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Master of Public Health (MPH)

Educating Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow

The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at the University of Guelph is a top professional program that equips students to respond to critical issues in public health, such as infectious and chronic diseases, health promotion and protection and climate change adaptation. Graduates are prepared to make real-world impacts by addressing the social, economic and political root causes of health and disease and the interconnections between human, animal and environmental health.

Practicums offer hands-on experience
Through the completion of one or two placements, each lasting four months, students gain valuable work experience that prepares them for successful careers in public health.
Canada’s only MPH program offered within a veterinary school
MPH students are well-trained in all areas of public health, including infectious and zoonotic diseases and One Health.
Careers After Graduation
MPH graduates work in diverse public health roles, such as epidemiologists, health promotion specialists and policy analysts. They are employed by a variety of organizations, including government agencies, public health units and non-profits.
Future Learning Opportunities
Graduates may choose to pursue further education in medicine, other health professions, or public health.

Program and Practicum(s) Overview

Program Start: Fall semester entry only

Domestic Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

International Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

Duration: Five full-time semesters

Structure: 12 core courses with practicum placement(s)

Format: In-person

Practicum Details:

  • One or two four-month placements
  • First practicum completed after a minimum of six courses are finished
  • Practicum is completed in the spring semester (May–August) with host agencies in Canada or internationally
  • An optional second practicum may be completed in the fifth semester

The MPH program does not require specialization. All students complete the same core courses. Students tailor their education through electives in areas such as advanced epidemiology, zoonotic diseases, and infectious disease modeling. Faculty integrate lectures, case-based learning, discussions, and real-world problem-solving to apply concepts to real-life scenarios.

Admissions

Applicants must meet the University of Guelph Admission Requirements to qualify for entry. The minimum admission requirements for both MPH and Graduate Diploma in Public Health (G.Dip) are:

  • An honours degree with a minimum average of “B+” in the last four semesters of full-time study, or DVM/BScN/MD professional degree with a minimum overall average of “B+”
  • Evidence of a strong academic record, supportive references, demonstrated motivation, and a genuine interest in public health

Applications are not pre-assess for eligibility, but applicants may calculate their admission average using the link provided. Applicants with international transcripts should refer to the International Credential Guidelines to convert grades to University of Guelph equivalents.

A secured faculty advisor is not required for entry into the MPH or G.Dip programs (one will be assigned after acceptance into the program). GRE is not required for admission.

Prospective MPH+DVM students must meet the admission requirements of both individual programs. Applicants must have previously applied to and currently be registered in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program to be considered for the MPH+DVM.

DVM students may apply to the MPH+DVM combined degree program in their third or fourth year of the DVM program. Eligible applicants who began the DVM program prior to completing an honours BSc (in Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Public Health), BScN, or MD (or their equivalent), if admitted, will receive an offer conditional upon completion of the DVM. 

Candidates should have earned a B+ average in their honours BSc degree or at least a B- average in a professional degree (e.g., BScN, DVM, or MD). Additionally, applicants must complete the One Health module as part of Health Management III in Phase 3 of the DVM program. All applicants must submit a one-page statement of interest including career goals at the intersection of veterinary and public health.

Students interested in the MPH + Collaborative Specialization in International Development Studies must meet the general admissions requirements for the MPH degree. In addition, it is recommended that applicants interested in the collaborative specialization have completed:

  • One undergraduate course in economics (preferably micro-economics)
  • One other undergraduate course in a social science discipline (Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science or International Development)
  • One course in social science research methods (qualitative or quantitative)

Students may start their MPH or G.Dip program in the Fall. Admission deadlines for both programs are as follows.

International Applicants

  • Applications due by December 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM (EST)
  • Applicants have 10 business days to upload the required application documents*
  • All documents must be received by December 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM (EST)

Domestic Applicants

  • Applications due by February 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EST)
  • Applicants have 10 business days to upload the required application documents*
  • All documents must be received by February 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EST)

*Please plan your admission to be able to meet all deadlines. Within 5 business days of completing your online application, you will receive an email with your login information and instructions on how to upload your supporting documents from the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS). It will also take up to 5 business days for referee requests to be sent. The WebAdvisor account information and the referee requests cannot be expedited. You will receive an email from our office (ovc.mph@uoguelph.ca) with full details on all required documents (including departmental requirements separate from the base University of Guelph requirements) shortly after you submit your initial application. 

The additional documents to upload to WebAdvisor are:

1. Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions (including transcript/grading legends) in English.

  • Official transcripts are only required if the applicant is provided with an offer of admission. You are permitted to upload unofficial copies during the application process.
  • If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide translations of those documents. Translations cannot be completed by the applicant; translated documents must come from the issuing institution.
  • World Education Services (WES) credential evaluations are not accepted.

2. Two letters of reference using the University of Guelph online form. 

  • Please use the Referee Request GryphForm (Add/Change/Delete Referee) link to make any revisions to your referees. If your referees have advised you within 2 weeks that they have still not received the link, I would recommend you suggest to them to check their junk/spam folders. If they still do not see the email with the link, I would suggest you complete the Referee Request GryphForm link above and ask that the link be sent to them once again. Please note: you need to use your University of Guelph issued email address to complete the form. If you have any questions about that form please reach out to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at gradapps@uoguelph.ca, as they are the ones who manage that form and application-related documents.
  • Please note: your application will not be considered ‘complete’ until ALL requested WebAdvisor documents have been received. If you have a third referee and only need 2, your third referee will need to be removed, or their assessment received, for your application to be deemed complete.

3. A resume/CV.

  • Describe previous experience, with a focus on previous public health exposure and interactions.

4. A Statement of Interest which shall not exceed one page in length, single-spaced, 12-point font.

  • Explain your background and interest in both this professional degree program and a career in public health

5. Proof of English Proficiency if your first language is not English.

  • If English is not your first language, you must satisfy minimum requirements for proficiency in the use of the English language by achieving a satisfactory score in one of the approved English tests. An original certificate, dated within the two calendar years immediately preceding the start date of the program you are applying to, and attesting to a satisfactory level of success in one of these evaluations, must accompany the application. For more information on the acceptable tests and their respective acceptable scores, please visit the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website for English Language Proficiency.
  • If English is not your first language but you have completed a degree at an institution in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, or Australia and would like to be considered to have this requirement waived, you must upload a letter requesting this waiver and provide the reasoning. 

Contact Us

Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinators at mphprogram@uoguelph.ca if you have specific inquiries about the MPH or GDip program design, course offerings, practicum placements, or your fit for the program. 

Please contact the Graduate Program Assistants at ovc.mph@uoguelph.ca for general information about the MPH or GDip programs, eligibility requirements, and assistance with preparing your application.