Health Science Education, M.Sc.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the School of Graduate Studies requirements, candidates for admission to this health science education program will have an honours-equivalent, four-year bachelor’s degree or related health professional degree (e.g., Bachelor of Health Sciences from the Nursing, Physician Assistant or Midwifery Programs, or Bachelor of Social Work), an MD, or a Master of Science in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy, etc. Additional requirements include:

• A four-year undergraduate degree with at least a B+ from an AUCC Member School (equivalent to a McMaster 8.5 GPA out of 12.0) in the final year in all courses in the [health science related] discipline.
• An official transcript of academic work completed to date at all post-secondary institutions attended, sent directly from the issuing institution(s). If the final degree does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official copy of the diploma is also required.
• Two confidential letters of recommendation from recent mentors (either those in an academic position or health practitioners) most familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
• Curriculum Vitae to include work experience and list of educational experiences.
• Written answers to a series of pre-determined questions concerning the applicant’s interest and goals for studying in the Health Sciences Education Graduate Program. These questions are:
  • What will you gain from completing a Master’s of Science in Health Science Education?
  • What constraints and barriers do you face in your life to completing an MSc, and how will you make time and space for this work?
  • What are your educational responsibilities now? What do you imagine your educational responsibilities may be in the future?
  • [For thesis applicants only]: What area of research do you wish to pursue for your thesis? What questions might you answer in this topic area? (500 words)
• Preference will be given to those with teaching experience in a health-related discipline. However, applicants without teaching experience will be considered.
• Full time thesis students can find information on funding at http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/, and item 5.2.1 (Financial Support for Full-time Students)  in the Graduate Calendar.

Admission is competitive. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission to the program.

To apply and pay the application fee online, consult the Graduate Studies website at http://graduate.mcmaster.ca/prospective-students/application-procedure

Program Requirements

The general regulations for Master’s degrees may be found at the beginning of this Calendar. Minimum requirements for candidates of the MSc in Health Science Education program are outlined below.

Course-based option students must:

• Complete, with at least a B- standing:
  • The program’s seven required courses (HSEDUC 701, HSEDUC 703, HSEDUC 700,
    HSEDUC 707 and three elective courses)
  • Capstone Portfolio

Thesis-based option students must:

• Complete, with at least a B- standing
  • The program’s four required courses (two quarter courses and two half courses)
  • One graduate approved elective (half course)
  • Enrol into SGS 701 in each term that no other courses are being taken
  • A thesis

Scheduled Break

The scheduled breaks policy is intended for use in situations of foreseeable use in study where the Leave of Absence policy does not apply. Students may not be engaged with the curriculum during the break. Specifically, this means that the scheduled break may not be used to work on the Capstone Portfolio or Thesis.

The provisions related to tuition fees and term counts are the same as for a Leave of Absence. Breaks must be requested via the program, and the program must approve the schedule. If approved, breaks may not occur in the first or last term of in-time enrollment.