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Master of Public Health - Admission

How to apply for SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences - Master of Public Health (MPH)

Next application intake opens on:

October 17, 2024

Next application intake closes on:

January 22, 2025

The MPH program accepts applications from October to January, with admission updates in March and April. The program begins in September.

Applications for Fall 2024 are now closed.

MPH program overview

The vision of the Faculty of Health Sciences has been to create a vibrant interdisciplinary environment that employs a “cell to society” approach to understand and impact health and wellness across the life-course, with an evidence-based focus on addressing health inequities and social injustice. The MPH program fulfills this vision by teaching to 27 core public health competencies.

The MPH is a cohort-based program, which offers a strong consolidated and integrated core to meet the needs of future public health practitioners. You will be able to explore your individual interests through your choice of two elective courses and your practicum placement. This is a key strength of our program made possible through our rich engagement and relationships with our practice partners. This enables us to offer diverse and exciting practicum opportunities that are key to providing you with the best possible preparation to enter the field of public health practice.

If you are looking for answers about questions regarding tuition, course plan, program length etc.,

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE >>

MPH admission requirements

Admission to the MPH program requires a competitive GPA, strong references, a compelling statement of intent, and clear evidence of interest and involvement in public health. You do not need to secure a  supervisor before applying.

We assess interest and involvement through various means, including your academic background and participation in health-related activities. This could involve working with NGOs, studying or volunteering in developing countries, or engaging with public health organizations in Canada.

Other factors influencing admission include the quality and quantity of applications and available seats. If you are a health practitioner with significant experience, we may also consider your career achievements.

Complete baccalaureate degree:

Must be the equivalent of SFU’s 4-year bachelor’s degree in any field, with a minimum of 3.33 (B+) based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework when you apply. We will also consider graduate coursework. Your degree can be in progress when you apply but all courses must be complete before the MPH program begins. How to calculate your GPA

Credential evaluation report (for applicants with international credentials):

If you have credentials from an institution outside of Canada or the United States, you must submit a credential evaluation report from WES Canada (course-by-course report) or ICES (comprehensive report) only. Credential evaluation reports from other associations such as Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) will not be accepted.

If you completed an exchange or study abroad through a Canadian or American university, you do not need to complete a credential evaluation report.

Credential reports take an average of 3–4 weeks (up to 20+ weeks for some countries) to come from WES or ICES. Start this process early to meet the application deadline.

The admission committee will be looking at your credential evaluation report to calculate the cgpa of your last 60 credits. This initial step is crucial in the adjudication process, no exceptions or any conditional admission will be provided for applicants to submit their credential evaluation report after the application deadline or upon admission.

English language competency:

If English is not your primary language you must complete an English language competency examination. For more information, refer to SFU Graduate Studies English language requirements.

Proof of statistic course completion:

You must meet the statistics prerequisite and provide evidence of completion. Upload a syllabus of the statistics course you completed demonstrating it meets our statistics requirement.

If you have not completed the prerequisite at the time of application but are recommended for admission, admission will be conditional on the successful completion of this prerequisite prior to the start of the program.

Courses that are accepted generally meet the following criteria:

  • A course with the word "statistics" in the course title

  • A course that covers at least three of the following five topics:

    • Descriptive statistics (means, proportion and standard deviation) and graphical methods (histogram and bar chart)

    • Estimation and 95% confidence intervals

    • Hypothesis testing and p-values

    • Correlation

    • Linear regression

We also recommend that you look into online introductory statistics courses, as these courses are often self-paced and have flexible start dates. Some options are:

If you already meet the statistics prerequisite but would like a refresher, we suggest the online module Introduction to Statistics. This module does not fulfill the prerequisite requirement—it is a suggested refresher only.

Supporting documents

Important reminder

Graduate application deadlines at FHS are firm to ensure that all applicants are treated equally and assessed under the same criteria. Applicants must meet admissions requirements and submit all required documents before the deadline to be considered for admission.

It is your responsibility to ensure all uploaded documents are complete and legible, and meet admission requirements. Here’s what you need:

Credential evaluation report from WES Canada or ICES (International applicants only)

If you have credentials from an institution outside of Canada or the United States, as part of your supporting documents, you must submit a scanned unofficial credential evaluation report from WES Canada (course-by-course report) or ICES (comprehensive report).

