Recreation and Leisure Studies (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.

Focus on aging, health and well-being for your PhD in Recreation and Leisure Studies with this unique collaborative PhD program offered by the Faculty of Health.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, you’ll develop a broad understanding of issues related to the health and wellbeing of our aging population while advancing your knowledge in your designated field in recreation and leisure.

The first collaborative PhD program in Canada with a focus on aging, health and wellbeing, this program 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. 

Be prepared with the training you need for a career as a scholar, researcher, or a policy analyst for government, private sector or university positions.  

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: Recreation and Leisure Studies
Faculty: Faculty of Health
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
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)

Note: Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling basis until all available spots are filled.

Key contacts

Ibelemari Kio
iokio@uwaterloo.ca

Taylor Kurta

My time in the department of Recreation and Leisure Studies has been inspiring. I am constantly reaching outside of my comfort zone to explore new ways of knowing and understanding the world around me. I love how thinking outside-the-box is celebrated, not discouraged.

Taylor Kurta, Recreation and Leisure Studies, PhD

Supervisors

  • Review finding a supervisor resources to learn how to reach out to potential supervisors. While it is not required to reach out to potential supervisors prior to applying, it is strongly recommended to ensure that the faculty member you are interested in working with is accepting new students and your research interests align.

Admission requirements

  • Normally a Master's degree with a minimum 75% average in a field that is relevant to the area of aging, health and well-being (normally kinesiology, recreation and leisure studies or health studies and gerontology, but other degrees in life and social sciences could be suitable as well)

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume/Curriculum vitae
    • Indicating past academic and professional experience
  • 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
    • Students must submit a copy of previous academic work, such as a term paper, published manuscript or master's thesis
  • References
  • 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