探花系列

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School of Public Health & Social Policy

Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Health (BA in Public Health) provides the skills needed for a wide variety of careers that support public and community health.

In this program, you’ll learn about the determinants of health and health equity in a Canadian context. You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis, health research literacy, program planning, community development, inter-professional teamwork and knowledge translation.

In the final year of the program, you’ll put these skills into practice during a 225-hour practicum where you’ll gain real-world public health experience.

Fawn Hall

Prepare your application

Find out what you need to apply to the BA-PH program and look ahead at the required courses.

Admissions requirements Program planning
Fawn Hall (BA-PH '23) works as the project manager for the Indigenous Health team at BC Women鈥檚 and BC Children鈥檚 Hospitals.
4

potential areas of focus

30.0

units of coursework

225

hours of practicum experience

Program overview

The BA in Public Health is a flexible delivery program. Most of the program is delivered online, with a mix of synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous course elements. You may also choose to take synchronous and/or on-campus elective courses.

During the program, you will: 

  • learn about the current and historical issues that inform contemporary public health in Canada
  • develop foundational skills in program planning, administration and evaluation and community development and advocacy
  • complete a 225-hour practicum where you’ll apply what you’ve learned in your courses while developing interpersonal and team building skills
  • choose 1 of 4 areas of focus:
    1. ageing
    2. disability studies
    3. Indigenous peoples’ health
    4. international and global health and human development

Note: due to practicum placement requirements, the BA in Public Health is only available to students who live in Canada.

With an emphasis on social justice, our program focuses on community-centred approaches to health promotion, health protection, disease and injury prevention, and effective provision of health and community services."
鈥 Cathy Worthington, School of Public Health and Social Policy director

Synchronous events

As part of the program, you’ll attend 2 events:

  1. Gateway orientation: this event introduces you to the program and provides you with strategies for online learning. Orientation is typically held in the last week of August before you begin the program.
  2. Culminating conference: you will present your practicum final paper or project to your peers. The culminating conference is typically held in late April or early May of your final year.

These events may be a blend of online and in-person. We will confirm the format when you are accepted into the program.

Program outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

  • examine the history of public health in Canada and the ongoing impacts of key events and policies on its populations
  • critically analyze how social, structural and environmental determinants of health contribute to health outcomes and health equity across populations
  • apply diverse perspectives on health and wellbeing from Indigenous, other non-western and western knowledge systems to public health issues
  • show knowledge of and skills in health research literacy for public health policies and programs
  • use health promotion theories to analyze public health interventions at the individual, community, organizational and public policy levels
  • examine the role of community engagement and community leadership in promoting population health and social justice
  • show the ability to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of health programs
  • communicate health information effectively with interprofessional teams and communities
  • demonstrate cultural humility and critical self-reflection when analyzing public health information and interacting with diverse individuals, groups and communities
  • support organizations and communities to advocate for and advance their public and population health priorities

Student stories

Maddy Yonkers

Distance learning helps Calgary grad balance life and studies

When Maddy Yonkers crosses the stage for convocation at the 探花系列 in June to receive her bachelor’s degree, it will be the first time she has set foot on the island.

Career possibilities

Our programs prepare you to work in public health and community services, including the provincial and federal government, health authorities, non-governmental organizations, non-profit community organizations and social service agencies. You’ll learn about and connect directly with people working in a range of public health areas.

Some career options for our graduates include:

  • community worker
  • health administrator
  • health advocate
  • health literacy specialist
  • health educator
  • health promoter
  • health system navigator
  • healthy communities planner
  • human resources volunteer coordinator
  • non-profit leadership
  • prevention specialist
  • project coordinator
  • resource/fund development coordinator

Learn more about how a BA in Public Health can set you up for your future career.

Ready to apply?

If the BA in Public Health sounds like the right program for you, our undergraduate admissions page explains how to prepare and submit your application.

Apply online