Community Health Sciences

Community Health Sciences

Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

Community Health Sciences students develop a core set of skills to recognize, explore and solve problems at the intersection between population, public health and education. This program is one of the most diverse medicine programs offered by the University of Calgary; faculty and students address big-picture issues in health care, from biostatistics, disease and population health to social and economic factors in community health, disability issues, delivery of health services and more. The program is ideal for students inspired to do research with wide-ranging impact, and who are ready to gain the specialized knowledge and skills required to tackle the intricate details of the complex issues affecting 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.
  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
  • Seminars: Students attend Community Health Sciences and O'Brien Institute for Public Health seminars during the academic year.
  • Research proposal: Students must submit research proposals for approval by their supervisory committee.

Specializations

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

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 master’s degree in community health sciences will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.

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

Two to three years full-time; four 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.

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.


  1. Az_2020

    Abdel-Aziz Shaheen

    Accepting Inquiries
    Chronic Liver Diseases
  2.  Zahra

    Zahra Shirin Goodarzi

    Seeking Students
    Knowledge Translation
  3. Jessica Simon

    Jessica Simon

    Accepting Inquiries
    1. Palliative Care, 2. Advance Care Planning, 3. Health Equity and Indigenous Health
  4. Eric Smith

    Eric Smith

    Accepting Inquiries
    Neurology/Cognition
  5. Eldon Spackman

    Eldon Spackman

    Seeking Students
    Health Economics
  6. Frank W Stahnisch

    Frank W Stahnisch

    Accepting Inquiries
    History of Medicine and the Life Sciences, History and Philosophy of the Neurosciences, History of Physiology, Medical Visualizations throughout History, History of Public Mental Health and Psychiatry
  7. Thomas Stelfox

    Thomas Stelfox

    Unavailable
    Background
  8. Glen L. Sumner

    Glen Sumner

    Unavailable
    Health Economics and Cardiovascular Outcomes, Health Outcomes Research, Health Economics and Cardiovascular Outcomes, Health Economics: Health Finance and Health Policy, Health Economics: Health Care Financing, Health Economics: Behavioural Economics, Health Economics: Health Care Financing, Health Economics: Health Care Finance
  9. profile photo

    Karen Tang

    Accepting Inquiries
    Health Services Research, Health Disparities, Social and Structural Vulnerabilities
  10. Dr. Matthew James

    Matthew Thomas James

    Accepting Inquiries
    Kidney Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Risk Prediction, Decision Support, Patient Oriented Research, Implementation Science, Pragmatic Trials

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

A four year baccalaureate degree, 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