Masters in Public Health in Canada – Universities, Fees & Scope

Post Covid-19, we have repeatedly heard the term public health. While this is neither a newly-coined word, nor a new study stream, it has been brought back into focus post pandemic. To define it, public health is the science behind disease prevention and spread through organized efforts of the society. It is an exciting domain if you want to make some visible impact to the welfare of the society. And a master’s in public health in Canada can be a good option to pursue such an opportunity. The prospects of  a master’s in public health in Canada  are lucrative, with an average salary of CAD 68,000 (INR 38.94 lakh) per annum, as per payscale.

Why Study Master’s in Public Health in Canada?

Doing an Master’s in Public Health in Canada is beneficial for various reasons: 

• Canada is home to the highest-ranked universities and institutions worldwide for public health courses in Canada. 

• Demand has gone up for skilled graduates across many public health jobs in Canada and other private entities. 

• The healthcare boom in the country has enabled excellent growth prospects for international aspirants. 

Details you need to know about the course

This graduate program is for professionals working in the field of public health, as most universities give preference to those with work experience. However, freshers with relevant undergraduate degrees can also pursue this program. Also, you enroll in a thesis-based or course-based program while applying to the respective university for MPH. Some aspirants may also be confused between an MSc in Public Health and a Master in Public Health.

Generally, the MSc degree is more research-based with a thesis component, while MPH does not have a thesis component. Also, MPH is a huge field with several specializations. To opt for some of the specialisations, aspirants must have a background in statistics and quantitative. 

Some of the specializations offered under master’s in public health in Canada include-

• Epidemiology
• Family and Community Medicine
• Indigenous Health (Note: This program begins is the Summer session)
• Nutrition and Dietetics ​
• Occupational and Environmental Health
• Social and Behavioural Health Sciences
• Infectious Disease
• Biostatistics

Basic Eligibility Criteria to Pursue MPH in Canada :  

• 10+2+4 years of education and an undergraduate degree in science with a minimum of 75%. 
• Educational background in statistics, mathematics, computer science and related fields. 
• GRE test scores, with a good score in the Quantitative section.
• Proof of study certificate or experience for those with a one-year gap or more.

Top Universities for MPH in Canada

Before checking out the costliest or cheapest MPH in Canada courses, you should look at the highest-ranked universities for the subject. 

Some other top-ranked universities that you can consider for MPH in Canada-

• McGill University
• University of Montrea
• University of Calgary
• Dalhousie University
• Laval University

Cost of studying Masters in Public Health in Canada

The average master’s in public health in Canada tuition fees ranges between CAD 8,000-50,349 annually depending on the university and program offering. Apart from tuition, students will also have to incur living expenses, which will vary city to city. Here is a cost of living break-up provided by University of Alberta in the city of Edmonton, where it is located.

Requirements for Admission

The admission procedure involves applying to leading Canadian universities well before their application deadlines. Here’s taking a closer look at the same:  

Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Public Health in Canada:  

• 10+2+4 years of education and an undergraduate degree in science with a minimum of 75%. 

• Educational background in statistics, mathematics, computer science and related fields. 

• GRE test scores, with a good score in the Quantitative section.

• Proof of study certificate or experience for those with a one-year gap or more.

Documents Required: 

• Official academic transcripts and mark sheets. 

• Personal Statement. 

• Updated Resume/CV. 

• Two-three references. 

• GRE scores. 

• IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores. 

Know more about: Statement of Purpose Format | SOP for Canada

Job Prospects after MS in Public Health in Canada

The average master’s in public health in Canada salary stand at roughly CAD 66,000 (INR 38.94 lakhs approximately) per year with experience. The MPH salary in Canada is handsome for job roles like healthcare managers, healthcare administrators, public health nurses, biostatisticians, epidemiologists and more. Candidates can also take up job roles as health informatics specialists, healthcare consultants, public health educators, and health and safety engineers. Career prospects are excellent for skilled MPH professionals, especially in terms of future advancement and salary growth. 

Visa Procedure

• Applying at universities and obtaining acceptance letters. 

• Check the student visa criteria. 

• Apply with all supporting documents. 

• Appear for the personal interview. 

You will need documents like your valid passport, proof of funds, a letter of invitation from relatives if you wish to stay with them in Canada, and academic transcripts and GRE scores. You will also have to provide English language proficiency test scores. 

Available Scholarships for Master’s in Public Health in Canada 

There are many scholarship options for international aspirants. They include: 

McCall McBain Scholarship: Around 10 international students are selected for the award, which includes a monetary benefit of CAD 20,000. 

Ontario Graduate Scholarship: Those pursuing the course from the University of Toronto, and other reputed Canadian universities like McMaster University are eligible to apply. The award money is CAD 4,000 for a year. 

• Isabel Loucks Foster Public Health Bursary- This covers all universities in Canada that provide MPH programs. Students enrolled in full-time courses are eligible for the same. 

• SGES (Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship) at Simon Fraser University for students admitted to MPH courses. 

Disclaimer: The values provided on this site are for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official university or organization website.

Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.