Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is an innovative, online program that teaches you how to creatively analyze public health issues and policies from diverse perspectives and explore the ethical, legal and social dilemmas impacting public health.
Gain real-world, professional experience through a 450-hour practicum at a Canadian public health organization. Finish your degree with a culminating project or thesis, applying what you've learned in class and in the workplace.
potential areas of focus
hours of practicum experience
years to complete full-time
Program overview
The Master of Public Health can be completed full-time in 2 years (6 consecutive academic terms) and part-time in 3 to 4 years (8 to 11 consecutive academic terms). You have up to 5 years to complete the program.
As part of the program, you will choose one of the following areas of focus:
- social policy
- Indigenous people’s health
A 450-hour practicum in your final year lets you develop and demonstrate public health knowledge and skills within a professional practice setting. A culminating project or thesis completes your program.
Note: due to practicum placement requirements, the MPH program is only available to students who live in Canada.
Synchronous events
Courses are completed online and asynchronously, though some courses may require synchronous (real-time) components. This program model allows you to study in your own community.
As part of the program, you'll attend 2 synchronous events:
- Gateway orientation: this 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.
- Culminating conference: you will present your practicum final paper or project paper to your peers. The culminating conference is typically held in late April or early may of your final year.
These events will be online and usually have optional in-person components.
Core competencies
The learning outcomes of the MPH program align with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s and fall under these 10 thematic categories:
- public health sciences
- assessment and analysis
- policy development and analysis
- program planning, implementation and evaluation
- public health advocacy
- communication
- partnership and collaboration
- leadership
- health equity and social justice
- ethical and reflective practice
Student stories
Transformative degree brings together care & justice for grad
Andrea Figueroa's graduate degree took them from working at supervised consumption sites in Montreal to collaborating with community-based harm reduction services in Mexicali, Mexico and San Francisco, USA.
Career possibilities
The Master of Public Health program prepares you to work in a range of public health and community services. This includes the provincial and federal government, health authorities, non-governmental organizations, non-profit community organizations and social service agencies.
Some career pathways for our graduates include:
- child health advocate/coordinator
- community development
- disability advocacy
- environmental health officer
- healthy communities planner
- health education coordinator
- health policy analyst/advisor
- health promotion facilitator
- health promotion specialist
- health researcher
- public health inspector
- public health nurse manager
- research project coordinator/manager
- seniors advocacy
Ready to apply?
We accept applications for September entry to the MPH program between October 1 and January 31 of the year of admission. Visit our admissions page for more information about requirements and deadlines: