Global Health

About us
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements

Location	Email Address	Program Website
Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building, Room 5022, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J1P3	sgh_phd@yorku.ca	yorku.ca/gradstudies/global-health/

The Graduate Program in Global Health offers courses and opportunities for research leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Global Health. Graduate teaching and training cultivate critical and solutions-focused inquiry, enabling students to engage in interdisciplinary original research that is tailored to individual interests, centred around an Independent Learning Plan (ILP).

Core courses of the Program unite expertise across multiple disciplines in health, social sciences, biological sciences, and the humanities and the natural sciences, that are relevant for research and practice in global health, in areas such as but not limited to public policy, health policy, law, human rights, humanitarianism, planetary health, governance, security, systems thinking, complex evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative methods. Elective courses may be taken outside the Program based on students’ ILP.

Student supervision is provided through interdisciplinary committees comprised of Graduate Program Faculty Members with primary appointments at the School of Global Health, other Faculties and Departments at York University and, where applicable, other institutions. Students also have opportunities to engage with such as the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, Global Strategy Lab, and Global & Environmental Health Lab, and Faculty Members’ extensive global networks, to build expertise and partnerships, and receive training in Canada and internationally.

Intra- and inter-institutional cotutelles or joint degrees can be supported on a case-by-case basis. Inquiries should be directed to sgh_phd@yorku.ca and ideally, prior to application.

Admission Requirements

PhD

Master’s degree or Professional degree, minimum A- average, and
Demonstrable evidence of capacity to undertake research at the doctoral level, and
Demonstrable experience (minimum 3 years) working or studying in a context relevant to global health.

Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of 600 or equivalent. For further information regarding English Language Proficiency requirements please visit the Graduate Admissions Website.

Applications are open from October 15 to December 15 for admission to the subsequent Fall term. Applicants who meet the admission criteria are required to submit transcripts from all universities attended, two letters of reference, a statement of interest, writing sample, curriculum vitae, and a supplementary information form. They are encouraged to contact Faculty Members for their research interests and availability for supervision prior to submitting an application. Supervisor-supported applications, that is where a Faculty Member confirms willingness to supervise as explicated in the application package (e.g., through a letter or refence or notation within the statement of interest) are encouraged for all applicants. Supervisor-supported applications are mandatory for international applicants.

We welcome applicants from health and non-health backgrounds, who have experience working or studying in global contexts, and meet the admission requirements, to apply. For detailed information on the application requirements, visit the Global Health PhD Program Website.

Degree Requirements

PhD

Students are required to achieve the following to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Health, under the guidance of a supervisory committee:

Independent Learning Plan (Year 1);
Courses
- GH 6000 6.0 (Year 1),
- GH 6100 6.0 (Years 1-3),
- Electives, (Years 1-2, optional);
Comprehensive exam, including dissertation proposal (Year 2); and
Doctoral research culminating in dissertation product/s that demonstrate independence, originality, and an advanced understanding of the interdisciplinary field of global health, in accordance with the Faculty of Graduate Studies: Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines (Years 3-4).

Additional information and guidance on degree requirements are detailed in the PhD in Global Health Handbook.

Students are required to complete their degree requirements under the guidance of a supervisory committee comprising of a primary supervisor and minimum two committee members. Students are matched to a primary supervisor by the Graduate Program in Global Health at the point of admission to the Program, and latest by the first term of the first year of full-time study. They are supported in identifying minimum one committee member by the end of the first year of full-time study (i.e., at the time of their final ILP submission), and minimum two committee members by the end of the second year of full-time study (i.e., at the time of their comprehensive examination). Additional committee members may be invited. The supervisory committee, comprising minimum three members must be confirmed by the sixth term of the Program.

Additional information and guidance on the supervisory committee and doctoral supervision are detailed in the Faculty of Graduate Studies: Graduate Supervision Website and PhD in Global Health Handbook.

Students are required to complete an Independent Learning Plan (ILP) in consultation with their supervisor and, where formed, supervisory committee. The ILP is individualized, and outlines the strategies and resources needed to gain the interdisciplinary knowledge, skillsets, and expertise to fulfill doctoral research requirements and dissertation product/s.

