Master of Public Health (MPH)

• Health Communication (POPM*6530)
• Epidemiology I (POPM*6200)
• Introduction to Epidemiological and Statistical Methods (POPM*6520)

• Health Promotion (POPM*6510)
• Concepts in Environmental Public Health (POPM*6540)
• Public Health Policy and Systems (POPM*6550)

• Public Health Practicum (POPM*6560)

• Infectious Diseases and Public Health (PABI*6500)
• Public Health Leadership and Administration (POPM*6580)
• Public Health Capstone (POPM*6570)
• Elective

• 3 Electives

Applicants must meet the University of Guelph Admission Requirements to qualify for entry. The minimum admission requirements for MPH are:

• An honours degree with a minimum average of “B+” in the last four semesters of full-time study, or DVM/BScN/MD professional degree with a minimum overall average of “B+”
• Evidence of a strong academic record, supportive references, demonstrated motivation, and a genuine interest in public health

Applications are not pre-assess for eligibility, but applicants may calculate their admission average using the link provided. Applicants with international transcripts should refer to the International Credential Guidelines to convert grades to University of Guelph equivalents.

A secured faculty advisor is not required for entry into the MPH (one will be assigned after acceptance into the program). GRE is not required for admission.

Prospective MPH+DVM students must meet the admission requirements of both individual programs. Applicants must have previously applied to and currently be registered in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program to be considered for the MPH+DVM.

DVM students may apply to the MPH+DVM combined degree program in their third or fourth year of the DVM program. Eligible applicants who began the DVM program prior to completing an honours BSc (in Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Public Health), BScN, or MD (or their equivalent), if admitted, will receive an offer conditional upon completion of the DVM.

Candidates should have earned a B+ average in their honours BSc degree or at least a B- average in a professional degree (e.g., BScN, DVM, or MD). Additionally, applicants must complete the One Health module as part of Health Management III in Phase 3 of the DVM program. All applicants must submit a one-page statement of interest including career goals at the intersection of veterinary and public health.

Students interested in the MPH + Collaborative Specialization in International Development Studies must meet the general admissions requirements for the MPH degree. In addition, it is recommended that applicants interested in the collaborative specialization have completed:

• One undergraduate course in economics (preferably micro-economics)
• One other undergraduate course in a social science discipline (Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science or International Development)
• One course in social science research methods (qualitative or quantitative)

Students start their MPH program in the Fall. The admission deadlines are as follows.

International Applicants

• Applications due by December 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Applicants have 10 business days to upload the required application documents*
• All documents must be received by December 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EST)

Domestic Applicants

• Applications due by January 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Applicants have 10 business days to upload the required application documents*
• All documents must be received by February 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST)

*Please plan your admission to be able to meet all deadlines. Within 5 business days of completing your online application, you will receive an email with your login information and instructions on how to upload your supporting documents from the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS). It will also take up to 5 business days for referee requests to be sent. The WebAdvisor account information and the referee requests cannot be expedited. You will receive an email from our office (ovc.mph@uoguelph.ca) with full details on all required documents (including departmental requirements separate from the base University of Guelph requirements) shortly after you submit your initial application.

The additional documents to upload to WebAdvisor are:

1. Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions (including transcript/grading legends) in English.

• Official transcripts are only required if the applicant is provided with an offer of admission. You are permitted to upload unofficial copies during the application process.
• If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide translations of those documents. Translations cannot be completed by the applicant; translated documents must come from the issuing institution.
• World Education Services (WES) credential evaluations are not accepted.

2. Two letters of reference using the University of Guelph online form.

• Please use the Referee Request GryphForm (Add/Change/Delete Referee) link to make any revisions to your referees. If your referees have advised you within 2 weeks that they have still not received the link, I would recommend you suggest to them to check their junk/spam folders. If they still do not see the email with the link, I would suggest you complete the Referee Request GryphForm link above and ask that the link be sent to them once again. Please note: you need to use your University of Guelph issued email address to complete the form. If you have any questions about that form please reach out to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at gradapps@uoguelph.ca, as they are the ones who manage that form and application-related documents.
• Please note: your application will not be considered ‘complete’ until ALL requested WebAdvisor documents have been received. If you have a third referee and only need 2, your third referee will need to be removed, or their assessment received, for your application to be deemed complete.

3. A resume/CV.

• Describe previous experience, with a focus on previous public health exposure and interactions.

4. A Statement of Interest which shall not exceed one page in length, single-spaced, 12-point font.

• Explain your background and interest in both this professional degree program and a career in public health

5. Proof of English Proficiency if your first language is not English.

• If English is not your first language, you must satisfy minimum requirements for proficiency in the use of the English language by achieving a satisfactory score in one of the approved English tests. An original certificate, dated within the two calendar years immediately preceding the start date of the program you are applying to, and attesting to a satisfactory level of success in one of these evaluations, must accompany the application. For more information on the acceptable tests and their respective acceptable scores, please visit the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website for English Language Proficiency.
• If English is not your first language but you have completed a degree at an institution in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, or Australia and would like to be considered to have this requirement waived, you must upload a letter requesting this waiver and provide the reasoning.

The MPH program is offered on campus, in a classroom setting.

MPH students have been successful in being awarded various travel, research and internal OVC grants. Information regarding scholarships can be found here by visiting:

• Entrance
• In-Course
• Travel

Applicants with postsecondary degrees (undergraduate and graduate) in fields outside of the biological or health sciences (e.g., social sciences, arts, humanities or applied disciplines) are welcome to apply. However, to ensure sufficient foundational knowledge in health-related biological sciences, such applicants may be required to successfully complete an additional undergraduate course, Principles of Disease (available via distance education). During the admissions review, the MPH Admissions Committee will assess whether your previous coursework includes material related to disease processes and transmission. If this course is required, it will be listed as a condition in your offer of admission. You will need to complete it successfully before beginning the MPH program or by the end of your first semester.

Practicum placements may be paid or unpaid, depending on the organization at which a student completes their placement. Students who complete an unpaid practicum may be eligible for a bursary.

Students have completed practicum placements in a variety of local, provincial, federal and international organizations. This has included placements at local public health units, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Princess Margaret Health Literacy Research Centre, Ontario Health, Health Canada, Outdoor Play Canada, Hamilton Health Sciences, Guelph General Hospital, and Public Health Ontario, among many others.

The program structure enables students to pursue various employment opportunities upon graduation. Graduates currently work across Ontario within local public health, provincial public health agencies, federal public health agencies, private firms and non-profit agencies. Preliminary outcome assessment results reveal that 67% of graduates obtain employment within 3 months of graduation and 100% of those actively looking for employment obtained a job within six months of graduating. Some are hired by the agency where they completed their practicum placement, while others have been successful in open competitions.