Tackle health problems and save lives - thousands at a time
While doctors treat individual patients, you think bigger. Much bigger. From tobacco control to vaccine programs, public health professionals save millions of lives each year.
You’ll study the social, cultural, political, biological, and geographic forces that impact individual, community, and population health. You’ll also examine trends, behaviours, and inequalities in health systems, and how to tackle these big challenges too.
At Waterloo, you’ll learn from celebrated experts who work with governments and regulatory bodies to make positive change in Canada and worldwide. By shaping real-life cigarette and vaping regulations and by utilizing wearable technologies to collect important patient data in a non-invasive way, your professors are saving and enhancing lives.
In a program that's fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, you can feel confident that what you learn will prepare you for your career. You’ll have the flexibility to expand your expertise through options like community learning, a health apprenticeship, independent study, an undergraduate thesis, and more.
Plus Waterloo’s top co-op program will let you explore potential careers while earning money and gaining valuable contacts.
Faculty:
Faculty of Health
Degree:
Bachelor of Public Health (BPH)
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
No
Social science focus. With lots of electives, you can easily include minors and specializations such as health informatics, health research, and aging studies as part of your degree.
Get hands-on experience in class. You'll complete a thesis, independent study, or a community placement — plus some upper year courses include field learning.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
In the world's leading co-op program, you'll explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Health and safety student officer
- Health promotions and events assistant
- Corporate events coordinator
- Residential/vocational assistant
- Health and wellness coordinator
- Rehabilitation and mental health assistant
- Junior policy analyst
- Public health analyst
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2028).
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any 4U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required)
- Any 4U Mathematics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission averages
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
How to apply?
Apply directly to this program on your application.
Get information about programs, applying, and more!
Connect with us
Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?
Please contact Clare Stevens, our Faculty of Health recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.
From the Missing Manual
Check out our Missing Manual website for tips and advice from Waterloo students and staff.
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Indigenous initiatives within the Faculty of Health
While there are many Indigenous spaces at Waterloo, students in the Faculty of Health have additional opportunities to learn about Indigenous cultures and knowledge.
Helping others holistically
In Waterloo’s Faculty of Health, Manal, a Public Health student, discovered a holistic perspective that explores diverse determinants of health while maintaining a solid grounding in science.