Social Dimensions of Health

The Social Dimensions of Health (SDH) program offers graduate studies leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Focused specifically on interdisciplinary health research, the program links the research and academic mandates of the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, and Human and Social Development, as well as the research mandates of the University’s many interdisciplinary research centres, to offer a unique training opportunity to students interested in health research that cross-cuts traditional disciplines.

Designed as an interdisciplinary, research-intensive graduate program, the SDH program incorporates theoretical and methodological perspectives from the humanities, health and social sciences. The program is flexible, allowing students to create the program that fits with their background and future goals. The final output is a thesis (MA/MSc) or dissertation (PhD), which the student must successfully defend according to regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The SDH program is an interdisciplinary program within the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The program is administered by the School of Public Health and Social Policy in the Faculty of Human and Social Development. This gives students the advantage of having a home within an academic unit at the University, while still allowing the program to maintain its unique interdisciplinary focus and strengths.