Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
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.
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Accepting InquiriesQuality of Healthcare -
Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting InquiriesRheumatoid Arthritis Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Indigenous Health -
Accepting InquiriesChild and adult health and education -
Accepting InquiriesMedical Education: Social justice and accountability; competency-based medical education -
UnavailableEpidemiology of Diabetes/Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Transition of Youth with Diabetes from Pediatric to Adult Care -
UnavailableAreas of Research -
Accepting InquiriesHealth Economics -
Seeking Students -
Accepting InquiriesFamily Medicine, Screening, especially for Cancer
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:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 105.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 75, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 with no section less than 70.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.
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 349A
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
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.
Highlights of the Community Health Sciences Program
These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.
Pets, people and urban places
Melanie Rock's research recognizes intricate connections between the health of humans, animals and ecosystems
Understanding the public health impact of fluoridation
Lindsay McLaren has found that removing fluoride from drinking water has worsened tooth decay among Calgary children
MEDi robot comforting young patients
Dr. Tanya Beran, founder of Rxrobots, is studying children's interactions with robots in hospital settings
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