If you attended a Canadian or American university but studied at an international university while on exchange/study abroad, you do not need to complete a credential evaluation report.

Credential reports take an average of 3–4 weeks (up to 20 weeks in some cases) to come from WES or ICES. Start this process early to meet the application deadline.

When you upload an unofficial scanned copy of your report, be sure to upload copies of both sides of any two-sided, printed documents.

Upon successful admission, your official credential evaluation report must be viewable online (only available through WES) OR you must arrange for a hard copy to be delivered to our office. Note ICES does not provide electronic reports.

English Language Requirements 

English is the language of communication at the University and instruction in most programs. English languate admission requirements are set by SFU Graduate Stuides. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Applicants applying to programs conducted entirely in French will be exempt from this requirement.

International applicants will not be required to complete an English-language test if they have completed a degree at an institution where the language of instruction and examination was in English in a country where English is the primary language. Learn More.

Proof of statistics course

Upload a syllabus of the statistics course you completed demonstrating it meets our statistics requirement.

If you have not completed the prerequisite at the time of application but are recommended for admission, admission will be conditional on the successful completion of this prerequisite prior to the start of the program. More information.

Three academic or professional references

Your referees should comment on your academic and/or professional abilities and suitability to a graduate program in Health Sciences. They will submit their references directly through the application system.

Your referees must fill in the online reference forms and submit their reference letters.

A statement of intent

Explain your reasons or intentions for pursuing studies in this program, including a description of your prior experience. For MPH applicants, if you have already identified topics of special interest for a practicum experience or master's project, please include this in your statement of intent.

Your statement should be no more than two double-spaced typed pages.

Your CV or resume

Outline your academic achievements and/or awards, publications, relevant work and/or volunteer experience.

Transcripts

You must upload an unofficial transcript (scanned, saved, etc.) showing grades for each post-secondary institution you have attended (including SFU, if applicable), when you are uploading documents to your application. Transcripts must be in PDF format. You cannot upload these documents until your application has been submitted, and your application fee has been paid and processed onto your account.

  • We will not accept screenshots or photographs of transcripts taken with a camera, smart phone, or tablet.
  • If documents are two-sided, please upload scanned copies of both sides.
  • If you have international credentials from a non-English speaking institution, you must upload transcripts in their original language with certified literal English translations AND official degree certificate in the original language with certified literal English translation.

If offered admission, submit one official electronic or physical copy of your transcript for each post-secondary institution you have attended

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit an official transcript for each post-secondary institution. If you have a degree in progress, your offer of admission letter will confirm if that degree must be awarded before you begin your studies at SFU. If the degree must be completed, do not send  your official transcript from that institution until your degree is awarded and appearing on your transcript.

Official transcripts (one per institution):

  • must be official documents, sealed by the institution of issue, and sent directly to Simon Fraser University. The mailing address can be found below - OR -
  • may alternatively be sent electronically via a secure delivery service, such as Parchment, directly from official institutional email addresses (your institution of study must have such a service in place for this to be possible). SFU's email address for receipt of electronic transcripts is gradap@sfu.ca - OR -
  • may also be submitted in an institution-sealed envelope by the applicant, as long as the seal and all official notations/seals/signatures remain untouched and intact on the institution's original envelope. (Do not open the envelope - if you open it, it is no longer official).

Unsealed (open/loose) transcripts will not be accepted as official, even if they are on institutional paper. Transcripts received by email without secure delivery or sent by an applicant will not be accepted as official. Each transcript is subject to review prior to acceptance. 

  • If you have international credentials from a non-English speaking institution, you must send transcripts in their original language with certified literal English translations AND official degree certificate in the original language with certified literal English translation.
  • We will accept notarized copies of original transcripts and degree certificates if you are unable to obtain multiple copies of original transcripts.

Attn: Admissions

Graduate Studies
Maggie Benston Student Services Centre 1100
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5A 1S6

  

Optional additional documents

You can submit optional supporting documents as indicated in the online application system.

