Health Sciences - Public Health specialization (MSc)

Program Overview

The MSc Health Sciences - Public Health Specialization program at the University of Lethbridge equips students with advanced skills for careers in public health, including program management, evaluation, infectious disease control, and policy analysis. The program emphasizes research, data analysis, program development, and advocacy for health equity and social justice. Graduates are prepared for roles in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector, as well as for further education in public health or related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The MSc Health Sciences - Public Health Specialization program at the University of Lethbridge is designed to equip students with advanced skills for competitive entry into the public health workforce. The program prepares graduates for roles such as program managers, program evaluators, infectious disease control analysts, and policy analysts. It also provides a solid foundation for pursuing a health-related Ph.D.

Objectives:

The program aims to provide students with:

• A comprehensive understanding of public health principles and practices
• The ability to conduct rigorous research and analyze data
• The skills to develop, implement, and evaluate public health programs
• The knowledge and expertise to advocate for health equity and social justice

Program Description:

Year One: Coursework

Required Courses:

• PUBH 5000 – Applied Public Health Research Methods
• PUBH 5001 – Biostatistics I
• PUBH 5002 – Advanced Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
• PUBH 5003 – Advanced Epidemiology

Elective Courses:

• PUBH 5004 – Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research
• PUBH 5005 – Advanced Public Health Policy and Ethics
• PUBH 5006 – Applied Infectious Diseases
• PUBH 5500 – Biostatistics II
• PUBH 5501 – Advanced Public Health Practicum
• HMGT 5430 – Health Systems with a Global Perspective
• WRITING 5850 – Essentials for Scholarly Communication

Graduate Practicum:

Students can integrate their academic studies with a graduate public health practicum, which provides hands-on experience in a specific area of public health, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, infectious disease control, program evaluation, policy analysis, environmental health, or health promotion.

Year Two: Thesis Research

In Year Two, students complete an MSc thesis under the supervision of a faculty member in Public Health. The thesis involves conducting original research and writing a comprehensive report.

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for careers in various public health settings, including:

• Government agencies (e.g., Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial health ministries)
• Non-profit organizations (e.g., health promotion agencies, research institutions)
• Private sector (e.g., pharmaceutical companies, consulting firms)
Graduates may also pursue further education, such as a Ph.D. in public health or a related field.