez Email Address: ihpme.admissions@​utoronto.ca

Manages admissions and responds to all related inquiries.

Graduate Assistant

Nadia Ismail Phone Number: (416) 946-4100 Email Address: ihpme.grad.assist@​utoronto.ca

Coordinates various graduate initiatives including defences, student events, and graduation.

HSR Program Assistant

Anita Morehouse Phone Number: 416-946-3922 Email Address: ihpme.hsr.courses@​utoronto.ca

Manages the HSR courses including enrolment, grades, and access to Quercus.

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PhD in Health Sciences

The PhD in Health Sciences is governed by the “QU Health Graduate Studies Office” chaired by the Office of Graduate Studies at QU Health.

The PhD program in Health Sciences has two specialization:

• Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research
• Clinical and Population Health Research

The PhD is to be awarded by QU Health, as a college, which was approved by Qatar University board of regents in April 2021. The program provides students with foundations in biomedical, pharmaceutical, clinical and population health. The PhD program aims to develop scientists who will contribute to the biomedical, pharmaceutical, clinical and population health disciplines through creative research and scholarship. The ultimate goal is to develop future generations of innovative health scientists who will solve pressing health problems and contribute to the Qatar health vision and well-being of the population. The program has an intense research focus and the duration of the curriculum is four years with a total of 60 credit hours. The program admits students on a full-time basis.

Dual PhD degree with RCSI

QU health has signed an agreement with RCSI for a dual PhD degree. Under this scheme, students will spend their first two years of study at Qatar University (and will take the required PhD courses) while the students will continue their third and fourth years of study at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI). The first enrollment of students under this scheme will be for Fall 2023. Competitive graduate scholarships by QU-RCSI are available. To join, please apply to the PhD in health Sciences through  Online admission application  and for scholarship through  Graduate Assistantships (GA)

Click here for the Study Plan

The curriculum incorporates formal lectures, group projects, research presentations, journal clubs and writing review articles, to develop the students’ ability for critical thinking, intensive scientific writing, and problem-solving skills through research. All components of the PhD program are conducted in English. The length of the educational and training components has been benchmarked against well-established international institutions. The educational and research outcomes gained by the students throughout this program will be of a high international standard given the high-quality mentoring opportunities and state-of-the-art research facilities offered by QU Health. The educational content is tailored to address the local needs and the current healthcare environment in Qatar. The program has established links with several educational and medical institutions in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia to facilitate collaboration in the areas of teaching and research. Moreover, the PhD program is closely collaborating with prestigious national research, medical and educational institutions within the State of Qatar, such as Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Sidra Medicine, Weill-Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), interim Translational Research Institute (iTRI), the Neuroscience Institute, the Metabolic Institute, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and the National Center for Cancer Care & Research (NCCCR). The PhD program has established several dual/ joint degree agreements with leading international Universities, including at this stage, University of Alberta (Canada), McGill University (Canada) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

The current program has attracted significant recognition as the main research-based PhD in health sciences in Qatar. Many national, local residents and international students from diverse educational backgrounds have joined the program, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, biologists and allied health professionals.

Work and Health (PhD)

We are not accepting applications to the Work and Health PhD program at this time.

Investigating workplace health

Every 15 seconds, a worker dies from a work-related accident or disease.* The Faculty of Health offers the first interdisciplinary PhD program in Canada with a focus on Work and Health.

Concerns about workplace health are occurring in the context of rapid change in both the composition of the workforce and the nature of work. All of these developments point toward the need for academics and professionals who are better equipped to face the challenges of work related health in the 21st Century.

*International Labour Organization

Program overview and highlights

• The Work and Health PhD spans the three units within the Faculty of Health, utilizing an interdisciplinary platform upon which to develop a broad understanding of issues as they relate to safe, healthy work environments and achieving a work-life balance.
• Provides opportunities for cross departmental collaborations, access to courses and resources including dissertation committee members who can add different perspectives to tackle emerging research problems.
• Program is offered through the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences , Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies and the School of Public Health Sciences

Areas of study | Researchers

Epidemiology of workplace injuries, illness, and disease

Philip Bigelow

Mark Oremus

 Illness prevention

Philip Bigelow

Jack Callaghan

Ellen MacEachen

Monica Maly

Risk management and disease prevention in occupational health

• Mental Health

Earth(quakes), Winds, and Fires Can Shake Your Mental Health

Editor’s Note: As the world experiences record-breaking temperatures and worsening climate challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Discover how to align your personal interests with effective steps and learn how to get involved at Climate Week NYC September 22-29.

Aug. 21, 2024 – Maui seemed like the perfect vacation spot for Jennifer Chan Heth, her husband, Josh, and their two beach-loving children. Soon after arriving from Alameda, CA, in early August last year, they settled into their rented condo in Ka’anapali, looking forward to days of fun and sunshine.

