Last updated: March 28, 2024 @ 01:58PM
Public Health
Master of Public Health
Dean
Peter Tiidus
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies
Deborah O'Leary
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Graduate Program Director
Brent E. Faught
Core Faculty
Professors Emeriti
John Hay, Martin Tammemagi
Professors
Brent E. Faught, William Pickett
Associate Professors
Madelyn Law, Adam MacNeil, Miya Narushima
Assistant Professors
Samantha Hajna, Asif Khowaja, Valerie Michaelson, Mostafa Shokoohi, Michelle Vine
Adjunct Faculty
Sinead McElhone (Niagara College), Antony Chum (York University)
Participating Faculty
Adekunle Ajiboye (Aajimatics), Melissa K. Blair (Urban Matters), Kate Harold (Niagara Region Public Health), Divya Joshi (McMaster University), Sandra Vamos
Graduate Program Coordinator
Izabella Ludwa
mph@brocku.ca
905-688-5550, extension 4024
South Block 328
Program Description
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to meet the needs of public health professionals, health practitioners and recent post-graduate students with the goal of enhancing theoretical and applied knowledge through course work and a practicum experience. The MPH courses complement the core competencies outlined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, leading to a professional degree in public health.
Delivered in an exclusively online format, a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning techniques will be used to guide instruction and evaluate learning. The curriculum focuses on identifying the interdisciplinary elements required to design, implement, and effectively manage public health systems. Research methods and analytical training essential to public health will provide a foundation in the conduct of research that will enhance evidence-based decision making. The program addresses the growing need to anticipate, manage and mitigate public health crises.
Graduates of the MPH will be prepared to compete for positions in a variety of public health organizations as well as leadership roles in the health sector.
Master of Public Health & Accelerated Master of Business Administration Consecutive Degrees Pathway
The Department of Health Sciences and the Goodman School of Business offer a consecutive degrees pathway
leading to both Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five terms. This
online or hybrid MPH and MBA (MPH-MBA) consecutive degrees pathway is designed for private and public
health professionals, health practitioners and recent post-graduate students who intend to pursue a professional
career in public health management and administration. The goal of the MPH-MBA is to advance theoretical and
applied knowledge through course work and a health experiential practicum.
The MPH program complements the core competencies outlined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, leading to
a professional degree in public health. At the same time, the MBA program is designed to provide individuals the
opportunity to obtain an advanced professional business education. This program offers students a progressive
management education, including advanced knowledge relating to professional business designations. Together, the
MPH-MBA addresses the growing need to anticipate, manage and mitigate health crises. The curriculum focuses on
identifying the interdisciplinary elements required to design, implement, and effectively manage health systems,
while incorporating evidence-based decision-making practices in public health and healthcare. Graduates of the
MPH-MBA will be prepared to compete for positions in a variety of private and public health and business
organizations as well as leadership roles in the health sector.
Master of Public Health (MPH) & Accelerated Master of Education (MEd) Consecutive Degrees Pathway
The Department of Health Sciences and the Department of Educational Studies offer an exclusively online
consecutive degree pathway leading to both a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Education (MEd)
degree within two years. The MPH-MEd consecutive degrees pathway is designed for private and public health
professionals, health practitioners and recent post-graduate students who intend to pursue a professional career in
health professions education.
The MPH program complements the core competencies outlined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, leading to
a professional degree in public health. The MEd program is designed to provide individuals the opportunity to
obtain an advanced professional education degree. The combined degrees’ curriculum is complementary and focuses
on identifying the interdisciplinary elements required to design, implement, and effectively manage health systems,
while incorporating the curriculum development and pedagogical skills necessary to effectively educate stakeholders
about public health initiatives. The MPH-MEd is designed to prepare qualified educators, researchers, developers,
and practitioners who can advance the practice of teaching, learning and leadership in the health professions sector.
Graduates of the MPH-MEd could be interested in conducting health education research and working for community
or government agencies, public/private schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, research institutes, professional
health education organizations, and non-profit health and education sector organizations.