Components of an ILP:

Summary of the global health issue to be addressed
Strategies to acquire the needed skills and content, including elective courses and/or trainings that would ensure the breadth and depth of knowledge needed for doctoral research, with a rationale for each strategy
Draft research objectives and/or questions
Theories to explore to guide research processes, including analysis
Methodologic approach
Plans for manuscripts or relevant other outputs
Student learning objectives and timeline
Supervisory committee members, including a confirmed primary supervisor and minimum one confirmed committee member, with plans for up to additional committee members

The ILP is developed in close consultation with the primary supervisor, and once identified, other committee members. A preliminary ILP is due to the primary supervisor in the first term, a refined ILP by the second term, and a final ILP by the third term of the first year of full-time study. The final ILP must be approved by the primary supervisor and identified members of the supervisory committee, and submitted to the Graduate Program in Global Health Office by the end of Year 1. In the event of failure to satisfactorily develop an ILP within the first three terms of the Program, and progress in the ILP over the course of the PhD, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the Program. The ILP may be amended in exceptional circumstances with the supervisory committee’s approval. Amended ILPs must be submitted to the Graduate Program in Global Health Office.

Students are required to complete two core courses in Year 1. Additional elective courses may be taken based on the ILP. The schedule for all courses is available on the York Courses Website.

Required courses

1. GH 6000: Fostering Transformative Change in Global Health

GH 6000 is an intensive in-person course taught over three week-long modules in Year 1 to develop students’ skills and capacity for critical and transformative problem-solving. Modules follow a unique schedule that supports students with concurrent enrolment in elective courses. The course is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

2. GH 6100: Critical Perspectives in Global Health Seminar

GH 6100 is a seminar course focussing on interdisciplinary approaches and scientific and technical innovations in Planetary Health, Humanitarianism Global Health, and related topics. Seminars are held over the Fall and Winter terms. The course is most intense in Year 1 (GH 6100) when students are required to meet every two weeks in-person. Additional meetings may also be scheduled as per the course schedule. In Year 2 (GH 6110) and Year 3 (GH 6120), students have to the option to meet in-person or on-line. In all years, the course is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

In the event of failure to satisfactorily complete GH 6000 or GH 6100 within the first two terms of the Program, and to maintain participation in GH 6100 in the second and third years of the Program, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the Program.

Elective courses

Elective course decisions are based on students’ ILP. Electives may include courses required to develop substantive knowledge or methodological skills to undertake doctoral research, or core courses required of a cotutelle arrangement. Students are encouraged to explore courses available within other Faculties and Departments at York University (or external institutions, where applicable), consult with their supervisory committee, and complete electives in Year 1 or 2.

A sample of potentially relevant courses is listed ahead. Their annual availability and formats vary. Students should seek timely support from the Graduate Program Office to secure enrollment in elective courses.

Topic	Suggested courses
Quantitative analysis	SOCI 6112 3.0 Quantitative Analysis KAHS 6020 3.0 Multivariate Analysis and Design ECON 5025 3.0 Applied Econometrics
Qualitative methods	SOCI 6060 3.00 Qualitative Methods of Research HLTH 5060 3.00 Qualitative Methods for Health Studies KAHS 6030 3.0 Qualitative Research Methods
Visual methods	ANTH 2130 6.00 Anthropology Through the Visual: Images of Resistance/Irresistible Images PRWR 4800 3.00 Advanced Workshop 1 Visual Information and Document Design FILM 6254 3.00  Critical Visualization as Media Practice: Connecting Data to Social Practice
Feminist approaches	EU/ENVS 5106 3.00 Critical Perspectives on Race, Gender and Environment GFWS 6008 3.0 Feminist Research Methodologies and Methods GFWS 6225 3.0 Feminism in Black Africa
Indigenous health	ENVS 6152 3.0 Reshaping research with Indigenous Peoples POLS 6145 3.0 Indigenous Politics: Decolonization or “Development”?
Equity and intersectionality	ANTH 5135 3.0 Globalization and Cultural Identities SOWK 5030 3.0 Oppression and Intersectionality
Global governance and political theory	ENVS 6173 3.0 Planning and Politics GS POLS 6410 6.0 The Study of Comparative Politics SPTH 6104 6.00 Social and Political Thought: Theories, Approaches, and Methods
Global health emergencies	DEMS 5082 3.0 Disaster and Emergency Management: Medical and Public Health Issues for Non-medical personnel DEMS 6073 Public Capacities for Disaster Management (Public Policy, Governance & International Response) ANTH 5225 3.0 Global Health
Global health treaties	GS LAW 3.0 6610 Legal Research HIST 5590 3.0 Transnational and Global Histories GS/SLST 6005 3.0 Advanced Research Strategies in Socio-Legal Methods
Environmental Studies	EU/ENVS 5055A 3.0 Climate Justice EU/ENVS 6275A. 3.0 International Political Economy and Ecology Summer School

Elective trainings

Students are encouraged to consult with their supervisory committee to gain access to additional trainings, certifications, and/or professional development opportunities within and outside of York University, based on their ILP.

