Entrance Requirements
The School of Public Health values and seeks to recruit Indigenous students and students of diverse racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, ability/disability, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds and experiences. Please refer to the University of Alberta’s Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.
Indigenous applicants who meet the Definition of Indigenous People for the Purpose of Admission are encouraged to self-identify and submit Proof of Aboriginal Identity. Please refer to the Definition of Indigenous People for the Purpose of Admission .
The Admissions Committee will review applications from prospective Indigenous students to determine if special considerations are warranted when the AGPA falls below the minimum required 3.0, but where letters of reference and professional, volunteer, community and/or prior research experience are particularly strong. This consideration is in accordance with the University of Alberta’s Strategic plan: Objective 1, strategy ii; Objective 3, strategy ii.
Master’s Degrees (MPH, MSc, MACE)
The minimum admission requirements for the master’s degrees are those set out by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research:
- A baccalaureate degree, or its academic equivalent, in a relevant field from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, and
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 on the 4.0-point scale over the last 60 units of graded coursework completed.
Relevant work or volunteer experience is helpful, such as involvement in activities or studying/working/volunteering in a governmental or non-governmental organization in Canada or internationally with a health or community engagement focus. Please refer to the School of Public Health for additional guidance on applications.
Doctoral Degrees (PhD)
The minimum admission requirements for the doctoral degrees are higher than set out as acceptable standards by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research:
- A master’s (thesis- or course-based) degree, or its academic equivalent, in a relevant field from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, and
- A grade point average of at least 3.4 on the 4 point scale over the last 60 units of graded coursework completed.
Demonstrated high-level research aptitude and competence in the application of the applicant’s discipline to research is helpful, such as previous engagement with in-depth public health research/practice, research scholarships or fellowships, and/or a research publication track record. Please refer to the School of Public Health for additional guidance on applications.
All programs are competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Other influencing factors include the School’s enrollment cap, the quality of an applicant’s letter of intent, resumé/curriculum vitae and references, and educational and career interests.
English Language Requirement
If required (see English Language Requirement ), a minimum overall score on an approved English language examination as described below:
- PTE Academic score of 61,
- A minimum acceptable TOEFL score of 92 with a score of at least 21 on each of the individual skill areas (Internet-based) or equivalent, or
- A minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 6 on each test band on the IELTS.
Alternate criteria for English Language Proficiency requirements as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research may be considered.
Applicants are also required to submit:
- A current resumé or curriculum vitae
- Letter of intent of no more than 800 words
- Three (3) letters of reference
- Academic documents
- MACE applicants only: Writing sample
Please refer to the School of Public Health for additional guidance on applications.
Canadian Indigenous History and Contemporary Context Requirement
As a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, the School of Public Health requires all incoming students to be familiar with Canadian Indigenous history and contemporary context, which are particularly relevant to public health and community engagement. Therefore, after admission but before registering in the first course of the degree, incoming students must complete preparation activities related to Canadian Indigenous history and contemporary context. This requirement can be satisfied by taking Faculty of Native Studies courses - either the two short courses or the MOOC:
- Indigenous Peoples & Canada (8-10 hours micro-credential)
- Tackling Structural Racism (8-10 hours micro-credential)
- Indigenous Canada – a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) (12-module non-credit certificate course)
A record of completion for the course(s) must be submitted to the SPH Office of Education prior to registering in the first course of the degree.
An approved credit course can also be used to fulfill this requirement. A record of completion for the course must appear on the applicant’s admission transcript. If in doubt, incoming students should confirm with the SPH Office of Education that the credit course meets the School’s requirement.
Financial Assistance
All students admitted to the School of Public Health must establish their own funding prior to their admission.
Graduate students can finance their studies at the University of Alberta in several ways. Some financial programs are administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, and others are administered by other campus offices or outside organizations.
Students in public health are eligible to compete for the general graduate awards listed at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca.
Students are urged to seek awards from other agencies, such as SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, AHFMR, etc.
Support may be available to some students from research grants held by individual staff members. The amount of support will vary with the nature of the research grant and the regulations of the granting agency.
Suspended Programs
Effective October 1, 2022, admission to the following seven (7) Master of Public Health specializations will be suspended:
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Applied Biostatistics (course-based) [Graduate]
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health (course-based) [Graduate]
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (course-based) [Graduate]
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Food Safety (course-based) [Graduate]
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Global Health (course-based) [Graduate]
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management (course-based) [Graduate]
- The Degree of Master of Public Health in Health Promotion (course-based) [Graduate]
Continuing students admitted into these specializations prior to October 1, 2022 must refer to the Calendar for the year in which they were admitted for program requirements.
Effective September 1, 2017, there will be no further admission to the following programs:
- Master of Science in Public Health in Health Technology Assessment
- Master of Science in Public Health in Occupational Health
Continuing students must refer to the Calendar under which they were admitted for their program requirements.
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