Admission Requirements
Master of Public Health
Successful completion of a four-year Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, from an accredited university in Public Health, Health Sciences, Medical Sciences, Pure Sciences, Social Sciences or a relevant health field, with an average of no less than 80% (A-) in the last two years of study. Students with a Bachelor's degree in related fields of business, mathematics and pure sciences may also be eligible, although additional course work may be required. Applicants must have undergraduate preparation and a knowledge-based proficiency in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and have relevant work and/or volunteer experiences in a Public Health organization. Additional prepratory courses in biostatistics (MPHA 6P01) and/or population epidemiology (MPHA 6P02) may be required as part of a conditional offer of admission for applicants with insufficient proficiency of these public health core sciences.
The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of candidates. Successful applicants to the MPH program will complete the degree exclusively online. This program is offered on a full-time (12 months), as well as part-time (maximum 4 years) basis. Students who have completed courses equivalent to those in the MPH as part of a graduate Canadian or U.S. degree (within the last seven years) may be granted advanced standing, up to a maximum of four half-credit courses, subject to performance. Advanced standing can be assessed during the application review process.
Master of Public Health & Master of Business Administration Consecutive Degrees Pathway
Students interested in pursuing the accelerated MBA pathway (8 months or 12 months with coop) after completion of their MPH degree should consult the MBA Admission requirements page at brocku.ca/webcal/2024/graduate/busi.html for details on courses required for advanced standing consideration.
Master of Public Health & Master of Education Consecutive Degrees Pathway
Students interested in pursuing the accelerated MEd pathway after completion of their MPH degree should consult the MEd Admission requirements page at brocku.ca/webcal/2024/graduate/educ.html for details on courses required for advanced standing consideration.
Degree Requirements
Master of Public Health
Basic degree requirements include the successful completion of twelve (12) half-credit courses, eight (8) required and four (4) elective half-credit courses.
Required Courses:
MPHA 5P01 Quality Health Systems Through Collaboration and Partnership
MPHA 5P02 Qualitative Research: Interviewing and Beyond
MPHA 5P03 Epidemiology
MPHA 5P04 Critical Foundations of Public Health
MPHA 5P05 Biostatistics in Public Health
MPHA 5P06 Policy and Practice: Critical Evaluation and Synthesis in Program Planning
MPHA 5P11 Public Health Practicum I
MPHA 5P21 Public Health Practicum II
Full and part-time students must register for MPHA 5P06 in their final year of study, as a capstone course. Students must complete two (2) public health practicum courses (MPHA 5P11, MPHA 5P21) in conjunction with or preceding MPHA 5P06 to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired during course work of MPHA 5P06 with the learning experiences gained through their public health practicum.
Select four (4) half-credit elective courses below:
MPHA 5P07 Microbiology in Infection Prevention and Control
MPHA 5P08 Public Health Emergency Preparedness
MPHA 5P09 Measuring Health Equity
MPHA 5P10 Social Marketing and Health Communication
MPHA 5P12 Environmental and Occupational Health
MPHA 5P13 Economic Evaluation in Public Health
MPHA 5P14 Leading Change in Public Health
MPHA 5P15 eHealth Innovations and Trends
MPHA 5P16 Colonization, Reconciliation and Indigenous Health
MPHA 5P17 Artificial Intelligence: Theory and Managerial Application
MPHA 5P18 Foundations of Program Evaluation in Public Health
MPHA 5P19 Health Data Governance
MPHA 5P27 Foundations in Infection Control
MPHA 5P29 Health Information Systems and Technology
MPHA 5P37 Healthcare Quality, Safety and Risk
MPHA 5P39 Health Information Management and Analytics in Practice
MPHA 5P99 Public Health Independent Project
Master of Public Health Specializations
Students apply into a general MPH program and can register for any course offered in the program. Additionally, two specializations are offered within the MPH program including Health Information Management (HIM) and
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC). Students must complete core HIM or IPAC courses to be eligible for a specialized designation on their transcripts.
Health Information Management
The HIM specialization ensures that our graduates can transform data into valuable information that will impact the
quality of prevention and care across Canada. Students that complete the HIM specialization will be eligible to challenge the Canadian Health Information Management Association national board exam. Those interested in the HIM specialization must successfully complete three core courses and are encouraged to complete their two required practicum courses (MPHA 5P11 and 5P21) with an emphasis on health information management.
