Academic Options

YES.   Students may take the program over a longer period by registering in fewer courses per semester.  However, many courses are scheduled throughout the day and working students will have to accommodate scheduled course offerings.  Students who choose to take longer to complete their program should plan to complete a minimum of two courses per semester.  HSCI 900 (the MPH seminar) should be completed in the first year.

A single course cannot count toward two degree programs.  However a course may be considered an equivalent if it does not apply toward another degree program, and it is considered a course equivalent.  Only admitted students will be considered for course transfer.  Students requesting course transfer credit must provide the graduate program coordinator a course syllabus, complete a course waiver form, and provide a rationale for their request.  Following approval by the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), a request is made to the Dean of Graduate Studies ro record the transfer credit on a student's transcipt.

YES. With the approval of the instructor and the Director Graduate Programs, graduate students from other Universities or disciplines can take health science courses. Approval into a course by the instructor may be affected by class size and prerequisite requirements.

Students from outside SFU would apply as as “non-degree students” or through the Western Dean’s Agreement. Non-degree students apply on-line to take specific courses. As part of their application, non-degree students must provide the graduate program with original post-secondary transcripts. 

YES. A student seeking to complete a master’s thesis must have the support of their senior supervisor.  Note that all students must complete a practicum.  Also note that, on average, completing a thesis will take 6-12 months longer.

YES.  Thesis stream students are required to complete practicum.

NO. At present, the Faculty of Health Sciences does not offer on-line instruction.

NO.  At present the Faculty of Health Sciences does not offer evening or weekend courses, though this may change in the near future.

To be considered full time an MPH student must be registered for a minimum of six credit hours (two courses).  However, your course load may affect financial aid eligibility, which varies by province and lending institutions.

MSc students pay per semester fees and must register full time.  The number of courses an MSc student takes will not change the per semester fee paid.

YES.  MPH and MSc students can change supervisors.

To ensure incoming MPH students make contact with faculty early on in their academic life, MPH students are assigned senior supervisors.  Supervisors are temporarily assigned, pending clarity around the practicum (the goals and outcomes), and the student’s research and practitioner goals.  By the end of the Fall semester, students are expected to formally declare their senior supervisor.

To be considered for admission, MSc students require the support of a senior supervisor.   They are assigned to that supervisor following admission to the program and MSc students will work with that supervisor to determine their course work.

To declare a senior supervisor or to change senior supervisors, a student must complete a Supervisory Committee or a Change of Supervisory Committee form that is approved by the senior supervisor and the Director, Graduate Programs.  This form is not formalized until the new supervisory committee has been approved by the office of the Dean of Graduate Studies

YES.  All admitted students are considered for funding. Obtaining funding through awards is competitive, based on many factors including eligibility and grade point average.

Students  are also eligible to apply for both internal and external awards that become available throughout the academic year.

External awards are advertised in the Fall semester.  The Dean of Graduate Studies  circulates the terms of reference, including deadlines for these awards to all faculties and departments.  All external awards are competitive and overseen by a University adjudicating committee.