Climate events would dash those plans. 

Hurricane Dora was passing through, but no one seemed to think it was a big deal, Jennifer said. Then the winds kicked up even more, the electricity went out, and cell service went down. At the condo, people were lining up to get glow sticks. They heard there was a fire in Lahaina, about 5 miles south, but that officials were keeping an eye on it.

The Heths tried to cook the food they’d picked up at a nearby store, but the lines for the outdoor grills were unbearably long.   Yet they weren’t in panic mode. “We couldn’t smell anything, and there was no ash falling down,” Jennifer said.

They went to bed in the dark, then at 3:30 a.m. were jolted awake when the condo's emergency alarm went off and an announcement came, repeated over and over, to evacuate right away. The fire – which ultimately killed 101 people and destroyed more than 2,200 structures – was raging. The Heths had already packed up their car, so they started driving. It was pitch black, with no cell service and no details about what was going on, Heth recalled. Olivia, then 6, and Jack, then 4, “were freaking out,” she said. “Not having any information was the craziest part.” They just kept driving, finally finding a place to stay in Wailea by 6 a.m. It’s only about an hour’s drive south of Lahaina but wasn’t impacted by the fires. 

Once safe, they tried to recoup the remaining time to relax. Yet the scary memories linger. Before this year’s vacation to the Caribbean, the kids said they didn’t want to go to Hawaii and didn’t want to be around another fire. 

“Just telling you the story right now makes me tear up,” Jennifer said.

Climate Change Drives Climate Events

The Heths’ saga reflects a grim truth: Climate change is directly adding to emergencies caused by extreme heat, wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes, as the World Health Organization warns. 

The events are taking a toll not only on our physical health, but our mental health – and that’s a growing focus of research and concern. 

The sobering truth is, researchers have a wealth of events to study. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, there have been 19 confirmed weather or climate disaster events in the U.S. this year with losses surpassing $1 billion each.

What’s “normal” after experiencing something as scary as the Heths did?   The range of mental health reactions during and after a climate event varies, but in general, people may experience distress, anxiety, depression, low mood, and a feeling of being hyper-aware of real or perceived threats said Alison R. Hwong, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, CA. Her long-standing interest in the topic increased after she moved to California in 2016 and had to wear an N95 mask while riding her bike to work at the University of California-San Francisco during the 2017 Santa Rosa wildfires, which killed 24 people and displaced about 100,000.

Researchers have found that women and older adults are more vulnerable to mental health problems after at least some climate events. Those with existing mental health issues may be another vulnerable group. But no one is immune.

Research: Mental Health Effects

Here’s what some of the research about climate events and mental health has found so far:

• Mental health effects after climate events are widespread . In a recent study, Hwong polled 24,000 people in the California Health Interview Survey, which added questions in 2021about exposure to extreme weather events and mental health responses. More than half, 53%, said their mental health was affected by climate events. Those affected were more likely to be younger, White, women, college-educated, or live in a rural area. She can’t explain the findings entirely but said she thought those who are younger and college-educated may be more aware of climate change and also more fluent in talking about their mental health.
• The need for mental health help is real . Exposure to wildfires, for instance, leads to an increase in anxiety-related emergency room visits, according to Yang Liu, PhD, chair and professor of environmental health at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta. His team analyzed data from nearly 1.9 million emergency room visits across five states (California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah) from 2007 through 2018 and found wildfire smoke events, when wildfires contribute to pollution, were linked with a 6.3% increase in mental health-related ER visits. He found women, girls, and older adults most vulnerable. One surprise: Seeing smoke triggered more anxiety than seeing fire. “An actively burning fire in your ZIP code won’t necessarily increase your anxiety level,” Liu said. “But a smoke plume in your ZIP code will increase your anxiety.” 
• Extreme heat waves affect mental health.  That’s the topic of Liu’s next study. As other experts have found, the number of hot nights has exceeded the number of hot days over the past few years, perhaps affecting sleep quality, which is an important driver of mental health.
• Exposure to events, such as hurricanes, can lead to mental health issues even among people previously mentally healthy.  It can also worsen the mental health of people with preexisting mental illness, two other studies have found. Experiencing a hurricane can trigger major depression, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), researchers found.
• It’s not just a single climate event that can affect our mental health.  When it comes to the effect of heat on mental health issues, “it’s not just at the extremes we should be worried about,” said Nick Obradovich, PhD, chief science officer at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa, OK, but the ongoing patterns over time. In his research, he looked at weather data and reported mental health difficulties drawn from nearly 2 million U.S. residents between 2002 and 2012. He found as monthly temperatures increase over time, so does the chance of mental health issues. A Stanford study linked increases in monthly average temperatures with a rise in suicide rates, predicting continued climate change could result in a 1.4% increase in suicides in the U.S. and a 2.3% increase in Mexico by 2050. 