Required Courses:
MPHA 5P01, 5P02, 5P03, 5P04, 5P05, 5P06, 5P11, 5P19, 5P21, 5P29, and 5P39
Select one (1) half-credit elective courses listed below:
MPHA 5P07, 5P08, 5P09, 5P10, 5P12, 5P13, 5P14, 5P15, 5P16, 5P17, 5P18, 5P27, 5P37, 5P99
Infection Prevention and Control
The advent of an IPAC specialization nested within the MPH program will provide training for students with the technical expertise and leadership to keep Canada’s public safe. Students with an IPAC specialization will be prepared to sit the national examination set by the Certification Board of Infection Control and supported by IPAC Canada. Those interested in the IPAC specialization must successfully complete three core courses and are encouraged to complete their two required practicum courses (MPHA 5P11 and 5P21) with an emphasis on health information management.
Required Courses:
MPHA 5P01, 5P02, 5P03, 5P04, 5P05, 5P06, 5P07, 5P11, 5P21, 5P27, and 5P37
Select one (1) half-credit elective courses listed below:
MPHA 5P08, 5P09, 5P10, 5P12, 5P13, 5P14, 5P15, 5P16, 5P17, 5P18, 5P19, 5P29, 5P39, 5P99
Master of Public Health & Master of Business Administration Consecutive Degrees Pathway
Students interested in pursuing the MPH-MBA consecutive degrees pathway shall meet the basic degree requirements including the successful completion of 12 MPH half-credit courses, which include 11 required and one (1) elective half-credit courses. Students should consult MBA course requirements here for details regarding advanced standing consideration. Also, see Program Note #7.
Required Courses:
MPHA 5P01, 5P02, 5P03, 5P04, 5P05, 5P06, 5P10, 5P11, 5P13, 5P14 and 5P21
Select one (1) half-credit elective courses listed below:
MPHA 5P07, 5P08, 5P09, 5P12, 5P15, 5P16, 5P17, 5P18, 5P19, 5P27, 5P29, 5P37, 5P39, 5P99
Master of Public Health & Master of Education Consecutive Degrees Pathway
Students interested in pursuing the MPH-MEd consecutive degrees pathway shall meet the basic degree requirements including the successful completion of 12 MPH half-credit courses, which include nine (9) required and three (3) elective half-credit courses. Students should consult MEd course requirements here for details regarding advanced standing consideration. Also, see Program Note #7.
Required Courses:
MPHA 5P01, 5P02, 5P03, 5P04, 5P05, 5P06, 5P11, 5P14 and 5P21
Select three (3) half-credit elective courses listed below:
MPHA 5P07, 5P08, 5P09, 5P10, 5P12, 5P13, 5P15, 5P16, 5P17, 5P18, 5P19, 5P27, 5P29, 5P37, 5P39, 5P99
Program Notes:
1. Failure to succeed in the practicum course MPHA 5P11 and/or MPHA 5P21 may result in dismissal from the program.
2. Students must successfully complete MPHA 5P11 prior to completing MPHA 5P21.
3. Students may require current Standard First Aid and CPR (BCLS or Level C) certification that is in accordance with and approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) when completing their practicum. The certification must be valid during the duration of study.
4. Proof of immunizations may be required prior to commencement of the practicum course. Immunization screening required for: Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Hepatitis B; Tuberculosis; Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis.
5. Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) may be required by practicum agencies. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the process is complete - at their own expense. In some cases, students may not be allowed to attend practicum if these requirements are not met.
6. All program costs associated with required documentation or equipment are the sole responsibility of the student. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the process is complete prior to commencement of the program.
7. Students planning to pursue either the MPH-MBA or MPH-MEd consecutive degrees pathway may apply for consideration to the MBA or MEd program prior to completion of the MPH program. However, students may
not pursue two degrees concurrently. Both the MBA and MEd admission requirements will still need to be met and the applicants will be considered for admission.
8. Students planning to pursue the MPH to accelerated MEd pathway must take MPHA 5P01, MPHA 5P06, MPHA 5P14 and one 0.5 credit elective from MPHA 5P07, 5P08, 5P09, 5P10, 5P12, 5P13, 5P15, 5P16, 5P17, 5P18, 5P19, 5P27, 5P29, 5P37, 5P39, 5P99 in order to be considered for full advanced standing recognition in applying to the MEd.
9. Students planning to pursue the MPH to accelerated MBA or MEd pathway may apply for consideration to the MBA or MEd program prior to completion of the MPH program, however, students may not pursue two degrees concurrently. Both the MBA and MEd admission requirements will still need to be met and the applicants will be considered for admission along with all other MBA and MEd applicants.
