Master of Public Health in Canada at UVic Canada

Program Overview for Master of Public Health in Canada:

Use your passion for health equity, social justice, and play a role in your community. Our students analyze public health issues and policies from different perspectives. They explore the ethical, legal, and social dilemmas that affect public health, health, and community services. In essence, the collective goal of our school is to promote the health of the population.

In our flexible and accessible online courses, you will learn and participate where you live and work. Internship arrangements will help you put your skills to use. Most of our courses are offered in the form of online or distance learning. 

In our MPH program, you will prepare for a career that promotes the health and well-being of the population. Our graduates have extensive experience providing systems, projects, research, and administrative support in the health and community services sector, including health promotion and public health; governmental and non-profit organizations; and primary, home, and community care. 

Students choose a focus area for indigenous health or social policy research. You will learn through online courses and the required experience on campus and complete your degree through a final report or thesis. 

MPH based on courses is completed full-time (six semesters) in 24 months. It is also possible to study part-time.

Areas of focus

• Indigenous health studies
• Social policy
• Core curriculum
• Epidemiology and biostatistics
• Health promotion
• Social determinants of health
• Healthy public policy
• Public health research
• Public health interventions

Find a supervisor 

You do not need to find a supervisor before applying. If you need a supervisor for your studies, we will help you complete the process once you are admitted.

The eligibility for Master of Public Health in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

Applications for admission are first received by the Graduate Admissions and Records Office. This office evaluates each applicant’s transcripts to determine admissibility to the program. After this determination, the application is forwarded to the School of Public Health and Social Policy for consideration by the department’s Admissions Committee.

Applicants are required to indicate whether they intend to study as full-time or part-time students and their anticipated area of focus. Students selecting the Public Health Nursing (PHN) area of focus will be required to show evidence of active practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or the equivalent registration for the jurisdiction in which they are undertaking their program. Courses in the PHN area of focus are offered subject to sufficient enrolment.

The School will endeavor to select the strongest candidates in each of the four areas of focus. Once admitted to the program, students may change their area of focus subject to individual academic advising.

Students enrolled in the Diploma program who want to transfer to the Master's program will be required to meet with the academic adviser and put their request in writing to the Director of the School. Students wanting to move from the Diploma to the Master's program must be in good standing and hold a minimum of a B+ (6.0 GPA) in the Diploma program.

Admission to the Diploma program does not guarantee admission to the MPH program. Students who have completed the Diploma program are eligible to apply for admission to the MPH program. Applications will be competitively assessed within the MPH applicant pool.

Applicants will be required to have completed an undergraduate statistics course with a minimum grade of B. Students may be provisionally accepted into either the Diploma or Masters in Public Health program with the condition that they complete an undergraduate statistics course (with a minimum grade of B) before beginning the program.

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

• Have an undergraduate degree with a minimum B+ (6.0) Average (75-79%) in the last two years (30 units) leading to the undergraduate degree.
• Have completed an undergraduate statistics course at the second-year level or above focusing on data analysis (not research methods) with a grade of B or above within ten years of program entry date.
• Complete the online application. All required documents (including names and contact information for two references, relevant transcripts, resumé/CV, and Statement of Intent) should be ready to upload at the time of application.
• Provide references that should come from individuals who can provide a reliable assessment of the applicant’s abilities; academic or professional references are acceptable.
• Please provide a Statement of Intent that describes why the applicant is seeking a Master's in Public Health and how the degree relates to their experience, goals, and career plans.
• Applicants who accept the offer of a seat in the program are required to provide proof of a criminal record check for the jurisdiction in which they will be completing the program before the required on-site Gateway Orientation in August of the year of admission. Instructions will be included in letters of offer.

Applicants are encouraged to submit whatever other evidence of suitability for admission they feel is relevant (e.g., academic records from non-degree courses).

The Admissions Committee assesses an applicant’s ability to complete the MPH program. Application to the MPH degree program will be competitively assessed based on four criteria: 1) Grade Point Average; 2) Statement of Intent; 3) Professional Experience and Community Service, and 4) References.

These are the test eligibilities for the Master of Public Health to qualify.

The international student tuition fees and costs for Master of Public Health in Canada.

Contact the graduate secretary at phsp@uvic.ca or 250-721-8204.

Graduate students registered in full-time programs are automatically considered for a fellowship. This is based on a qualifying GPA.

Individual award amounts may vary depending on the program.

UVic Fellowship Awards

• Up to $17,500 per year (masters)
• Up to $20,000 per year (Ph.D.)

UVic Graduate Awards

• Up to $10,000 per year (masters and Ph.D.)

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for funding consideration is an A- average on the last two years of coursework.
• Domestic and international students are considered equally for funding
• Full-time registration (3.0 units) for UVic Fellowship holders and at least part-time registration (1.5 units) for UVic Graduate Award holders
• Full-time registration for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is 1.5 units

Every year we employ many graduate students to assist with teaching, research, and lab instruction.

• Their academic units hire teaching assistants (TAs) to assist with teaching and grading courses. These are unionized, hourly positions.
• Faculty members hire research assistants (RAs) to help with their research. These roles are sometimes called scientific assistants or laboratory instructors. RA salaries come from faculty members’ research grants. Because of this, RA hours, salary, and other details are worked out between you and the faculty member.

Work-study

The work-study program offers part-time jobs on campus that fit your course schedule.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a full-time student
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Co-operative Education Program (co-op)

UVic is home to the largest graduate co-op program in Canada. You can add a co-op to your master’s or doctoral studies for work experience in your field of study.

Bursaries

We offer non-repayable bursaries based on financial needs.

To be eligible for a bursary, you must be:

• Already receiving the maximum government student loans available to you
• In full-time status as determined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• In good academic standing