Public Health

Master of Public Health (MPH)



Meet Nandni Khera, Master’s candidate in Public Health

“I came to Western specifically because of the design of the MPH program. This program is pioneering the way in which public health leaders are trained through its unique case-based learning method, multi-sector faculty, and comprehensive analysis of real-world problems. Western is a hub for leaders in different sectors, and this provides a unique lens to expose effective solutions that can be reworked to create innovation within the public health sector.”

What one thing would you like people to know about you?
I like to try to do things outside of my comfort zone and try new things. I have gone sky diving and shark diving in South Africa, paragliding in Switzerland, parasailing and dancing in a street parade in Cayman.

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
The faculty in my program are critical to my success. They are approachable, supportive, and truly want the best for the students. They know each of us by name and try to expose us to content that matches our specific interests.

Where’s your favourite place on campus to work?
My favourite place on campus to study is Weldon Library. I completed my undergrad at Western and so when I return to the library it feels comfortable and I get a sense of nostalgia roaming the halls.

What is your “dream” career?
My dream career is one that challenges me and never stops scaring me. I don’t have a specific dream, but I am truly passionate about improving the health of a society. As a registered nurse, I have been able to work directly with patients and families, but with this Master’s degree I will be able to make an impact on a population level. Upon graduation, I have been offered a position for a role in health policy which I can confidently say was thanks to my graduate work at Western.

What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
This program has a focus on global public health and brings students from around the world together in one classroom. These connections are valuable to becoming a public health professional; therefore, take advantage of the international perspectives and try and learn from your classmates. They will eventually become your colleagues and critical to your success.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Program Coordinator (publichealth@schulich.uwo.ca)

Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
The Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, 4th Floor
London, Ontario N6G 2M1

t. 519.661.2111 x86279
f. 519-661-2004

The Master of Public Health Program features real public health issues as the foundation of students' learning, immersing participants in some of the most significant and complex public health crises that our country and globe have experienced. Our MPH Program offers a unique intersection between leadership, policy and sustainability. During this 12-month, case-based/experiential learning Program, students will have the opportunity to apply their previous work and health-related experience to discuss a wide-range of views and practices while gaining the knowledge and skills to lead in an ever-changing and increasingly challenging public health landscape.

The case method of learning is not about the traditional lecture-style classroom setting: it is about the student being an active part of the learning experience; that means learning by doing. It introduces complex and often ambiguous real-world scenarios into the classroom, forcing students to think and make decisions often with incomplete and inaccurate data. This prepares graduates for the dynamic conditions they'll encounter in their careers.

Special features of the MPH Program include:

  • 12-week practicum
  • Small cohort with no more than 60 students
  • Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Faculty members from Health Science, Law, Science, Social Science and Brescia University College Strategic Alliance with the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) – fast track to earn your designation as a Certified Health Executive

Program Length

  • 3 Terms

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Course-based

Admission Requirements

The MPH Program will admit professionals who desire advancement in their knowledge in public health and/or who are preparing for leadership roles within public health. We accept students from a variety of backgrounds; we will strive for maximum diversity in the cohort of students.

Both education and experience are important eligibility criteria. Competitive applications will include:

  • A four-year undergraduate degree with a minimum 70 per cent (Canadian equivalent) over the last two years of study.
  • Demonstrated public health experience (work, volunteer, etc.)
  • Demonstrated English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) if you have not studied at the post-secondary level for at least two years in an English speaking country (Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Nigeria). See below for details.
  • Recommended: successfully completed undergraduate statistics course with a minimum 70 per cent (Canadian equivalency) within the last five years.
Additionally, international students must meet English language fluency requirements as outlined below.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The competitive score is 100 for the iBT with no individual score below 25; or 580 for the paper and pencil version. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
  • The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) of the British Council. The competitive score is 7 out of 9 with no individual score lower than 6.5. The IELTS is offered in 6 test centres in the US and 3 in Canada.
  • The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) of the University of Michigan. Students must have at least 80 on each of the sections and an overall score of at least 85. Arrangements to write MELAB may be made online.
  • The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The competitive overall score is 70 with 70 in both writing and speaking . The CAEL Assessment is offered in several countries throughout the world as well as Canada.
  • Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components.
Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB or CAEL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency. Those graduates from Level 5 of the Fanshawe College ESL Program must provide official proof of graduation.

Application Deadline

Domestic & International Students

  • January 30
Acceptance notification begins in April and continues until August.