Graduate Micro Programs
Program Overview
Our Graduate Micro-Programs (GMPs) are tailored to those interested in gaining graduate-level expertise in the health sector. Specifically, GMPs target public health practitioners as well as healthcare providers working in hospitals or long-term care facilities across Canada at the regional, provincial, and national level. Our GMPs specialize in Health Information Management (HIM) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC). For a GMP to be noted on an academic transcript, students must successfully complete all required courses with a minimum grade of at least 70%.
Following successful completion of a GMP and with permission from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and the Master of Public Health Graduate Program Committee, students may apply to transfer the credits earned toward the MPH degree.
Admission Requirements
Applications will be considered from those with a variety of experiences and qualifications who demonstrate an ability and aptitude to succeed in graduate-level study. While the standard admissions criteria for graduate studies applies (a four-year degree with a minimum 75% average over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study), applicants who do not meet the university’s minimum academic requirements may be considered if they can demonstrate equivalent competencies. Equivalent competencies including additional education coupled with significant and related professional experience (usually 5+ years), and/or substantial and relevant learning and skills development. Interested applicants should submit transcripts, curriculum vitae, reference letters and a letter of intent with their application.
Program Requirements
Graduate Micro-Program in Health Information Management
The Graduate Micro-Program in HIM will focus on educating students on the governmental systems and application of the practice of analyzing, protecting, and managing complex digital and traditional public health and health care information. The Graduate Micro-Program in HIM is comprised of three (3) half-credit online courses scheduled over three terms.
- Required courses: MPHA 5P19, 5P29, and 5P39.
Graduate Micro-Program in Infection Prevention and Control
The Graduate Micro-Program in IPAC will center on training students on the theory and application of evidencebased practices and procedures that reduce or prevent the risk of microorganisms transmission to public health and health care settings, specifically hospital and long-term care facilities. The Graduate Micro-Program in IPAC is comprised of three (3) half-credit online courses scheduled over three terms.
- Required course: MPHA 5P07, 5P27, and 5P37.
Course Descriptions
Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details. Students must ensure that prerequisites are met.
Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
PUBLIC HEALTH COURSES
MPHA 5P01
Quality Health Systems through Collaboration and Partnership
Critical evaluation of factors that contribute to high performing public health systems through the lens of collaboration and partnerships.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P02
Qualitative Research: Interviewing and Beyond
Philosophical, epistemological foundations, and practical knowledge and skills of the range of approaches and methods of qualitative inquiry useful for needs assessment, program evaluation, knowledge translation, and advocacy in public health practice.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P03
Epidemiology
Fundamental principles of epidemiology, including correct posing of study questions, study designs, measurements issues, study implementation, data collection and analyses, and concepts of validity, bias, confounding and correct interpretation of analyses and study results.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P04
Foundations of Public Health
Foundations of public health, including history, core principles, philosophy, and the social and political forces that influence population health.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P05
Biostatistics in Public Health
Statistical principles and their applications in public health with emphasis on advanced understanding of multivariate analysis and practical skills in statistical programming.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P06
Policy and Practice: Critical Evaluation and Synthesis in Program Planning
Examination of the interface between theory, policy, and practice in public health. Students will identify an area within public health central to their interests, establish an understanding of the evidence driving both policy and practice, and demonstrate an awareness of the gaps in the interface. This is a self-directed course, based on adult-learning principles.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
Note: This course is the capstone course and is completed as the final course in the MPH program.
