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Health Studies - Health Policy

Health Studies - Health Policy Major (HBA)

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:

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
Careers for Graduates
  • Research Analyst
  • Research and Coordinator roles at community care centres
  • Health Policy Analyst
  • Coordinator in health services
  • Activationist in long-term care homes
  • Project Assistant in health promotion services
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 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
  • 1.0 credit as follows: HLTA02H3 and HLTA03H3. Students may also enroll in PHLB09H3 and [STAB22H3 or STAB23H3] in year one to help balance their load in year two.                                       
  • 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
  • 0.5 credit from: ANTC67H3, HLTC27H3.
  • 1.5 C-level credits from ANT, HLT, and IDS (See the UTSC Calendar for course list).
  • Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.

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
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.

Glossary

  • AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
  • CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
  • CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
  • CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
  • DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
  • HSSA - Health and Society Students Association (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/healthsociety/health-and-society-students-association-hssa)
  • ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
  • SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)


Contacts

  • Departmental Contact
    Sean Ramrattan
    sean.ramrattan@utoronto.ca
    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/healthsociety/
  • Health Studies Librarian
    Kathryn Barrett
    kathryn.barrett@utoronto.ca
    ARC main floor
    416-208-5199
    https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/librarians
  • Academic Advising & Career Centre
    AC213
    416-287-7561
    https://utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/
  • Department of Student Life
    SL157
    416-208-4760
    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/
  • Health and Society Students' Association
    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/healthsociety/health-and-society-students-association-hssa
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Did You Know?


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