205
Graduate Programs
205.66
Public Health
205.66 Public Health
School of Public Health
3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy
11405-87 Avenue
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1C9
E-mail: sph.programs@ualberta.ca
205.66.1 General Information
The School of Public Health offers a course-based degree of Master of Public Health (MPH) with several specializations, a thesis-based degree of Master of Science (MSc) with several specializations, a PhD with several specializations, and a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) is also offered.
Entrance Requirements
The School's minimum GPA requirements for the Master’s degrees (MPH and MSc) 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 is required for the MPH degree; and preference will be given for those applicants that have some relevant experience for the MSc degree.
The School’s minimum GPA requirements for the Doctoral degree (PhD) are higher than those set out as acceptable standards by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. These include a master’s (thesis- or course-based) 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 3.4 on the 4 point scale over the last 60; preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated high-level research aptitude and competence in the application of their discipline to research. The evidence for aptitude and competence includes previous engagement with in-depth public health research/practice, research scholarships or fellowships, and/or a research publication track record.
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 580 (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 7.0, 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 School.
Applicants are also required to provide
A current curriculum vitae | |||||
Three letters of reference | |||||
At least one year of relevant experience or significant volunteer experience is preferred. | |||||
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Financial Assistance
All students admitted to the School of Public Health 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 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.
205.66.2 The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health in Health Promotion (Not offered in 2015-2016)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Electives: four ( |
Length of Program
Students may undertake the Diploma program on a part-time or full-time basis. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is four years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.
205.66.3 The Degree of MPH in Applied Biostatistics (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: three ( |
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.
205.66.4 The Degree of MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: three ( |
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.
205.66.5 The Degree of MPH in Epidemiology (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: three ( |
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.
205.66.6 The Degree of MPH in Global Health (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: four ( |
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.
205.66.7 The Degree of MPH in Health Policy and Management (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: four ( |
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.
205.66.8 The Degree of MPH in Health Promotion (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||||
Elective courses: two ( |
Length of Program
Students may undertake the MPH on a part-time or full-time basis. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years (part- or full-time) from the date of first registration.
205.66.9 The Degree of MPH in Public Health Leadership (course-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||||
Elective courses: two ( |
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.
205.66.10 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Clinical Epidemiology
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: one ( | |||
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.
|
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.
205.66.11 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||||
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.
205.66.12 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Epidemiology
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||
Elective courses: two ( | |||
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.
205.66.13 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in General Public Health (thesis-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: Four ( | |
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.
205.66.14 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Global Health
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |||||
Elective courses: four (
| |||||
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.
205.66.15 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Health Policy Research
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||||
Elective courses: two ( | |||||
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.
205.66.16 The Degree of MSc in Health Promotion and Socio-behavioural Sciences (thesis-based)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses (
| |||||
Electives: one ( | |||||
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 progam will var 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.
205.66.17 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Health Technology Assessment (Not offered in 2015-2016)
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: two of: SPH 570, 685, 693 or a graduate-level course approved by the student's Supervisor. | |
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 .
205.66.18 The Degree of MSc in Public Health in Occupational Health
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: Two ( | |
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.
205.66.19 The Degree of PhD in Public Health in the research area of Epidemiology
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: three ( | |
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. | |
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.
205.66.20 The Degree of PhD in Public Health in the research area of Health Promotion and Socio-behavioural Sciences
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: additional courses as approved by the student's Supervisor. | |
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. | |
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.
205.66.21 The Degree of PhD in Public Health in the research area of Health Services and Policy Research
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: one ( | |
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. | |
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.
205.66.22 The Degree of PhD in Public Health in the research area of Public Health
Program Requirements
Students must complete the following:
Required courses ( | |
Elective courses: two ( | |
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. | |
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.
205.66.23 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading School of Public Health (SPH).
