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Focus on preventing illness, not simply treating people once they get sick. At Waterloo, you’ll learn how to promote healthy lifestyles, improve health care systems, and bring together the science and the social aspects of health.
Whether you opt for the regular or co-op stream, Health Studies – similar to Health Science programs at other universities – gives you the skills for improving human health, along with lots of room for electives. And with five specializations and dozens of campus-wide minors, you can tailor your studies to your specific areas of interest.
You’ll graduate with the skills to tackle global health pandemics such as COVID-19, transform public health policy, and pave the way for new medical breakthroughs.
With small tutorial sizes right from first year, you’ll really get to know your classmates — and your world-renowned professors.
Make lasting bonds through the Health Living-Learning Community, mentorship programs, and health-related student clubs.
Learn why our Health Studies student ambassadors chose their program... and ask them any questions about what it's like!
Laavanya chose the program because of its multidisciplinary nature. Since graduating, Laayanya has been admitted to medical school to pursue her goal of becoming a physician.
On average, 57% of Health Studies grads are in professional or graduate school within one year of graduating
Specializations and options to customize your degree
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
Admission averages: Regular: Low 80s | Co-op: Mid-80s
The following courses are recommended: Advanced Functions, Physics (for students interested in the Pre-Health Professions specialization)
We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
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About half of the classes you’ll take will be Health courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View all the courses required for your degree.
HLTH 310 – Development, Aging, and Health
HLTH 341 – Principles of Pathobiology
HLTH 443 – Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases
HLTH 461 – Experimental Methods in Psychoneuroimmunology
Offered by the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Apply directly to this program on your application
Join the Health Studies Living-Learning Community
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the areas of focus in the program.
You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for Health Studies students include Gerontology, Psychology, Human Nutrition, Pre-clinical, and Health Research.
Your degree lays the foundation for a career in health professions such as medicine, clinical research, epidemiology, and occupational health. Or, go on to pursue an accelerated master’s degree in our School of Public Health and Health Systems.
Learn about the future of careers in health and helping professions.
While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, these are common areas where graduates pursued a master's, PhD, or other professional program.
