Public Health

Testimonials

"All the instructors seemed really engaged in the courses they were teaching. There’s a nice mix of courses – some quantitative, some applied, and some theory. Everyone seemed to be very connected, and got along well. We did lots of activities together.”

Katherine Launier MPH, 2014

Program Contact

Graduate Assistant
Graduate Program in Public Health
Carruthers Hall, 3rd Floor
Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6

Phone: 613.533.2234
E-mail: lymang@queensu.ca
Website: www.queensu.ca/phs/master-public-health
Twitter: twitter.com/QueensuPHS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queensMPH

Program Overview

Public health education at Queen’s puts the spotlight on what works in public health.

The Queen’s University Master of Public Health is a professional, course-based degree that educates, equips and inspires students to take Evidence-Informed Action for Public Health.

The degree is 16 consecutive months in duration, attracting applicants from a range of disciplines.

A 12-month accelerated program is available for candidates with at least two years of cumulative paid work experience in health care, public health or a related field.

Opportunities

We support students on their path of continuing professional development. Our graduates hold positions as health planners, research analysts, health promoters, evaluators and project managers in health units, government agencies, hospitals, community organizations and research institutes across the country and beyond.

Career paths – employment opportunities

Our graduates work in various roles and settings in the public health community. Examples of alumni employment include:

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Public Health Practice Analyst
Public Health Agency of Canada – Biosafety Officer
Public Health Ontario – Program Coordinator, Research Associate, Infection Control Consultant
Cancer Care Ontario - Analyst, Policy and Guidelines
Local Health Integration Networks – Health Planner, Outreach Officer, Quality Improvement and Implementation Facilitator
Public Health Units – Program Manager, Health Equity Coordinator, Health Promoter
Community Health Centres – Health Educator, Health Planner

Degrees Offered/Method of Completion

Degrees Offered

16 months, full-time

12 month Accelerated MPH for Experienced Professionals, full-time

Part-time studies are available

Method of Completion

The 16 month MPH is comprised of 9 courses (6 mandatory core and 3 elective), a 400 hour practicum placement, and 36 hours of public health skills workshops.

Fall, Year 1

Foundations of Public Health
Introduction to Epidemiology
Introductory Biostatistics
Public Health Skills Workshops

Winter, Year 1

Public Policy and the Canadian Health System
Applied Research Methods for Program Planning and Evaluation
Public Health Skills Workshops
1-2 Electives

Summer, Year 1

Practicum Placement

Fall, Year 2

Leading Evidence-Informed Action
1-2 Electives

The 12-month Accelerated MPH for Experienced Professionals is an intensive program that involves carrying a load of four courses in each semester. The degree is comprised of 8 courses (6 mandatory core and 2 elective), and a 400 hour practicum placement.

Practicum Overview

The Master of Public Health program at Queen's includes two practicum elements. First, students participate in 36 hours of Public Health Skills Workshops, spread out in both fall and winter terms of year one. Second, students complete a 400-hour practicum placement in a supervised setting. This placement is usually completed in the spring and summer terms of year one from April - August.

Both practicum elements are designed to help students build their skills and competencies for a career in public health.

Examples of Public Health Skills Workshops:

Library research for evidence-informed public health
Designing and delivering a great presentation
Qualitative data to inform public health decisions
Skills for intercultural competency

Examples of Practicum Placement locations:

Public Health Agency of Canada
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Veterans Affairs Canada
Public Health Ontario
Public Health Units
Local Health Integration Networks
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Community Health Centres
Hamlet of Arviat, Nunavut
World Health Organization

Funding, Academic Prerequisites & Deadline

Funding Information

Queen’s University does not provide funding to students entering professional degrees.

Academic Prerequisites

Bachelor Degree in any discipline with a minimum 75%

Other Requirements

Undergraduate level course in mathematics, statistics or data analysis in order to demonstrate appropriate quantitative skills
Two copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Two academic reference letters
Statement of interest on why have you chosen to pursue a Master of Public Health at Queen’s University
Description of career goals and how the completion of the graduate degree contributes to their achievement

Additional requirements for 12-month accelerated MPH program

Demonstration of a minimum of two years cumulative paid work experience in health care, public health or a related field. Work experience may include two years of accredited residency through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Professional letter of reference from an employment source

Test Requirements

International students from a non-English speaking university or students with English as a second language will require a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper) or minimum TOEFL iBT scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30); for a total of 88/120. Please note applicants must have the minimum score in each test as well as the minimum overall score. The TOEFL institution code is 0949 and the department code is 50.

For applicants from universities outside of Canada, a Graduate Records Examination (GRE) score is mandatory. A minimum score of 149 on the quantitative section is required. The GRE institution code is 0949 and the department code is 0606.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Application submission deadline is January 31.

There is only one admission date per year, in September.

MPH Program Committee

Dr Colleen Davison, Practicum Coordinator, Email - davisonc@queensu.ca
Dr Duncan Hunter, Program Director, Email- hunter@queensu.ca
Dr Erica Weir, Public Health Physician, Email – Erica.weir@queensu.ca
Dr Megan Carter, Research Associate, KFL&A Public Health, Email - megan.carter@kflapublichealth.ca
Ms.Gerri Lyman, Graduate Assistant, Email- lymang@queensu.ca
Brenda Melles, Program Planning & Communications Coordinator, Email - brenda.melles@queensu.ca