Climate Events Over Time Can Trigger ‘Solastalgia’

Jeffrey Katzman, MD, director of education at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT, lectures on the topic of climate events and mental health at medical meetings.

While there are mental health effects from individual events, he said, there are also impacts from chronic and ongoing events, such as the drying up of rivers. This can all lead to what he and other experts call solastalgia –   distress caused by environmental change.

“It describes the way we are connected to and moved by the Earth, and a yearning for those experiences,” Katzman said. Imagine, he said, living by a river with a beautiful view, and losing it when that river dries up.

“We know going to nature is one of the most important things we can do for mental well-being,” he said. And climate change events are making that harder to do.

More Views From the Trenches

Sue Hecht, a social worker in New York and Florida, lived in Island Park, NY, when Hurricane Sandy wreaked its destruction in October 2012. The water rose quickly, resulting in 7 feet of water in the basement of her rental home. She sheltered in place, concerned that her car wouldn’t make it out. 

Help was scarce; she went 28 days without heat, hot water, or electricity. “It was hell, the whole thing was hell,” she said recently. Depression and anxiety set in. “Honestly, I cried every single day.”

Being around it all the time and trying to go through her things was tough, she said, “a mixture of grief, depression and anxiety.”

Tim Conrad works as an information officer for local governments in British Columbia, Canada, getting information out to the public when disasters such as wildfires and floods occur. “In the response work, I’ve noticed a notable negative shift in the well-being of residents and responders in recent years,” said Conrad, who has responded to ice jams, hurricanes, floods, landslides, and many wildfires.

During a wildfire in the Shuswap area last year, he said, “A fellow walked up to me and said, ‘I want to kill you.’ He had been evacuated and was just let back in.” The man apologized a few days later, but that experience is becoming more common, he said. Conrad remembers a woman he was trying to help got really angry and told him she hated him. She had just lost her home. 

Social Cohesion to the Rescue

In her study, Hwong, the Stanford researcher, also looked into the healing effects of what she calls social cohesion. They asked questions such as, “Do you trust your neighbors?” “Do people in the neighborhood help out each other?” and “Do you feel safe in the neighborhood?”

“People who did feel safer, more connected, more neighborly reported fewer negative health effects of climate change,” she said. “Community support may buffer some of these negative mental health effects.”

Hecht suggests something that helped her: Connecting right away to a community page so you can get information about services, support groups, and other sources of help.  

Calling in the Pros

“Just because you’ve been through an event doesn’t mean you have a psychiatric diagnosis,” Hwong said. “Many of us have anxiety about climate change and the warming planet,” but it doesn’t mean seeing a psychiatrist is necessary. 

But if mental health issues persist after an event, professional help might be wise, Hwong said. “If it affects your daily life for 2 weeks or more, I would seek help,” such as seeing a counselor or asking about medications.

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Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Learn and practice in our state-of-the-art clinic and lab facilities.

Why choose this program?

In Dalhousie’s four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program, you’ll learn techniques in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a full range of dental diseases, including how to screen for oral cancers and perform oral surgery.

Your courses will cover a range of topics, including the biological, medical, and dental sciences. A strong emphasis is placed on clinical patient treatment activities, even in your first year. In your upper years you’ll cover topics such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, comprehensive patient care and more. As early as your second year you’ll treat dental patients in the Faculty of Dentistry's student dental clinic as well as in local hospitals and outreach clinics.

Doctor of Dental Surgery (three-year Qualifying Program)

The Qualifying Program is designed for Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who have graduated from a non-accredited dentistry program in another country. You'll build on your existing knowledge and gain training in North American dentistry practices.

Once you finish the program, you’ll graduate with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree with the skills you need to pursue a career in dentistry.

After successfully completing your degree, you’ll graduate with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree with the skills you need to pursue a career in dentistry – whether you want to work as an associate, buy your own dental practice, or go on to graduate studies in dentistry.  

Possible careers include:

• general practice
• implant dentistry
• cosmetic dentistry
• orthodontics
• periodontal surgery
• paediatric dentistry
• oral and maxillofacial surgery
• health education and advocacy

Admission requirements

Financial information.

At Dalhousie, we want our students to focus on their studies, rather than worry about their personal finances. We offer competitive tuition rates and funding programs to support graduate students in almost all of our degree programs.

Program options

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), four-year degree 
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), three-year qualifying Qualifying Program for graduates of non-accredited international dental schools 

Standard program duration:

Enrolment options:, delivery format:.

All graduate programs at Dalhousie are collaboratively delivered by a home Faculty and the  Faculty of Graduate Studies .

Contact an admissions advisor

Questions about admissions or the application process get in touch with the program..

Email:  [email protected]

Call: 902-494-1400

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While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this page, in the event of a discrepancy,  Dalhousie's Academic Calendars  are the official reference.