IX. Graduate Programs
Public Health
MPH Program
The objective of the MPH program is to prepare students for careers in public health. The curriculum is based on the core competencies for public health in Canada. Required courses will prepare students in all aspects of public health practice. Additional elective courses will provide students with the opportunity to develop added strength in specific areas, namely epidemiology, environmental public health, infectious disease, and zoonotic, foodborne, and water-borne diseases. Courses will incorporate case-based material and community-engaged exercises to provide students with the opportunity to use a variety of problem-solving and communication skills. Further information can be found at the MPH program website. http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/mph/
Admission Requirements
Eligible applicants include those with an honours BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences or Public Health, or those with a DVM, BScN or MD professional degrees (or their equivalent). Students with an honours degree without a biological or health focus will be required to complete the distance education BSc course PATH*3610 Principles of Disease by the conclusion of the first semester of their degree program. 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). All applicants should submit a one-page statement of interest and career goals in public health. Students will be admitted into the Fall semester. Additional information can be found at: https://ovc.uoguelph.ca/mph/prospective-students
Degree Requirements
The MPH program at the Ontario Veterinary College will typically consist of five consecutive semesters of full-time study. Full-time students will take three semester-length courses for four semesters (total 12 courses), the Public Health Capstone course and a 12 to 16-week practicum in a public health practice setting. Students will begin their program in September. Students can complete the program in four semesters if they choose by adding one additional elective to their course load during each of the Fall and Winter first-year and Fall second-year semesters (four courses per academic semester).
Students will complete at least six (0.50 credit) courses before they begin their practicum placement. The practicum will provide an opportunity to add function to the knowledge base achieved during the didactic portion of the program. A poster and public presentation developed from data gathered during the practicum will illustrate the cumulative experience during the Public Health Capstone course. This is a residency program as core courses and many electives are not offered through distance education. Students may enroll part-time while they continue to work in their public health or regulatory careers. Part-time students will normally take one or two courses per semester. Please note that since this is a non-thesis based degree, applicants are not required to obtain an advisor prior to applying. One will be assigned once students have been admitted into the program.