Degrees Offered

Master of Public Health, 16 months, full-time

Accelerated MPH for Experienced Professionals, 12 months, full-time

Part-time studies are available

Method of Completion

The Master of Public Health degree can be completed in 16 consecutive months.

Attracting applicants from a range of disciplines, the degree is comprised of:

• 9 courses - 6 mandatory core and 3 elective
• 400 hour practicum in a supervised setting
• Public Health Professional Development Course, including practical sessions to build core competencies for public health

Fall, Year 1

• EPID 801: Introduction to Epidemiology
• EPID 802: Foundations of Public Health
• EPID 821: Essentials of Biostatistics
• EPID 886: Public Health Professional Development

Winter, Year 1

• EPID 803: Public Health System in Canada
• EPID 806: Applied Research Methods for Program Planning and Evaluation
• Typically 1 Elective
• EPID 886: Public Health Professional Development

Summer, Year 1

• EPID 887: Practicum Placement

Fall, Year 2

• EPID 805: Leading Evidence-Informed Action
• Typically 1 Elective

Part-time studies are available. For more information, contact our Graduate Assistant Gerri Lyman at lymang@queensu.ca

The Accelerated Master of Public Health degree takes 12 consecutive months to complete. 

Eligible applicants have a minimum of two years cumulative full-time paid employment 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. Eligible work experience is paid employment after the completion of an undergraduate degree and may not include co-op work experience that was part of an undergraduate degree

This academically demanding and intensive program involves carrying a load of four courses in each semester and is comprised of:

• 8 courses – 6 mandatory core and 2 elective
• 400 hour practicum in a supervised setting

Fall, Year 1

• EPID 801: Introduction to Epidemiology
• EPID 802: Foundations of Public Health
• EPID 805: Leading Evidence-Informed Action
• EPID 821: Essentials of Biostatistics

Winter, Year 1

• EPID 803: Public Health System in Canada
• EPID 806: Applied Research Methods for Program Planning and Evaluation
• 2 Electives

Summer, Year 1

• EPID 887: Practicum 

Part-time studies are available.  For more information, contact our Graduate Assistant Gerri Lyman at lymang@queensu.ca.

Our goal is to help students transition from graduate studies into the profession of public health, and support them to map out a path of continuing professional development.  

The MPH includes a mandatory 400-hour practicum whose purpose is for students to apply the knowledge, skills and competencies from course work in a supervised public health setting in order to gain exposure to public health in practice. Students complete their practicum in a variety of settings, including local, provincial, regional, national and international host organizations. The practicum is usually completed in the spring and summer terms of year one, between May and August.

Our students also have access to a range of professional development opportunities, including the MPH program's Public Health Professional Development course, a weekly departmental seminar series, the School of Graduate Studies' Expanding Horizons workshops series, student organized conferences and more. 

It all fits into our mission to educate, equip and inspire students to take Evidence-Informed Action for Public Health. 

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
• Community Health Centres
• Hamlet of Arviat, Nunavut
• World Health Organization

Funding Information

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

Academic Prerequisites

Candidates for admission must hold a minimum 75% average in one of the following degrees awarded by a recognized University:

• An honours Bachelor Degree in Arts or Science
• A Bachelor Degree in Applied Science or Law
• A Degree of Doctor of Medicine
• Or equivalent

General Requirements

• Undergraduate level course in mathematics, statistics or data analysis in order to demonstrate appropriate quantitative skills

• Two copies of transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended.  (Applicants from Queen’s University do not need to order transcripts from Queen’s; your records will be accessed internally)

• Two reference letters

  • Applicants to the 16-month MPH program require two academic reference letters from professors under whom the applicant has recently studied

  • Applicants to the Accelerated MPH program require one academic reference letter from a professor under whom the applicant has recently studied, and one professional reference letter from a supervisor in a relevant employment setting

• At Queen's University, English is the language of instruction and communication. Proficiency in English is therefore a prerequisite for admission. Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not recently studied for at least one complete year at a post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction, will be required to obtain satisfactory results in an English language proficiency test as part of the application process, and before their application will be considered complete. Below are the tests we accept along with the minimum scores required:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum overall score is 88, made up of the minimum scores in each component test as follows: written 24/30; speaking 22/30; reading 22/30; listening 20/30. Applicants must have the minimum score in each test as well as the minimum overall score. 
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum score is 7 in the academic module. 

• 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.

• More detailed information and instructions may be found on the MPH website: https://phs.queensu.ca/graduate-programs/master-public-health/how-apply

Additional requirements for accelerated MPH program for Experienced Professionals

• 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.

  • To fulfill eligibility requirements, work experience must be after completion of an undergraduate degree and may not include summer employment or co-op work experience that was part of an undergraduate degree

• Reference requirements are one academic reference from a professor under whom you have recently studied, and one professional reference from a supervisor in a relevant employment setting

Key Dates and Deadlines

Application submission deadline is January 31.  

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

Program outcomes are statements that express what students can actually DO at the completion of the program.

Our goal is to educate, equip and inspire students to:

1. Define public health issues using a population health approach
2. Search for evidence to address public health issues
3. Appraise and interpret public health evidence
4. Synthesize evidence to develop recommendations for public health action
5. Adapt public health communication and evidence-based interventions to specific contexts and populations
6. Plan to implement public health programs, services and policies
7. Evaluate the process and outcomes of public health actions
8. Demonstrate development of core attitudes and values of a public health professional

Our eight outcomes use the NCCMT Evidence-Informed Public Health wheel as an organizing framework (http://www.nccmt.ca/professional-development/eiph).  

A copy of the most recent student handbook may be found on the program website.

View the Grad Maps for this department and all graduate degrees on the Career Services website

For Student Stories, please scroll to the bottom of the program website.