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MPH Admissions

Admissions Criteria

The following admissions criteria must be met in order to be eligible to apply for entry:

  • 4 year Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a health-related field, from a recognized university.
  • Minimum 75% average in final two years of study (equivalent to last 20 half-credit courses).
  • Minimum 1 year prior work experience in a public health setting or other relevant setting.
  • University-level course in basic statistics highly recommended.

Application Information

Thank you for your interest in our Master of Public Health graduate program in the School of Public Health and Health Systems.

The University of Waterloo uses an online application process for all UW graduate programs. Applying is a two step process. First you must complete the online application. One to two business days after completing the online application you will be provided with access to your student file at UW where you will be directed to upload the supporting documentation.
To apply please refer to the Graduate Application Instructions. Please also refer to the departmental requirements below.

 

Departmental Requirements:

All of your documentation (including reference letters) MUST be submitted online through UW's Graduate Studies Office by the deadline, February 1st 2013 . This is the deadline for completed applications for Fall admission, the only entry point available each year. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Early application is encouraged.  An application checklist is available to help ensure you have all of your required documents- get the checklist here

Reference forms and letters must be completed by your referees through the online system. Please ensure you provide your referees with adequate time to complete this process before the February 1st deadline. Please ensure that you apply more then 14 days prior to the department deadline to provide enough time for your referees to submit their form in time. To give your referees the 14 days to submit reference letters make sure you submit your online application by mid-January 2013.

  • Personal essay.

    The minimum criteria for admission to the UW MPH include an honours undergraduate degree in a discipline relevant to public health and at least one year of relevant experience.  Since relevance is often dependent on context, we need to know more about you and your plans.  

The personal essay is your opportunity to define the relevance of your training and experience.  In a narrative of no more than 500 words (include word count) please describe:

  • the education, work and life experiences that have brought you to the decision to apply to the MPH program
  • how the MPH will help you in your future career


You may wish to refer to the following link to information on the essential public health functions and core competencies for the practice of public health.  http://www.corecompetencies.ca/

  • Academic transcript from each post secondary institution that you have attended.

  • Two letters of reference, one academic and one professional.
    If you have been out of school for an extended period of time and are unable to supply an academic reference you are permitted to submit two professional references. Please ensure that one professional referee is able to comment on your academic ability and potential, in letter format in addition to the reference form.

  • Curriculum vitae/resumé indicating your past academic and professional experience

  • Proof of Permanent Resident/Landed Immigrant status if necessary

  • More information specific to international applicants is available at the University of Waterloo's International website

  • If English is not your first language you might need to include official English proficiency test scores with your application. Go to the English Language Proficiency Certification website to find out the criteria for exemptions, and which tests and scores are acceptable for admission (note: not the "Alternative" scores).

All applications are submitted online so you will be unable to include any additional materials with your submission.

Applicants that are accepted into the MPH program are not guaranteed funding. We encourage students to investigate the possibility of scholarships, bursaries, or other awards for which they may be eligible at their home institution or the appropriate government office. CIHR has an awards program for Public Health Professional Master's Programs, however the competition is currently on hold. Visit the CIHR website for more information.

Again, the deadline for applications and submission of all supporting documentation is February 1st, 2013. Shortly after the deadline, the admissions committee will review all of the applicant files. Applicants will be informed of the committee's decision.

Please remember that this program is delivered in distance education format only. On-campus attendance is required only during the first two weeks and final two weeks of the program for block courses. All other courses have no on-campus component. Reliable high-speed internet access is highly recommended. The degree is course-work and practicum based. There is no research/thesis option in this program.

Feel free to contact the Graduate Student Coordinator if you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit to the department.

Monika Soczewinski
Graduate Student Coordinator
School of Public Health and Health Systems
519-888-4567 ext 38200

mph@uwaterloo.ca