How to apply

Complete the online application and pay the application fee at least three weeks prior to the application deadline to avoid delays and ensure your references have time to submit their reports. You can upload supporting documentation once you have completed the first part of your application. Your referees can also submit their references for you here, too.

1. Start your online application

All SFU programs use the same application page, so consult the FHS procedures and requirements, as well as SFU’s overall requirements.  

2. Pay your non-refundable application fee

We cannot access your online application until you submit your non-refundable application fee. For Canadian transcripts, the fee is $110 CAD. For applications with any international transcripts, the fee is $150 CAN. Payment is accepted by credit card only (MasterCard or Visa).

3. Submit your supporting documents online (see above)

It is your responsibility to submit all supporting documents on the online system, ensuring they are complete and legible. The documents are outlined at the bottom of this page—read instructions carefully.

4. Submit electronic copies OR mail hard copies of your official transcripts (after offer of admission)

If you receive an offer of admission, you need to submit official transcripts for any institutions you’ve attended. If you have international credentials from a non-English speaking institution, you must send transcripts in their original language with certified literal English translations AND official degree certificate in the original language with certified literal English translation.

Apply now

Admission FAQs

Explore by topic about important information concerning admission tailored for prospective students.

Do I need to confirm a supervisor as part of the application process?

The MPH program is structured as a course-based program. Applicants are not required to select a supervisor. MORE INFORMATION >>

How many concentrations are offered in the MPH program?

MPH program does not offer concentration options.

I am currently enrolled in an MPH program at another institution, am I eligible to transfer to the SFU MPH program?

MPH program does not accept transfer applicants. The program is structured so that each cohort of MPH students progresses together each term according to the established course plan. Credits are not transferable, and students are required to complete all courses in their cohort's course plan over the two-year duration of the program.

Are there any funding opportunities available for MPH students?

Unlike the MSc thesis and Ph.D. programs, funding for MPH students is not guaranteed for the duration of their program.

How many applications does the admission committee receive each year, and how many offers are typically extended?

Admission to the MPH program is offered on a competitive basis. Each year, we receive several hundred applications and extend offers to approximately 40-45 students.

When can I expect to receive the admission decision?

The admission committee will begin reviewing applications once the intake is closed in January, and admission results will likely be sent out to applicants before May. We encourage you to regularly check your email and the Status Portal for any notifications.

Is it possible to request admission deferrals once admitted?

To request a deferral, send your request by email with your reasons to the Manager, Graduate Programs.  Decisions about MPH deferrals are made on an individual basis by the Director of Professional Programs and Accreditation in their capacity of Chair of the MPH Admissions Committee after discussion with the Manager of Graduate Programs. It may take up to two weeks for a response to your request. Deferrals are granted sparingly with about 2-3 deferrals given each year. The Manager of Graduate Programs communicates deferral decisions to students by email. 

The following are grounds for a deferral being considered:

1) Visa delays: when students have made complete and timely applications for Visas and these have been delayed either in their home countries or in Canada

2) Personal circumstances: when students have to contend with serious health issues or other serious family matters

3) Jobs: when students get short-term positions that hold exceptional promise for their future careers.  

Is it possible to schedule a meeting with the program office for guidance or to determine my eligibility for the program?

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to offer individual document review or one-on-one advising for prospective students. We highly recommend that you review the admission pages provided on this page for detailed information.

Am I eligible to apply if I do not meet the required CGPA? Can I enroll in additional courses to improve my CGPA?

We appreciate your commitment to enhancing your application. However, please be aware that the admission committee will evaluate applicants based on the last 60 credits completed in their post-secondary education. The admission committee will also take into account applicants' graduate coursework and experiences, applicants are encouraged to apply for the program if they believe they can provide clear evidence of both interest and involvement in public health.

Is it possible to be exempt from submitting the credential evaluation report, or can an alternative evaluation report such as WES US be used instead of WES Canada (course-by-course report) or ICES (comprehensive report)?

Applicants with credentials from institutions outside of Canada or the United States MUST submit a scanned unofficial credential evaluation report from WES Canada (course-by-course report) or ICES (comprehensive report) prior to the application deadline. Exemptions cannot be granted to be fair to all applicants.

Do I need to fulfill the English Language Proficiency requirement?