MPHA 5P07
Microbiology in Infection Prevention and Control
Medical microbiology and its relevance to the core competencies of infection prevention and control (IPAC). The science of epidemiologically significant microorganisms and how to identify, assess, and respond to diverse microorganisms in healthcare environments.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P08
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Role of the public health system before, during, and after public health emergencies and disasters. The course is built upon and reinforces the public health competencies required and explores the phases of emergency management including: preparedness; response; recovery; prevention/mitigation of both man-made and natural emergencies from domestic to around the world using a health literacy lens.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P09
Measuring Health Equity
Examination of the definition of health equity and a critical discussion of the differences between equity, inequality and social determinants of health. The identification and appraisal of indicators/metrics to monitor and measure inequity from a local, national, and global perspective.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P10
Social Marketing and Health Communication
Strategic marketing principles and communication techniques used to influence behavior change to solve social problems within a public health context. Students will be introduced to social marketing theory and practice by: exploring theories of behaviour change; applying techniques such as segmentation, branding and marketing mix; and assessing the planning tools required to develop and implement a social marketing strategy including digital and social marketing.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P12
Environmental and Occupational Health
Workplace and ecological stressors and processes that increase public health risk, and how these mechanisms influence occupational and environmental health.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P13
Economic Evaluation in Public Health
Health economics theory, methods, and application of economic modeling for analyzing decisions made by individuals, health professionals and local/global governments with respect to public health and the allocation of resources for health promotion, prevention, and maintenance.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P14
Leading Change in Public Health
Foundational theories and concepts from management science with an emphasis on leadership and change management as it applies to the public health sector.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P15
eHealth Innovations and Trends
Critical issues related to eHealth, including drivers of innovation, developing trends, notable successes and failures. Review and discussion of potential improvements to eHealth as a positive force for change in public health.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P16
Colonization, Reconciliation, and Indigenous Health
Examination of the severity and complexity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis health issues in Canada. Historical and present impacts of colonization, the resiliency of Indigenous communities and the importance of Traditional Knowledge as a resource for health and well-being.
Restriction: Only open to MPH and MAG majors.
MPHA 5P17
Artificial Intelligence: Theory and Managerial Application
Fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Systems and their applications in Public Health and Enterprise-Level decision-making functions. Studies of applied industrial-scale AI and ML tools and models in specific Public Health and Enterprise settings. Use of R and Python programming platforms along with related statistical precepts for data manipulation and management for key machine learning tasks and applications involving classification, prediction and learning.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors
MPHA 5P18
Foundations of Program Evaluation in Public Health
Approaches to intervention evaluation in public health, including the practical skills and knowledge of principles and methods of program evaluation utilized in public health practice, including theory of change, core competencies of evaluation in Canada, and knowledge translation.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
MPHA 5P19
Health Data Governance
Health privacy laws in Canada and information governance. Documentation and coding standards, as well as classification systems. Data quality maintenance and risk management will also be discussed.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors
MPHA 5P27
Foundations in Infection Control
Core concepts of infection prevention and control (IPAC) to facilitate the development of knowledge and skills for managing the prevention and control of infections and disease in various healthcare and public health settings.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors
MPHA 5P29
Health Information Systems and Technology
Health care information systems and the management of health records. Processes involved in the flow of health information with an emphasis on data access, privacy, confidentiality, security, and sharing. The impact of new technology on health data privacy.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors
MPHA 5P37
Healthcare Quality, Safety and Risk
This course is designed to equip students with core concepts and strategies to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of infection prevention and control (IPAC) programs in various healthcare and public health settings.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors
MPHA 5P39
Health Information Management and Analytics in Practice
Summarizing large datasets efficiently and effectively in order to highlight system performance, address health system challenges, and inform evidence-based decision making. Data visualization presentation for health system planners and health policy makers.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors
MPHA 6P01
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction of statistical principles and techniques. Issues concerning the construction, administration and evaluation of data collection as well as the processing and analysis of data.
Restriction: Only open to MPH applicants with conditional offer of admission or permission from the MPH program committee.
MPHA 6P02
Introduction to Population Epidemiology
Overview of descriptive and analytical epidemiology. Main elements of study design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiological research are introduced.
Restriction: Only open to MPH applicants with conditional offer of admission or permission from the MPH program committee.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING COURSES
MPHA 5P11
Public Health Practicum I
Public health practicum search, personal vocation development, practicum approval, and planning of a health research or professional development project in collaboration with a provincial, national, or international health sector organization.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
Note: Must be taken in conjunction with or preceding MPHA 5P06.
MPHA 5P21
Public Health Practicum II
Public health practicum planning, mind mapping, reflective evaluation, and compilation of a health research or professional development project in collaboration with a provincial, national, or international health sector organization.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.
Prerequisite(s): MPHA 5P11
Note: Must be taken in conjunction with or preceding MPHA 5P06.
MPHA 5P99
Public Health Independent Project
Independent project (which may include an academic- or community-based experiential learning and/or research project) designed and collaborated in consultation with a MPH faculty supervisor.
Restriction: Only open to MPH majors.