Office of the Registrar and Student Awards

205

Graduate Programs

205.65 Public Health Sciences

Department of Public Health Sciences

School of Public Health

3-12 University Terrace

8303 – 112 Street

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2T4

E-mail: sph.programs@ualberta.ca

www.publichealth.ualberta.ca

205.65.1 General Information

    The Department of Public Health Sciences currently offers a course-based degree of Master of Public Health with several specializations and a thesis-based degree of Master of Science in Public Health Sciences with several specializations. A PhD in Public Health Sciences is also offered.

Entrance Requirements

    The Department's minimum admission requirements are those set out as minimum acceptable standards by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. These include a baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent in a relevant field from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale over the last *60; at least one year of relevant experience; and, if required (see §203.2.4), a minimum overall score on an approved English language examination as described below: PTE Academic score of 59; a minimum acceptable TOEFL score of 570 (paper-based) or a total score of 92 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based); or a minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least 6 on each test band on the IELTS. Applicants should arrange for their English language test results to be sent directly to the Department.

The Department also requires the following:

(1)

A current curriculum vitae.

(2)

Three letters of reference.

(3)

At least one year of relevant experience or significant volunteer experience is preferred.

(4)

a.

Course-based applicants – A letter of not more than 800 words that outlines a synthesis of the applicant's background (scholastic/academic training and work/research experience), motivation for applying to this degree and career goals.

b.

Thesis-based applicants – A letter of not more than 800 words that outlines the anticipated research topic(s) or areas of thesis research. The applicant should also identify appropriate faculty members from the Department of Public Health Sciences as a potential supervisor.

(5)

Educational Test Scores - the GRE or GMAT is recommended for applicants with qualifications from outside Canada. The omission of a GRE or GMAT test score will materially weaken the applicant’s chance of being recommended for admission.

(6)

A prerequisite for admission is a recent course in introductory statistics such as STAT 141 or 151. Admission may be granted provisionally pending successful completion of one of these courses, or equivalent. Applicants with prior statistics training may have this prerequisite waived by demonstrating satisfactory knowledge.

Financial Assistance

    All students admitted to the Department of Public Health Sciences must establish their own funding prior to their admission.

    Graduate students can finance their studies at the University of Alberta in several ways. Some financial programs are administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, and others are administered by other campus offices or outside organizations.

    Students in public health sciences are eligible to compete for the general graduate awards listed at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca.

    Students are urged to seek awards from other agencies, such as SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, AHFMR, etc.

    Support may be available to some students from research grants held by individual staff members. The amount of support will vary with the nature of the research grant and the regulations of the granting agency.

205.65.2 The Degree of MPH in Applied Biostatistics (course-based)

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*36):

a.

SPH 500, 501, 514, PHS 596, 598, 692 or 693, 696, 698, 798

b.

PHS 509 (*6) Field Practicum and PHS 701 Project in Public Health Sciences

(2)

Elective courses: three (*9) graduate-level courses from the following list or courses approved by the student's Advisor: MED 600, PHS 685, SOC 609, 616, STAT 532, 561, 568.

Length of Program

    The minimum time to complete the program is 16 months. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.3 The Degree of MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health (course-based)

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*36):

a.

SPH 500, 501, 514, 531, 597, PHS 506, 511, 512, 522

b.

PHS 509 (*6) Field Practicum and PHS 701 Project in Public Health Sciences

(2)

Elective courses: three (*9) graduate-level courses from the following list or courses approved by the student's Advisor: PHS 507, 513, 520, 521, 540, 543, 593, 640, 693, 695, 697.

Length of Program

    The minimum time to complete the program is 16 months. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.4 The Degree of MPH in Epidemiology (course-based)

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*36):

a.

SPH 500, 501, 514, PHS 596, 598, 693, 696, 697, 698

b.

