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Community Health Sciences (PhD)

The Community Health Sciences (PhD) program prepares you for a career teaching community health sciences, training other researchers, designing and executing major research projects and serving as a senior advisor or consultant in health care policy and planning. Gain broad multidisciplinary training in the concepts and methods of population-based health sciences and their application in the practice of population and public health and preventative medicine.

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    Faculty

    • Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Doctor of Philosophy

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 4 years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Full-time and part-time

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Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing

The Department of Community Health Sciences maintains a close relationship with Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. Ongomiizwin supports the department in the development of its undergraduate and graduate teaching programs to enhance the incorporation of Indigenous health.

Access both internationally regarded researchers and award winning teachers.

 

In 1987, the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (SPM) and the Division of Community and Northern Medicine (CNM) merged to form the Department of Community Health Sciences. Merging these two units and combining their interests and activities, created a well-rounded, innovative department with a national reputation for excellence in teaching, research and service.

The Department of Community Health Sciences aims to create, preserve and communicate knowledge with respect to the health of populations and thereby contribute to the physical, psychological, cultural, social and economic well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.

Internationally recognized research programs

Units, programs and Centres within the department focus on particular areas of research and service, including the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and the Centre for Global Public Health.

Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing

The Department of Community Health Sciences maintains a close relationship with Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. Ongomiizwin supports the department in the development of its undergraduate and graduate teaching programs to enhance the incorporation of Indigenous health.

Access both internationally regarded researchers and award winning teachers.

 

In 1987, the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (SPM) and the Division of Community and Northern Medicine (CNM) merged to form the Department of Community Health Sciences. Merging these two units and combining their interests and activities, created a well-rounded, innovative department with a national reputation for excellence in teaching, research and service.

The Department of Community Health Sciences aims to create, preserve and communicate knowledge with respect to the health of populations and thereby contribute to the physical, psychological, cultural, social and economic well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.

Indigenous man dancing.
Dr. Brian Postl with a family.
East Indian woman holding a child.
Indigenous man dancing.
Dr. Brian Postl with a family.

Program details

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences offer a four-year program of study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences.

Expected duration: 4 years

Tuition and fees: Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees.)

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must complete:

  • A minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework at the 7000-level
  • A thesis

Sample course offerings

  • CHSC 7200: Current Concepts in Global Health: Populations, Policies and Programs
  • CHSC 7212: Critical Perspectives on Gender and Health
  • CHSC 7270: Epidemiology of Chronic (Non-Cancer) Diseases
  • CHSC 7320: Organization and Financing of the Canadian Health Care System
  • CHSC 7510: Problem Solving in Public Health
  • CHSC 7520: Principles of Epidemiology
  • CHSC 7710: Social Aspects of Aging
  • CHSC 7860: Methods and Concepts for Community Health Sciences

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Community Health Sciences (PhD) program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To be considered for admission, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Educational Background:
    • One of the following degrees:
      • Thesis-based master’s degree in Community Health Sciences or Public Health with content equivalent to that offered by the department.
      • Thesis-based master’s degree in Basic Medical Sciences, Biological Sciences, or Social Sciences.
      • Thesis-based professional master’s degree, such as Nursing, Education, or Social Work.
  2. English Language Proficiency:
    • IELTS: Overall score of at least 7, with no component below 7 (listening, reading, writing, speaking).
    • TOEFL (iBT): Minimum total score of 92, with a writing score no lower than 21.
    • If you do not meet these writing score requirements, you can complete the Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) before starting the PhD program.

Note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. All applicants must also meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

How to apply

Application Deadlines: This program accepts applications for Fall entry only.

Application Components:

  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Unofficial Copies of Transcripts and Degree Certificates.
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resumé.
  • Letters of Recommendation:
    • Three letters required (must be requested within the application).
    • If your Community Health Sciences (MSc) Supervisor has agreed to supervise your PhD program, only two letters are required.
  • Supervisor Support Letter.
  • Publication or Writing Sample.
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if required

Note: For the most up-to-date information on the program, consult the Academic Calendar. Please review the Faculty of Graduate Studies' online application instructions before beginning your application.

Application deadline

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis. The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian, US and International applicants

TermAnnual application deadline
Fall (September)January 10

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

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Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Department of Community Health Sciences
Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
S111, Medical Services Building, 750 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada

chsinfo@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-789-3655