[MPH Programs in Canada]

Job prospects for pharmacy seems better, but I like ph slightly more than pharmacy. I still like both a lot though.

They are two very different paths. What's holding you back from going for MPH or Pharm?

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Hey everyone!

So I am currently in UofT Occupational Health MPH and might have to choose between that and Waterloo Pharmacy.

Which one?!?!

[MPH Programs in Canada]

wow. sucks coz i am finishing up at queens... but i never heard of this event..

Pebbles

It was an open-house type of event for the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. Sounded like a good event because there were faculty and students to answer questions.... plus they would have paid for travel and food (free food!)

[MPH Programs in Canada]

There ws a Queen's thing yesterday? What was it?

Anyone end up going to the Queen's Annual Day today? I couldn't....still writing exams.

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Oh how exciting! I finally found someone in the same stream as me! lol it just seemed like everybody in this forum was into epid or health promotion at uoft.

I think I'm still leaning towards uoft for similar reasons as you though; I'm getting ready to send in the acceptance documents and apply for res... hmm

I may probably see you in september! (:

Pebbles

Hey Pebbles,

If your supervisor can ensure/guarantee you a placement in toronto (sounds like you really want to complete your practicum there), then by all means, Queens is probably your best choice.

I got accepted to UofT's OEH program, so I'll be attending in the fall, maybe I'll see you there if you decide to accept UofT's offer. My main reason for picking UofT over the other schools is mainly because it's an established school and connections with other large organization, departments and agencies within the realm of public health. The school is also quite well-known for its MPH program... so reputation is something I consider important in regards to attending a professional school... (not saying Queen's isn't a reputable school, just that UofT's MPH program has been around much longer). I didn't do my undergrad at UofT so I'm looking forward to a change in the academic scene. Like stated earlier, I also feel that UofT may offer better placements and Toronto is ideally where I want to work (at least when I start out) once I've completed the program. I chose the OEH program in particular because I'm interested in workplace health and safety.. more specifically dealing with the business aspect of H&S.. so I may actually do an MBA later on in my life... but that's a whole other story..

Whatever decision you make, I'm sure it will be the right one for you... I did recall someone say in previous posts that Queen's MPH program is more focused towards cancer epi? Is that something you're interested in?

Also, I'm not sure if there's a facebook group for UofT's/Queens Public Health programs... but if they do, maybe you could contact some from there to get a better perspective of what both schools have to offer. I know there are a few UofT facebook groups for different professional programs such as physiotherapy or pharmacy geared towards answering questions and sharing their experiences in the program. Hope this helps!

[MPH Programs in Canada]

@Niceguy,

yeah feels like toronto has more options :3 and i am from toronto as well. I tried to contact several current students but wasn't successful However, my current supervisor at queens is a public health official and she did suggest a couple of times that she can set me up with practicum in toronto if I stay at queens - so it is quite enticing for me ! This is the other reason why I am considering Queens.. what do you think?

Pebbles

PS Where are you going next year? (or applid to?)

So I was just skimming through Queen's MPH website and it seems like the "field trips" and placements are "based in either a local or regional". This is from their website description and their list of field trip locations. Perhaps you should email the Program Director for Queen's MPH program to inquire about their practicum or contact the list of students they have posted on the MPH website to see what they have to say about their practicum experience.

Like you said, I too feel UofT students get better placements, not only because of their location, but also the School's connections with other organizations and agencies... So networking may be an advantage for you. I know when I was doing my placement at the City of Toronto, they had a student from UofT's MPH OEH program complete her placement there... and she got to know a lot of the senior staff working in various fields of Public Health in the city.

Maybe the location of the school and where you live might be able to help you decide as well? If you're a perm resident in Kingston, and you're more interested in the courses Queens has to offer, then I'd say go with Queens. Or if you're from the GTA region, maybe UofT might be a better choice (although they may not offer your ideal courses), the change in academic environment may open more doors for you in the future..

[MPH Programs in Canada]

I am completing a life sciences undergrad here at queens with a research component; i'm still not sure whether to accept Queens MPH program. It is a generalized MPH so it does not specialize into streams like UofT. They have courses that target different areas of PH such as health promotion, health policy, epid, etc.; however I want to see where students go for their practicum, because I feel that UofT students may get better practicum just because of their location. I just want to compare before I accept either.

Pebbles

Hi Pebbles,

You've mentioned that you're currently finishing up your undergrad at Queens.. May I ask what program/degree you're working towards to?

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Does anybody know where Queen's MPH students do their practica???

Thanks!

Pebbles

[MPH Programs in Canada]

In general, UofT acceptances in MPH programs should be out around mid April. I know ppl who applied to epid have gotten acceptances; I applied to OEH and I received my acceptance two weeks ago. For the global health focus, I believe you have to be accepted into MPH first before they reevaluate your portfolio for the concentration. (That is what is currently undertaken for my application).

Pebbles

Thanks for creating this topic! I'm waiting to hear from University of Toronto for the health promotion stream. I was wondering if anyone knows when most acceptances go out? I applied for the global health focus so it might take longer. I also applied for McMaster's new Master's in Global Health Program. Does anyone know more about this program?

[MPH Programs in Canada]

So other than med school after MPH, what does everybody want to do with their MPHs?

Pebbles

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Does anybody know of anyone that have been in the Occupational and Environmental Health stream of MPH at UofT? It seems like it is quite a small stream at UofT since everybody seems to be mostly in epid or health promotion....

