Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Faculty of Health
Home » Health Studies

Health Studies

Health Policy, Management, and Digital Health

Health Studies (Video Transcript)

Interested in studying and improving the healthcare system? 

The Bachelor of Health Studies (BHS) program equips students with the skills to address complex health challenges through social science, policy, legal, ethical, and social justice perspectives. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the study of health systems, structures, and policies, preparing students to analyze and improve healthcare with a focus on the social determinants of health and systems thinking. Students develop broad knowledge of health policy, health management, and digital health. Whether you aim to manage healthcare systems, drive policy change, or use data and technology to improve health systems, the BHS degree provides a strong foundation for meaningful and impactful careers.

Recognized by Maclean’s magazine as one of York University’s “standout” programs, Health Studies offers the knowledge and expertise to shape the future of healthcare. 

Quick Links

Connect
Apply Now
EVENTS
March 2025
April 2025
May 2025
No event found!
Load More

Duration

4 Years

Degrees

Honours & Specialized Honours (BHS)

Intake

Fall (Sept), Winter (Jan)

Study Option

Full-time, Part-time

Delivery

In-person

Why Choose the BHS Degree at York U?

Pursue a unique degree focused on the management of healthcare systems, health policy, and digital health.

  • Explore health and healthcare issues from multiple perspectives, including sociology, law, ethics, and political science.
  • Prepare for a career in the health sector with the expertise needed for analyst roles in policy, data, research, and project management.
  • Gain real-world, hands-on experience through a 4th Year practicum or field project at a local health organization or hospital.
  • Benefit from flexibility to pursue a double major, minor, or additional certificate.

Degree Options

The honours BHS in Health Studies and the specialized honours BHS in Health Policy, Management, and Digital Health are both 120 credit degree programs that provide you with solid foundation in health studies including health policy, management of the healthcare system, and digital health.  You may apply to both of these programs directly on the OUAC or the York University online application.

  • 120 credit BHS honours degree
  • OUAC program code: YHE
  • Common core BHS curriculum
  • Has greater flexibility in course selection of electives for further studies such as medicine, law, or graduate school
  • Can be combined with a minor or with another major (double majors), or a concurrent certificate in Digital Health or Aging.
  • Provides access to an applied field project, but not to practicum. 
  • 120 credit BHS specialized honours degree
  • OUAC program code: YHY
  • Common core BHS curriculum
  • Includes additional required courses in the major, providing breadth and depth 
  • Can be combined with a concurrent certificate in Digital Health or Aging, but not with a minor or another major
  • Provides access to fourth-year practicum and applied field project

Sample Courses

  • Social Determinants of Health 
  • Health Policy: Power & Politics 
  • Essentials of Health Care Management 
  • Introduction of Health Informatics
  • Health Care Ethics 
  • Applied Research Approaches in Health Studies
  • Health Data Analytics, Machine Learning & AI
  • Healthcare Quality Improvement & Patient Safety  
  • Population Aging and Health
  • Health Care Leadership
  • Analysis and Design of Health Information Systems
  • Health and Human Rights

Admission Requirements

Health Studies – Honours Bachelor of Health Studies (BHS)
[OUAC code YHE]: 

  •  Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 
  •  ENG4U 
  • And five additional 4U or M courses. 4U Math is recommended, but not required 
  • Overall average of at least mid to high 70s 

Health Policy, Management, and Digital Health – Specialized Honours Bachelor of Health Studies (BHS) [OUAC code YHY]: 

  •  Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 
  •  ENG4U 
  • And five additional 4U or M courses.  4U Math is recommended, but not required 
  • Overall average of at least mid to high 70s 

Requirements will vary depending on your curriculum and previous training, please visit Future Students Admission Requirements for more information.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Students in the BHS program have the unique opportunity to apply their classroom learning through diverse experiential education settings, including: 

The practicum course provides Specialized honours BHS students with an optional 250-300 hour work placement experience at a health organization.

Discover health equity and real-world learning through summer abroad experiences.

Careers in Health Industry for BHS Graduates

The BHS degrees prepare graduates for careers in healthcare management, policy advising, data analysis, project management, community health, public health and health care consulting to name a few. Many of graduates start their careers in analyst roles (e.g., policy, project, or data analysis).   

  • Health Policy Advisor/Analyst
  • Medical and Academic Affairs Specialist
  • Health Manager (Finance, HR, Systems)
  • Health Care Consultant
  • Digital Health Specialist
  • Project Manager
  • Data Analyst
  • Quality & Performance Analyst

Pathway to Professional and Graduate Study 

Whether you are interested in graduate degrees (Master’s/PhD) or professional school, including law, nursing, or medicine, the BHS can provide an excellent foundation for further post-graduate study.

Learn More

Please contact us if you have any questions about applying for Faculty of Health programs, your application status, or your next steps after receiving an offer of admission.

Faculty of Health Recruitment Office
hlthrec@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 x 33164