Kinesiology and Health Sciences (Aging, Health and Well-Being) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

B.C Matthews Hall (BMH)

B.C Matthews Hall (BMH) on Waterloo's Campus, across Columbia St W.

Advance your knowledge and pursue a career in health, aging, illness and injury prevention with the nationally and internationally recognized PhD in Science in Kinesiology and Health Sciences program.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, you’ll develop a broad understanding of issues related to the health and wellbeing of our aging population.  

 The first collaborative PhD program in Canada with a focus on aging, health and wellbeing, it provides opportunities for cross-departmental collaborations, access to diverse course offerings and resources including dissertation committee members who can add unique perspectives in addressing emerging research problems. 

You can register in any department/school in the Faculty of Health including the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies or the School of Public health Sciences, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life for older adults. 

Research areas

  • Health information management
  • Illness and injury prevention
  • Dementia and dementia care
  • Social and environmental aspects of aging
  • Health services and continuum of care
  • Nutrition and healthy lifestyles
  • Vascular aging and cerebrovascular disease
  • Epidemiology and aging
  • Mobility and aging
  • Gender, sexuality, ethnicities and aging

Program overview

Department/School: Kinesiology and Health Sciences
Faculty: Faculty of Health
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Collaborative, Doctoral, Research
Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)
  • June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
  •  October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Key contacts

Alicia Nadon
alicia.nadon@uwaterloo.ca

Considerations for international students before submitting an application

While the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo values international students in our graduate programs, we can only accept a small proportion of these students. 

Guaranteed funding packages may not be able to cover all tuition and living expenses incurred during a graduate program and students are encouraged to understand more about the cost of completing their graduate program before applying.

Arany Sivasubramaniam

Health care is more than just a career for me. It's my passion. That's why I chose the PhD Aging, Health and Well-being program.

 Arany Sivasubramaniam, Aging, Health and Well-being, PhD

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • A Master's degree with a minimum 75% average in relevant field (normally Kinesiology, Recreation and Leisure Studies or Health Studies and Gerontology, but other degrees in Life and Social Sciences could be suitable as well)
  • Letter stating research interests and why the student wishes to pursue graduate studies

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
    • Submit one copy of a term paper, research project, or thesis written during the students last year of Master's studies
  • References
    • Three references are required from faculty members who taught the student while in a Master's program. Normally, one must be from the Master's supervisor
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26 speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees