Community Health Sciences

Community Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

Students in Community Health Sciences pursue solutions to complex problems in a wide range of big-picture health issues. This is one of the most diverse medicine programs offered by the University of Calgary, representing individual, family and population health in variety of healthcare, education and community settings. Students gain a strong foundation in core competencies in research and professional practice, with applied learning gained through interactions in clinical settings. Specializations touch on wide-ranging issues in community and population health and disease, health services, disabilities and more, preparing students for careers that require a deep understanding of - and the skills to act on - the many factors and relationships that affect community health.

Completing this program

  • Courses: Courses are determined according to the specialization and background of the student.
  • Research Ethics: Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.
  • Sex & Gender Module: Students are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca in the first year of their program.
  • Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
  • Seminars: Students attend Community Health Sciences and O'Brien Institute for Public Health seminars during the academic year.
  • Research proposal: Students must submit a research proposal for approval by their supervisory committee.
  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Specializations

  • Biostatistics
  • Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Economics
  • Health Services Research
  • Medical Education
  • Population/Public Health

Outcomes

Analyst; researcher; academic; rehabilitation/case/respite worker; consultant; recreation therapist; family outreach/advocacy; resource teacher; clinical trials biostatistician; epidemiologist; statistician; psychometrician; knowledge translation/prevention/development/health promotion specialist.

A PhD in community health sciences is usually considered a final degree; graduates may go on to pursue post-doctoral research.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Courses

Two or more, depending on specialization and background

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Four to five years full-time; six years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary’s (UCalgary) Foothills Campus from anywhere. Experience all that the Cumming School of Medicine has to offer for interested prospective graduate students. Explore this state of the art campus from wherever you are. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.


Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.


  1. Dana Olstad

    Dr. Dana Lee Olstad

    Seeking Students
    Public health nutrition
  2. Photo of Dr. Orr

    Serena Orr

    Unavailable
    Pediatric Headache Disorders, Pediatric Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Patient-Oriented Research, Pediatric Clinical Trials, Pediatric Neurostimulation
  3. Sachin Pendharkar

    Sachin Pendharkar

    Accepting Inquiries
    Sleep Disorders
  4. Doreen Rabi

    Doreen Rabi

    Accepting Inquiries
    Health and Health Services Research
  5. Placeholder Profile Image

    Pietro Ravani

    Accepting Inquiries
    Longitudinal studies, Medical prediction models
  6. A photo of Dr. Roach smiling

    Pamela Roach

    Unavailable
    Indigenous Health / Health Equity
  7. Photograph of Melanie June Rock (headshot)

    Melanie Rock

    Unavailable
  8. Paul Ronksley

    Paul Ronksley

    Accepting Inquiries
    Health Services Research, Epidemiology
  9. Placeholder Profile Image

    Rebecca Saah

    Unavailable
    Substance use, Public Health
  10. Tolu Sajobi

    Tolu Sajobi

    Accepting Inquiries
    biostatistics, clinical trials, quality of life research

Admission Requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

An MSc or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

None

Documents

  • A letter from a faculty member indicating interest in supervising the student
  • A statement outlining the applicant's interests and reasons for choosing the program

Reference letters

Two

Note:  When choosing your references, it is preferred that you choose individuals who are external to your supervisor.

Test scores

None

Work/Research Experience

Work and/or research experience related to your specialization of choice is highly recommended.


English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Dec. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of Community Health Sciences

Health Science Centre, Room HSC G341B
3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

 

Cumming School of Medicine

Health Sciences Centre
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary
Calgary, ABT2N 4N1

Visit their website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour


Highlights of the Community Health Sciences Program

These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.

cute puppy

Pets, people and urban places

Melanie Rock's research recognizes intricate connections between the health of humans, animals and ecosystems

Lindsay McLaren

Understanding the public health impact of fluoridation

Lindsay McLaren has found that removing fluoride from drinking water has worsened tooth decay among Calgary children

Dr. Tanya Beran

MEDi robot comforting young patients

Dr. Tanya Beran, founder of Rxrobots, is studying children's interactions with robots in hospital settings