PHS 509 (*6) Field Practicum and PHS 701 Project in Public Health Sciences

(2)

Elective courses: three (*9) graduate-level courses from the following list or approved by the student's Advisor: PHS 506, 540, 581, 593, 685, 798.

Length of Program

    The minimum time to complete the program is 16 months. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.5 The Degree of MPH in Global Health (course-based)

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*33):

a.

SPH 500, 501, 514, 531, 597, PHS 631, 640, 641

b.

PHS 509 (*6) Field Practicum and PHS 701 Project in Public Health Sciences

(2)

Elective courses: four (*12) graduate-level courses from the following list or courses approved by the student's Advisor: PHS 506, 540, 542, 545, 550, 581, 692, 697.

Length of Program

    The minimum time to complete the program is 16 months. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.6 The Degree of MPH in Health Policy and Management (course-based)

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*39):

a.

SPH 500, 501, 514, 531, 597, PHS 550, 570, 580, 581, 606

b.

PHS 509 (*6) Field Practicum and PHS 701 Project in Public Health Sciences

(2)

Elective courses: four (*12) graduate-level courses approved by the student's Advisor.

Length of Program

    The minimum time to complete the program is 20 months. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.7 The Degree of MPH in Public Health Leadership (course-based)

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*39):

a.

SPH 500, 501, 514, 531, 597, PHS 506, 512, 580, 581, 583

b.

PHS 509 (*6) Field Practicum and PHS 701 Project in Public Health Sciences

(2)

Elective courses: two (*6) graduate-level courses from the following list or courses approved by the student's Advisor: PHS 507, 520, 540, 550, 582, 680, 697.

Length of Program

    The minimum time to complete the program is 16 months. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.8 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Clinical Epidemiology

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*21):

a.

PHS 505, 596, 598, 696, 698

b.

Two of: MED 600, and PHS 685, 692, 693, 697

(2)

Elective courses: one (*3) graduate-level course approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area, defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.9 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Environmental Health Sciences

Program Requirements

    Students admitted to this program will be expected to have an advanced-level course in environmental chemistry. Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*15): PHS 505, 511, 512, 522 or equivalent, 596

(2)

Elective courses: one (*3) graduate-level course approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area, defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.10 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Epidemiology

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*18):

a.

PHS 505, 596, 598, 696, 698

b.

One of: PHS 693, 697

(2)

Elective courses: two (*6) graduate-level courses approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.11 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Global Health

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*21): SPH 501, PHS 505, 596, 598, 640, 641, 697

(2)

Elective courses: one (*3) graduate-level course approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area, defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.12 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Health Policy Research

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*12): SPH 500, 531 or PHS 598, PHS 505, 596.

(2)

Elective courses: four (*12) graduate-level courses approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area, defined in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.13 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Health Technology Assessment

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*18): SPH 531, PHS 505, 596, 671, 673, 692

(2)

Elective courses: two of: PHS 570, 685, 693 or a graduate-level course approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area, defined in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration .

205.65.14 The Degree of MSc in Public Health Sciences in Occupational Health

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*21): SPH 500, PHS 505, 520, 521, 522, 596, 598

(2)

Elective courses: Students are required to complete two (*6) graduate-level courses approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the area, defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

    The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.15 The Degree of PhD in Public Health Sciences in the research area of Epidemiology

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*15): PHS 602, 603, 604, 798, 799 (Epidemiology III)

(2)

Elective courses: three (*9) advanced-level courses at the 600- or 700-level, approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Candidacy Examination: the Candidacy Examination is typically planned for sometime after the first year of the program, once all course work is completed and should occur by the end of the second year of the PhD program. The Candidacy Examination will be administered in two parts, a Written Examination, which is primarily intended to comprehensively examine the student on her or his area of research interest, and an Oral Examination, which is primarily intended to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research.

(4)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the program area defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis must represent an advance in knowledge of the candidate’s field of study and should be appropriate to form the basis for at least one refereed journal publication describing the methodology and results of the research.

