Program Overview

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Simon Fraser University focuses on group learning and integrated, interdisciplinary courses. Students have the flexibility to focus their learning around their interests and are supported to become practice-ready professionals in just five terms.

Program Details

• Study: Full-time
• Length: Five terms
• Workload: Around 52 hours/week
• Coursework: Minimum of 46 credits
• Cost: $339.92/unit x 46 units = $15,636.32 minimum total tuition, plus $455/term in ancillary fees

Courses

Students complete a minimum of 46 credit hours of coursework, including a 13-week practicum experience and a master’s project. It is also possible to submit a thesis in lieu of a master’s project, if students complete a minimum of 49 credit hours.

MPH Course Plan

MPH students will complete the following during their degree:

• First Year:
  • Biostatistics for Public Health Practice
  • Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Core Concepts of Practice for Public Health I and II
  • Qualitative and Survey Research Methods
  • Analysis of Health Care Systems
  • Program Planning and Evaluation
  • 13-week Practicum
• Second Year:
  • Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health Promotion in Practice
  • Indigenous Health in Canada
  • Introduction to Global Health
  • Two elective choices
  • Capstone or MPH Thesis

Practicum

The practicum is a professional, practice-based experience that lasts one academic term, normally in the summer of the first year, in a designated workplace. During the 13-week practicum, students will spend 11 weeks on site with their placement. Since 2007, MPH students have completed practicums in 55 countries, 112 cities, and with 214 different organizations.

Capstone

The MPH capstone takes the form of an authentic, complex case study where students will work collaboratively to:

• Specify and examine the issues and populations impacted
• Apply secondary data to understand the issues
• Propose an appropriate conceptual framework(s) for analyzing and synthesizing the data
• Propose recommendations for comprehensive solution(s) that will address the challenge

Thesis

Students interested in the thesis option are required to secure a supervisor from the Faculty of Health Sciences. Availability of the thesis option will depend on a faculty member’s interests and schedule. Students taking the thesis option will spend a minimum of two additional terms in the program in order to meet the full requirements of the thesis.

Overview of Thesis Option

• Complete in 6+ terms
• Must defend research proposal before research begins
• Must write and defend thesis

Program Overview

• Complete in 5 terms
• Complete a real-life public health case-study and present findings to stakeholders

Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences offers various programs, including graduate and undergraduate degrees, and is involved in research activities, news, and events. The faculty is committed to providing students with a comprehensive education and preparing them for careers in public health and related fields.