Dean's Office:
B.C. Matthews Hall (BMH), Third floor
General inquiries email
519-888-4567, ext. 31346
Since its inception in 1967, the Faculty of Health has grown from the world's first department of kinesiology into a multidisciplinary incubator for innovative programs and educational resources dedicated to human health and well-being.
Known for advancements in both basic and applied research, our faculty members have included the pioneers of human biomechanics, experts in work-life balance, and leaders in international health policy. They continue to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries to explore creative solutions to complex health challenges.
Milestones
Year | Milestone |
---|---|
1967 | First students enrolled in four-year, honours co-op program; Senate approves establishment of world's first Department of Kinesiology (formerly Department of Athletics and Physical Education within School of Physical and Health Education) effective January 1, 1968 |
1968 | Recreation and Leisure Studies undergraduate program (granted senate approval in 1967) and Department of Recreation established; School name changed to School of Physical Education and Recreation |
1970 | Regular Kinesiology program approved |
1972 | MSc program in Kinesiology approved; Health Studies Option (program) and Dance Option (program) implemented |
1974 | Dance gains independent program status |
1975 | Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies approved; students admitted in 1976 |
1976 | Kinesiology establishes PhD programs in Psychomotor Behaviour and Sociology of Sport |
1978 | School of Anatomy, Department of Health Studies established; BSc and MSc in Health Studies approved |
1989 | Waterloo launches PhD in Health Studies; first student admitted 1990 |
1990 | Human Kinetics and Leisure Studies becomes Faculty of Applied Health Sciences |
1993 | Department of Health Studies merges with Gerontology program to become Department of Health Studies and Gerontology; Waterloo establishes Canada's first doctoral program in Recreation and Leisure Studies (students admitted in 1994) |
1998 | MSc and PhD in Health Studies receive approval to incorporate Gerontology into programs |
2001 | Master of Tourism, Policy, and Planning established (students admitted in 2002) |
2002 | Undergraduate majors in Recreation and Business, and in Therapeutic Recreation approved; Master of Health Informatics program established with Computer Science |
2005 | Senate approves Canada's first PhD program in Aging, Health and Wellbeing; students admitted in 2006 |
2006 | Master of Public Health program |
2007 | Senate approves PhD program in Work and Health; students admitted 2008 |
2009 | Recreation and Leisure Studies adds part-time studies in all undergraduate majors |
2010 | Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies renames Recreation and Business major to Recreation and Sport Business and establishes new undergraduate major in Tourism and Parks Management (effective 2011) |
2011 |
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology becomes School of Public Health and Health Systems; Master of Social Work program approved by Senate (delivered by Renison University College; degree granted by Applied Health Sciences) |
2012 |
Health Promotion program (regular and co-op) established; Propel Centre for Population Health Impact established as Senate-approved research centre |
2013 |
Master of Health Evaluation program established; Master of Arts in Tourism, Policy, and Planning renamed to Master of Arts in Tourism |
2015 |
Course-based stream of Master of Science in Kinesiology established; MSc and PhD in Health Studies and Gerontology renamed to Public Health and Health Systems; Undergraduate major in Tourism and Parks Management renamed to Tourism Development; Bachelor of Health Promotion changed to Bachelor of Public Health |
2016 |
Accelerated master’s plans in Public Health and Health Systems approved |
2017 |
Collaborative PhD in Public Health and Health Systems – Water approved; Master of Tourism inactivated |
2018 | Global Health Policy and Innovation Research Centre established as Senate-approved research centre |
2020 | Senate approves Faculty name change to the Faculty of Health, effective January 1, 2021 |