According to SFU Graduate Studies, applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate a command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Visit this page to search countries for which an English Language Proficiency Test is not required.

International applicants will not be required to complete an English-language test if they have completed a degree at an institution where the language of instruction and examination was in English in a country where English is the primary language.

If my school did not provide a syllabus or outline for the statistics course, or if I cannot find it, am I exempt from uploading the course outline for the statistics course?

Prospective applicants must upload their transcript and a syllabus of the statistics course they completed, demonstrating that it meets our statistics requirement. If the admission committee determines that the prerequisite has not been completed at the time of application but recommends admission, admission will be conditional upon successfully fulfilling this prerequisite before the program commences.

What types of references (academic or professional) should I use to fulfill the reference requirement?

Applicants are required to apply with a combination of both academic or professional references.

Is it necessary to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as part of the admission requirements?

No, taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a part of the admission requirements.

General FAQs

What is the tuition fee for the program, and when is it due?

International and domestic graduate students pay the same tuition fees. The total minimum tuition of $15,329.5 covers the entire program consisting of 46 units. MPH students are required to pay their tuition for courses and term fees at the beginning of each term, occurring three times per year. Please note that the tuition fee and other fees are subject to change, we encourage you to keep monitoring our page for any updates.

How do we pay for tuition?

SFU provides 6 ways to pay for tuition and has detailed information for payments on their website.  Find more information HERE.

What will the workload be like?

As a full-time MPH student in our program, students can expect to spend 52 hours per week between classes and course work. This is based on spending 2-3 hours per credit per week not counting time spent in lectures or tutorials. Please see this library site for tips on pacing your studying.

What does a typical day at university include?

MPH students will typically have between 1-2 classes/day with a heavier course load in the first two terms. Many students utilize the various study rooms and classrooms to work on group projects, study and socialize. There are quiet study rooms for getting you work done as well.

Are MPH students eligible to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) positions?

Teaching Assistantship positions are announced on our website and communicated to graduate students 2-3 months prior to the start of each term. These positions are opened to all graduate students and are assigned competitively.

How do I find out about scholarship and funding opportunities?

Please look on our website to see scholarship and funding information for both prospective and current students. We recommend reading both sites.  Funding is limited for professional programs so be prepared to fund the entirety of your program.

What kind of services can I expect from the library?

The SFU Library is dedicated to providing access to collections, services and facilities in support of the teaching, learning and research goals of the SFU community.

Graduate students also receive additional support from from the library with dedicated space and programs to support you throughout your degree. More information can be found  on our current students page.

What kind of study spaces can I find at SFU campuses, including the library?

Study spaces across SFU campuses:
Study Spaces - Student Services - Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)
Study Spaces - Vancouver Campus - Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)

Graduate individual study rooms are available at the Bennett library on the SFU Burnaby campus.

Information for International and out-of-province students

SFU Graduate Studies office for international graduate students is the most comprehensive resource for international applicants and students.  

The International Services for Students office provides support and services for all students seeking information regarding a variety of international learning opportunities.

International student advisors can help you with the following:

  • Study permit and temporary resident (entry) visas

  • On-campus employment regulations

  • Social insurance numbers (SIN)

  • Co-op, post-graduation, and off-campus work permits

  • Visitor visas and work permits for spouses/common-law partners

  • Health insurance and the Canadian medical system

  • US visitor visas

  • Personal, cultural and academic transition

  • Any other non-academic questions or concerns

You can visit the office in person, call 778-782-4232, or send an email to intl_advising@sfu.ca. The pre-arrival guide and welcome guides may also help you prepare for your studies at SFU.

Explore the important information and resources tailored for students from international pathways provided by SFU's Interntaional Services for Students

Questions?

Before getting in touch, please carefully review the admission requirements and application information. We’ll do our best to get back to you quickly, but responses may be delayed up to two weeks during peak periods.

Note: We do not confirm the receipt of electronic or hard-copy application documents. You must monitor your application checklist on a regular basis. We will not accept late documentation.

Please contact Quincy Fung, the Graduate Program Assistant of MPH program at fhsgrads@sfu.ca or 1-778-782-7036 for more information.