Students are required to satisfactorily pass a comprehensive examination before advancing as candidates. The objective of the examination is to determine whether:

The student’s proposed research is suitable for doctoral research;
The student has demonstrated aptitude for conducting the proposed research by means of adequate progress and productivity in their ILP; and
The student has adequate background and intellectual ability to pursue independent research in the interdisciplinary field of global health.

The 2-3 hour examination is based on an oral presentation to a comprehensive examining committee; quality of responses to examiner questions; and a written submission. The written submission is due minimum 3 weeks prior to the oral presentation and comprises of 1) a comprehensive and critical literature review of the doctoral research topic–developed in the form of a near-complete or submitted manuscript; and 2) a research proposal articulating the questions, theory and methodologic approach including ethics oversight, where applicable, that will guide the doctoral research–developed in the form of a near-complete or submitted grant application. The student is expected to consult with their supervisory committee in preparatory stages of the examination.

The comprehensive examining committee includes the supervisory committee, an internal examiner, and an external examiner. (At the time of preparation for the comprehensive examination, the student is expected to have secured a supervisory committee, including a primary supervisor and minimum two committee members.) A chair will be appointed from the supervisory committee and/or internal examiner. The Graduate Program Director may attend, and the Graduate Program Assistant may be requested to lend administrative support. A comprehensive examination report, confirming the student’s successful passage of the examination and the final approved written submission, must be submitted to the Graduate Program in Global Health Office by the end of the second year of full-time study. In the event of failure to complete the comprehensive examination in the first six terms of the Program, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the Program.

Candidates must prepare and submit a doctoral dissertation product based on original research carried out under the supervision and guidance of a supervisory committee. The research should demonstrate the candidate’s independence, originality, and understanding of the area of investigation at an advanced level. Acceptable dissertation product formats are monograph, manuscript-based, and complex electronic and multimodal, and may follow upon the disciplinary norms in which the student’s doctoral research is rooted. All formats must contain a written component, though additional components may take on different formats in accordance with the Faculty of Graduate Studies: Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines.

The doctoral dissertation product/s must be submitted to the Graduate Program in Global Health Office, followed by an oral defense to a doctoral dissertation examining committee that centres on the dissertation and matters related to it. The doctoral dissertation examining committee includes the supervisory committee, an internal examiner, an external examiner, and a chair. The external examiner must be at arm’s length of the dissertation and have not been involved in prior student assessments such as the comprehensive examination. The Graduate Program Director, other Faculty Members, and graduate students may attend. The Graduate Program Assistant may be requested to lend administrative support. By the time of the dissertation defence, there is the strong expectation that students will have led 1-2 substantial outputs stemming from their doctoral research that have been peer-reviewed or are available for peer-review, such as publications, book chapters, technical reports, or multi/media exhibits. A doctoral dissertation examination report, confirming the doctoral dissertation examining committee’s approval of the dissertation product/s, and the final approved doctoral dissertation product/s must be submitted to the Graduate Program in Global Health Office. Students are expected to complete their doctoral dissertation by the end of the fourth year of full-time study, and in exceptional situations by the fifth year.

The PhD is to be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is Fall term. A change to enrollment status including leave of absence must be petitioned with Graduate Academic Petitions.

Normal degree completion time for full-time PhD students is 12 terms (4 years). Students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration.

All requirements for the doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

Students are required to present an annual Progress Report to their supervisory committee, detailing their progression in the PhD and successful completion of degree requirements (i.e., Program milestones such as the ILP and comprehensive examination). The approved Progress Report must be submitted to the Graduate Program in Global Health Office by May 31 in each year of enrollment in the Program.

Admission Requirements

PhD

Degree Requirements

PhD

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