Core Requirements

All MPH Students complete a minimum of 47 credit hours of coursework, including a minimum 13 week practicum experience, normally completed over an academic term, and submission of a master’s project. With the approval of the senior supervisor and the Director, Graduate Programs students may submit a thesis in lieu of a master’s project, but all students must complete a practicum. Students choosing to write a thesis will complete a minimum of 50 credit hours. Students who choose to take longer to complete the program should plan to complete a minimum of two courses per term.

Core Course Requirements (23 credits)

All of:

• HSCI 801-4: Biostatistics for Public Health Practice I
• HSCI 802-4: Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health
• HSCI 803-4: Qualitative and Survey Research Methods
• HSCI 845-3: Environmental and Occupational Health
• HSCI 880-3: Practicum
• HSCI 897-3: Master’s Project
• HSCI 900-0: MPH Seminars*
• HSCI 901-1: Public Health Practice Seminars *

*HSCI 900 and HSCI 901 are taken in the first year in the fall and spring terms

Master’s Project

All MPH students must complete a capstone experience. For most this consists of the preparation and oral presentation of a mentored paper. More information on the Master's Project.

Thesis Option

Instead of the master's project, students may elect to complete a thesis. More information on the Thesis Option.

The Practicum

All students will complete a practicum which may be undertaken during any term. Before going on practicum, students are expected to complete at minimum the following courses: HSCI 801, 802, 803, 901. Students will consult with their senior supervisor on all courses that must be taken before going on practicum. Under special circumstances students may request written permission from the Director, Public Health Practice and the senior supervisor to substitute one of the prerequisite courses, or to carry out the practicum prior to completion of the required courses.

The MPH curriculum has been designed to permit students to complete their practicum during the summer term (May to August) of their first year, though it may be completed later in the student’s program, provided that course prerequisites are met. This will give students ample time to complete their core requirements before undertaking the practicum.

Public Health Practice Seminar

Public Health Practice Seminars involve workshops and seminars designed to help prepare students for practicums and the work place. Students register in the Public Health Practice Seminars in the fall and spring semester of their first year in the program.