Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Health Sciences Program

The Department of Health Sciences offers an on-campus, thesis-based, Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skill to undertake a supervised research study in a relevant area of concern, within the broad definition of health.

Program Overview

Completion of specific required courses, followed by selection of relevant elective courses, allows students to develop both breadth and depth in an area of research interest. Although students may choose to complete research studies using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches, they are required to demonstrate beginning competence in both quantitative and qualitative methods. The structure of the program allows students to complete elective courses in research methods and/or in a discipline-based area of interest.

Specializations Available

Applicants must choose a specialization as part of their Master of Health Sciences program. The available specializations include:

• Epidemiology
• Indigenous and Northern Health
• Gerontology
• Social-Ecological Systems, Sustainability and Health

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute, as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, degree students must have a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least second-class standing (B) based on their last 20 half-courses or equivalent.

Program Specific Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for Master programs, applicants must also submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Goals and Intentions
• Two references (names and email addresses)
• Official English Test Results (if required) Preference will be given to applicants who have completed statistics and research methods courses.

Application Deadline and Admission Decisions

The application deadline is February 13, 2026. Only complete applications, including references, will be reviewed. This program will begin making admission decisions after the February 1 application deadline.

Program Duration and Registration

Students completing the program as a Full-time student must complete all requirements within 6 terms (2 years) of continuous registration. Students completing the program as a Flexible Full-time student must complete all requirements within 12 terms (4 years) of continuous registration.

Academic Fees and Funding

General information about university fees, graduate tuition fees, convocation fees, and other university and program fees is available. Financial assistance opportunities are available in several forms and are generally awarded to students by individual programs on the basis of academic promise and financial need. The different funding options available include:

• Graduate Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards
• Graduate Assistantships
• Faculty Research Scholarships

Graduate Studies Funding Database

A searchable database of graduate scholarships, bursaries, and awards is provided. Award eligibility, criteria, and application procedures for graduate funding are indicated for each award.

Conditions of Graduate Awards

Graduate scholarships are based on academic merit. Graduate bursaries are based on financial need, although there may be a merit component to the bursary. Recipients of scholarships, awards, and bursaries must be registered in order to receive funding.

Required Application Documents

The application deadline is February 1st, 2026. Only complete applications, including references, will be reviewed. The required application documents include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Goals and Intentions
• Official Transcript
• Proof of Degree
• Program Specific Supporting Documents (if required)
• Official English Test Results (if required)

Next Steps

After submitting the online application form, students can access their account to complete the remaining steps of the application process, which include uploading the required supporting documents and monitoring the status of their application.

Campus and Program Type

The Master of Health Sciences program is offered at the Thunder Bay campus, and the program type is Masters. The available degrees include:

• Master of Health Sciences
• Gerontology The route for this program is Thesis.