Alumni & Friends - Ways to get involved and give back
Academic Advising & Career Centre

Health & Society - Health Policy Major

Back to Program Pathways Index Page   |   Go to Department of Health & Society Website

[Download PDF]

Program Overview

Major programs in UTSC’s Department of Health and Society (DHS) promote an understanding of health across a spectrum of academic perspectives: from the clinical and biological health sciences to social science and humanistic ways of knowing. Students who choose to major in Health Policy (BA) will become experts in the structure and effectiveness of health care systems, including public health policy, health crises and management, caregiving across the life course, and pressing issues in health care delivery for marginalized communities. Special emphasis is placed on how matters of culture and identity—including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and colonialism—directly impact health outcomes and services across Canada and in the wide world beyond.

Complementary Programs:  Anthropology, Sociology, City Studies, History, Philosophy, Public Policy, Women’s and Gender Studies, Human Geography, International Development Studies, Political Science

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

1. Competencies & Skills

  • Analyze social, historical, political, and economic processes that shape health and well-being
  • Identify biological, behavioural, and environmental factors that affect health
  • Analyze how cultural factors mediate health practices and shape health outcomes through tradition, ritual, customs, and concepts of health, illness and disease

2. Careers for Graduates

  • Team Assistant in community care centres
  • Customer Service Agent in biomedical products firms
  • Coordinator in health services
  • Clinical Research Assistant in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Activationist in long-term care homes
  • Project Assistant in health promotion services

3. Further Education

  • Public Health
  • Health Science
  • Epidemiology
  • Gerontology
  • Health/Public Policy & Administration
  • Community Health or Development
  • Community Education
  • Medicine or Nursing
  • Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Regulatory Affairs

Program Pathway

Year 1
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY

  • 1.5 credits as follows: [BIOA11H3 or BIOA01H3], HLTA02H3, HLTA03H3.                                       

  • Explore different kinds of courses; this will also help with fulfilling breadth requirements and electives.

  • Use Degree Explorer to plan your courses and program of interest.

  • See the UTSC Calendar for course requirements.
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS

  • Schedule an appointment with your Program Librarian for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.                                                      

  • Get writing support at CTL's Writing Centre.
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Year 2
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY

DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS

APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE
  • Get involved in relevant opportunities on and/or off campus; apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on CLNx.

BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)

  • Check CLNx to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER

  • Considering grad school? Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.

  • Explore careers through the AA&CC's Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.
Year 3

CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE

  • Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, student groups, DSL and the AA&CC.
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Year 4 or Final Year
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY

  • 0.5 D-level credit in HLT courses.

  • Ensure you have fulfilled your breadth requirements.

  • Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.

  • Register your Intent to Graduate on ACORN by the deadline.
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS

  • Apply for an Academic Travel Fund through Department of Student Life (DSL) to research, present at a conference, or engage with the international academic community.
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE

  • Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for summer and full-time positions relevant to your field.
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)

  • Participate in the AA&CC's Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER

  • Attend the AA&CC's Get Hired job search conference in April/May.

  • Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search ìcrash courseî and for access to full-time job listings.

  • Get your personal statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Contacts

Did You Know: There’s a Population Health co-op program that combines academic studies with paid work terms.