    The minimum period of residence is four four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

    Students are required to present the results of their thesis at a student seminar prior to the defense.

Length of Program

    The doctoral program has an expected four-year minimum duration for full-time students from the bachelor's level. The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.16 The Degree of PhD in Public Health Sciences in the research area of Health Promotion and Socio-behavioural Sciences

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*15): PHS 602, 603, 604, HPS 602, 608

(2)

Elective courses: three (*9) advanced-level courses at the 600- or 700-level, approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Candidacy Examination: the Candidacy Examination is typically planned for sometime after the first year of the program, once all course work is completed and should occur by the end of the second year of the PhD program. The Candidacy Examination will be administered in two parts, a Written Examination, which is primarily intended to comprehensively examine the student on her or his area of research interest, and an Oral Examination, which is primarily intended to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research.

(4)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the program area defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis must represent an advance in knowledge of the candidate's field of study and should be appropriate to form the basis for at least one refereed journal publication describing the methodology and results of the research.

    The minimum period of residence is four four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

    The doctoral program has an expected four-year minimum duration for full-time students from the bachelor's level. The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.17 The Degree of PhD in Public Health Sciences in the research area of Health Services and Policy Research

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*12): PHS 600, 602, 603, 604

(2)

Elective courses: four (*12) advanced-level courses at the 600- or 700-level, approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Candidacy Examination: the Candidacy Examination is typically planned for sometime after the first year of the program, once all course work is completed ,and should occur by the end of the second year of the PhD program. The Candidacy Examination will be administered in two parts, a Written Examination, which is primarily intended to comprehensively examine the student on her or his area of research interest, and an Oral Examination, which is primarily intended to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research.

(4)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the program area defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis must represent an advance in knowledge of the candidate’s field of study and should be appropriate to form the basis for at least one refereed journal publication describing the methodology and results of the research.

    The minimum period of residence is four four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

    The doctoral program has an expected four-year minimum duration for full-time students from the bachelor's level. The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.18 The Degree of PhD in Public Health Sciences in the research area of Public Health

Program Requirements

    Students must complete the following:

(1)

Required courses (*9): PHS 602, 603, 604

(2)

Elective courses: five (*15) advanced-level courses at the 600- or 700-level, approved by the student's Supervisor.

(3)

Candidacy Examination: the Candidacy Examination is typically planned for sometime after the first year of the program, once all course work is completed and should occur by the end of the second year of the PhD program. The Candidacy Examination will be administered in two parts, a Written Examination, which is primarily intended to comprehensively examine the student on her or his area of research interest, and an Oral Examination, which is primarily intended to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research.

(4)

Thesis: successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the program area defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis must represent an advance in knowledge of the candidate’s field of study and should be appropriate to form the basis for at least one refereed journal publication describing the methodology and results of the research.

    The minimum period of residence is four four-month terms of full-time registration at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

    The doctoral program has an expected four-year minimum duration for full-time students from the bachelor's level. The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.

205.65.19 Graduate Courses

    Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Public Health Sciences (PHS).

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 11Major Deadlines from the 2011-2012 Academic Schedule
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Undergraduate Admission
 13Admission to Undergraduate Programs
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University Regulations and Information for Students
 20General University Policies
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Programs
30Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
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90Faculty of Extension
100Faculty of Law
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140Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
150Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
160School of Public Health
170Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
180Faculté Saint-Jean
191Faculty of Science

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
 200The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
 201Members of the Faculty
 202General Information
 203Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
 204Graduate Program Regulations
 205Graduate Programs
 210Graduate Financial Aid

Open Studies

Course Listings
 230Details of Courses
 231Course Listings

Glossary

General Information
 241University History and Traditions
 242Constitution of the University
 243University Libraries
 244Alumni Association
 245Affiliated Colleges

University Staff
 250Continuing Academic Staff
 251Emeriti
 252Associate and Adjunct Staff
 253Honorary Degree Recipients