Known for advancements in both basic and applied research, our faculty members have included the pioneers of human biomechanics, experts in work-life balance, and leaders in international health policy. They continue to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries to explore creative solutions to complex health challenges.
Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1967 | First students enrolled in four-year, honours co-op program; Senate approves establishment of world's first Department of Kinesiology (formerly Department of Athletics and Physical Education within School of Physical and Health Education) effective January 1, 1968 |
| 1968 | Recreation and Leisure Studies undergraduate program (granted senate approval in 1967) and Department of Recreation established; School name changed to School of Physical Education and Recreation |
| 1970 | Regular Kinesiology program approved |
| 1972 | MSc program in Kinesiology approved; Health Studies Option (program) and Dance Option (program) implemented |
| 1974 | Dance gains independent program status |
| 1975 | Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies approved; students admitted in 1976 |
| 1976 | Kinesiology establishes PhD programs in Psychomotor Behaviour and Sociology of Sport |
| 1978 | School of Anatomy, Department of Health Studies established; BSc and MSc in Health Studies approved |
| 1989 | Waterloo launches PhD in Health Studies; first student admitted 1990 |
| 1990 | Human Kinetics and Leisure Studies becomes Faculty of Applied Health Sciences |
| 1993 | Department of Health Studies merges with Gerontology program to become Department of Health Studies and Gerontology; Waterloo establishes Canada's first doctoral program in Recreation and Leisure Studies (students admitted in 1994) |
| 1998 | MSc and PhD in Health Studies receive approval to incorporate Gerontology into programs |
| 2001 | Master of Tourism, Policy, and Planning established (students admitted in 2002) |
| 2002 | Undergraduate majors in Recreation and Business, and in Therapeutic Recreation approved; Master of Health Informatics program established with Computer Science |
| 2005 | Senate approves Canada's first PhD program in Aging, Health and Wellbeing; students admitted in 2006 |
| 2006 | Master of Public Health program |
| 2007 | Senate approves PhD program in Work and Health; students admitted 2008 |
| 2009 | Recreation and Leisure Studies adds part-time studies in all undergraduate majors |
| 2010 | Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies renames Recreation and Business major to Recreation and Sport Business and establishes new undergraduate major in Tourism and Parks Management (effective 2011) |
|
2011 |
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology becomes School of Public Health and Health Systems; Master of Social Work program approved by Senate (delivered by Renison University College; degree granted by Applied Health Sciences) |
|
2012 |
Health Promotion program (regular and co-op) established; Propel Centre for Population Health Impact established as Senate-approved research centre |
|
2013 |
Master of Health Evaluation program established; Master of Arts in Tourism, Policy, and Planning renamed to Master of Arts in Tourism |
|
2015 |
Course-based stream of Master of Science in Kinesiology established; MSc and PhD in Health Studies and Gerontology renamed to Public Health and Health Systems; Undergraduate major in Tourism and Parks Management renamed to Tourism Development; Bachelor of Health Promotion changed to Bachelor of Public Health |
|
2016 |
Accelerated master’s plans in Public Health and Health Systems approved |
|
2017 |
Collaborative PhD in Public Health and Health Systems – Water approved; Master of Tourism inactivated |
| 2018 | Global Health Policy and Innovation Research Centre established as Senate-approved research centre |
| 2020 |
Senate approves Faculty name change to the Faculty of Health, effective January 1, 2021 |
| 2021 | Senate approves unit name changes from School of Public Health and Health Systems to School of Public Health Sciences, and from Department of Kinesiology to Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, effective September 1, 2021 |