FAQs

Admission for Fall

View graduate program application deadlines

Admission to our graduate programs is highly competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The mean grade point average (GPA) of all applicants accepted to the MPH, MSc and PhD programs is 3.7.

GPA is not the only criterion for admission. Applicants are evaluated based on a number of criteria, including academic performance (GPA and academic awards), quality of the statement of intent, reference letters and professional experience. A clear and relevant statement of intent and substantial relevant experience in the field of public health will strengthen your chances of admission, particularly to the MPH program. Experience can include professional work, volunteer work or educational history.

Admission to thesis based degrees (MSc and PhD) will depend on establishing a match with a supervisor.

Graduate programs are interdisciplinary in nature. We encourage applicants with prior degrees in social and physical sciences, as well as interdisciplinary degrees. We also have had students with backgrounds in a variety of health sciences.

All new students are expected to participate in SPH 101, an online pre-orientation session through Canvas, and are expected to attend the on-campus orientation.

The tuition charges depend on whether you are a course-based (MPH) or thesis-based (MSc and PhD) student. As a course-based student, fees are based on the number of credit courses you take per term and whether you are a Canadian resident or international student. As a thesis-based student, fees are based on whether you are a full-time or part-time and whether you are a Canadian resident or international student. A good place to start calculating what your education might cost is Tuition and Fees.

There are many options to explore, and detailed information is available on scholarships administered through Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, School of Public Health and the University of Alberta administered awards. To be eligible to apply to these awards, you must be an admitted student into the program.

Scholarships, Awards and Assistance

There are several ways to learn about employment opportunities in public health. In a recent survey, we asked our graduates what they're their careers in public health.

Careers in Public Health

Students in the master of public health (MPH) and the Master in Community Engagement (MACE) course-based programs are appointed an academic advisor. Those in the master of science (MSc), master of art in community engagement (MACE) thesis-based and doctor of philosophy (PhD) programs are supervised by their thesis
supervisors.