Pebbles

[MPH Programs in Canada]

I applied to their occupational and environmental health stream, but I realized it isn't the stream that I wanted after finding out about where graduates usually work afterwards. I'm wondering if I should suck it up and try it since UofT is located nicely in central toronto with plenty of job opportunity and networking opportunity, or if I should accept the Queens MPH which is newer (and may still have leeway for refinement and improvement) program, but contain courses that I ultimately prefer over UofT. ... :S

Pebbles

U of T has had a program for longer ... Don't they make you specialize in an area like Epi or Health Promotion? Is that of interest to you?

[MPH Programs in Canada]

So which one are you picking?

Just curious. .. Queens has a very good learning atmosphere. I am speaking from an undergrad's point of view since I'm completing my undergrad right now here at Queens. Of course I don't know much about the MPH either (or I won't be having so much trouble decidingbtwn here and UofT ) I also hear that the head of the MPH program here has a fairly good reputation in the public health arena... but that was only from one source, so not sure how credible that is...

Pebbles

U Sask or Queen's - ANY ADVICE!?!

[MPH Programs in Canada]

that's the thing - I do not really wish to work in occupational public health for the long term - I am more interested in infectious diseases and biological hazards that occur in the workplace and environment in general. I like the generalization of Queens MPH where it deals with many other streams of public health, but I am also not that interested in cancer epidemiology.... @_@

Forgive me if I'm wrong (I lost track of all the posts here lol) , but you got into UofT epid right? I hear that's a really good MPH stream at UofT! congrats

Pebbles

Usually is someone goes into OEH then they tend to work in this area as it is a specialization. Is this what you intend to do? If yes, then Uof T seems like a good option. The MPH at Queen's is a new -yes - but it replaced their non-thesis MSC in Epi program. If you are interested in epi, especially cancer epi, and understanding all the core components of MPH then Queen's might e a better option.

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Does anyone know anybody who did the queens MPH? I tried contacting various current students, but to no avail :3

Or have heard any good/bad things and limitations about the program?

I'm in the same spot! I got the same email you did in mid-March, and I've been waiting to hear back since. I'm planning on accepting to SFU, so I'm glad to know that I'm in... but in the meantime deadlines are passing for my other opportunities for next year. I've already had to turn down programs at Alberta and BCIT.

It'd be great to get something formal and have some peace of mind. I'm making all of these arrangements to move this summer and I'd like to work out student aid and whatnot... but I'm not actually a student yet?

I emailed the FHS yesterday to ask about it. I'll update if I hear back.

[MPH Programs in Canada]

@guelphmph2011:

which stream did you apply to UofT? I know that the epi there is quite popular, so the prestige is definitely something to think about. I think you're in a similar situation as me - I'm having difficulties choosing between Queens and UofT, but I did not choose epid at UofT. :S Good luck to both of us.

Pebbles

If you want higher grades go to the easier school, if you want well known school go to the more prestigious school. I think it's obvious which one is which. Big city vs university town. Both have their benefits. If you plan on doing a PhD or med school after you probably want higher grades. I don't know which one is "better" but whatever choice you make it will be the right one. Good luck.

[MPH Programs in Canada]

@Decaf:

So between Queen's and UofT Environmental and Occupational public health, which would you choose? I am just trying to get some ideas of pros and cons that I may have overlooked. Queen's has a very positive learning environment and very intimate atmosphere; I am completing my undergrad here and I am really going to miss the community if I leave; but I know that UofT may have more opportunity in the long term. :S

I appreciate all your input!

Pebbles

Queen's programs specializes in cancer epidemiology and things like smoking and environmental harzards that could cause cancer ... If you are interested in these things then Queen's is a good program.

[MPH Programs in Canada]

@guelphMPH2011:

congrats! If you do go into medicine after mph, I hope you can implement a lot of the public health practices that you learned into the medicinal arena. I really believe that the public health system in canada deserves equal attention and it would great if someone could finally integrate public health practices with diagnostic practices

which med school do you want to go to?

Pebbles

actually i told the truth. and got in.

[MPH Programs in Canada]

@Decaf:

Yes I want to go to UofT too, but someone told me the program may be slightly outdated and may not meet the current demands of the Ontario Occupational safety standards :S and I am interested in pursuing research or practice in understanding biological hazards and their effects in the environment; I feel like the UofT MPH occupational and enviro stream doesn't acknowledge this as much... I don't know i'm so indecisive!

It seems like nobody has applied to the Queens MPH! But their program is equally competitive... I feel like it must be promising if it is so. :S Does anybody know anything about the Queens MPH?

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Hi Stars,

yes I got into both! I tried to find a facebook page about the Queens MPH but they didn't really have one - at least the discussion board has been outdated for two years (and not much discussion going on either). I compared the courses from both schools and I feel the Queens one offer more interesting course topics, however I agree with you that UofT seems to have a better reputation!

Hmmmm

Pebbles

Are those the only schools you applied to?

I would go with UofT...more known. however, Queens is also a good school. Check out their facebook page to to talk to the people in the program.

Also..look at work opportunities for each as well. I think Queens offers two practicums?

And finally..check out the tuition fees, UofT is always too expensive, but I would check that.

You have to do a lot of research into both school. Did you get into both of them?

[MPH Programs in Canada]

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if anybody knows anything about the Queen's MPH and UofT MPH IN enviro and occupational health? Which one is better??

Thanks!

Pebbles