Public Health

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.

Co-op or regular in the Faculty of Health: what’s right for me?

Graduates typically pursue careers in community health centres, public health departments, social services agencies, non-profit organizations concerned with social justice and social services, and health consulting.

Recent graduates

• Public Health Promoter – Huron County Health Unit
• Policy Analyst – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Consultant, Strategy Management – Lakeridge Health 
• Information and Communications Technology System & Instructional Technologist – Centre for the Evaluation of Health Professionals
• Solutions Consultant – NexJ Health Inc.
• Life Enrichment Therapist – Halton Region Services for Seniors

Learn about the future of careers in health and helping professions.

Further education

While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, graduates commonly pursue a master's, PhD, or other professional program in areas such as public health, epidemiology, health promotion, or social work.

What’s the difference between Public Health and similar programs at other universities?

Waterloo’s program takes a systems approach to disease prevention and treatment, so you can understand how to influence the many factors that affect health. As a Public Health student, you’ll be well-prepared for healthcare careers in the future because you’ll be exposed to subjects that will grow increasingly important over time, such as leveraging information technology, understanding the aging population, mental health, and more. With many small class opportunities like labs and tutorials, over 40 health-related courses to choose from, and experiential learning opportunities like co-op and our EDGE certificate program, you’ll have a distinct advantage when entering the workforce or applying to further studies.

Should I take this program if I’m interested in pursuing medical school or another clinical health profession?

While you may use Public Health as a stepping stone to clinical health professions such as medicine, there are very few required science courses so it isn’t designed to be a preparatory program for clinical health professions. Instead, you’ll focus on understanding systemic barriers affecting health such as socioeconomic status and apply this knowledge to prevent disease within communities. If you’re interested in public health and clinical health professions, you should consider Health Sciences.

Does this program lead to a career as an Environmental Public Health Professional (EPHP) or Public Health Inspector?

While this program is excellent preparation for a range of careers in healthcare, government and social services, and health technology, it is not an accredited EPHP program.

Is this program available online?

No. While you may be able to take some courses online, most courses required for the degree are available through in-person classes only.

How long does it take to complete this program?

It takes four years to complete this program as a full-time student through the regular system of study in which you’ll take courses between September and April each year and have your summers off. You can also choose the co-op system of study where you’ll alternate between full-time studies and full-time jobs relating to your program. A co-op program takes five years to complete – and you’ll graduate with nearly two years of paid work experience.