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School of Public Health & Social Policy

Social Dimensions of Health program planning

This page summarizes the requirements and structure of the Social Dimensions of Health (SDH) graduate program.

The SDH student handbook contains detailed information on program requirements and other resources.

SDH student handbook
404KB PDF file

In addition to the handbook, we recommend you check out the graduate calendar for course descriptions as well as information on theses and dissertations, candidacy exams and defenses.

The graduate calendar is updated at the beginning of each term, while the SDH student handbook is updated annually. In the case of a discrepancy between the handbook and graduate calendar, the graduate calendar will be followed.

Course requirements

Master of Arts (MA), Science (MSc) and Doctorate (PhD) students attend many of the same courses, with pedagogical expectations differing depending on the level of study. Master's students will enroll in 500-level courses while doctorate students will enroll in 600-level core courses but can enroll in 500-level methodology and elective courses.

Core courses

  • SDH 500A or 600A: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health Research (1.5 units)
  • SDH 500B or 600B: Interdisciplinary Methods Applied to Health Research (1.5 units)
  • SDH 501A or SDH 601A: Social Dimensions of Health Perspectives Colloquium I (1.5 units)
  • SDH 501B or SDH 601B: Social Dimensions of Health Methods Colloquium II (1.5 units)

Methodology courses

  • 2 methodology courses (1.5 units each) from the approved list in graduate calendar based on your degree (3.0 units each)

Elective courses

  • 2 electives (1.5 units each) from the approved list in graduate calendar based on your degree (3.0 units each)

MA/MSc only

  • SDH 599: Thesis (6.0 units)

PhD only

  • SDH 693: Candidacy Exam (3.0 units)
  • SDH Dissertation (15.0 units)

You will complete the core courses, methods courses and electives over the first year of your program (3 terms).

The 4 SDH core courses cover foundational topics in interdisciplinary health research and show the breadth of research taking place at UVic.

In addition to these courses, you will take 2 approved methodology courses and 2 approved elective courses. Please review the Graduate Calendar program page for your degree (MA, MSc, or PhD) for an up-to-date list of approved electives. We recommend that you work with your supervisory committee to choose courses that best support your learning.

If you require training in a specific topic for which no course is available, you may be able to take a course at another university in Western Canada. Refer to the Western Deans' Agreement for more information.

You also have the option of creating and taking a directed studies course for credit (SDH 590 or 690). Review the student handbook for more information. 

MA/MSc requirements

Thesis (SDH 599)

Before starting your thesis, you must prepare a thesis proposal and defend it to your supervisory committee in an oral exam. This takes place before you begin the second year of your program.

Once your proposal is defended successfully, your committee will notify the SDH program assistant. You may then begin your thesis research.

Each semester, you will register in the thesis course (SDH 599) each term until you complete the requirements.

You will defend your thesis in an oral examination.

More information on the master’s thesis requirements is available in the student handbook.

PhD requirements

Candidacy (SDH 693)

Once you have completed your coursework, you will register in the candidacy examination course (SDH 693) each term until the requirements are complete. Exams are normally completed by the end of your second year (or sixth term) in the program.

The purpose of the candidacy exam is to prepare you for the dissertation process. This involves intensive reading and synthesis of literature in your area focus and an oral defense of your work.

Once your candidacy exam is defended successfully, your committee will notify the SDH program assistant upon which time SDH 693 will be considered completed.

More information on the candidacy exam is available in the student handbook.

Dissertation (SDH 699)

You will begin your dissertation research by enrolling in SDH 699. The first requirement involves preparing a dissertation proposal. You’ll then defend it to your supervisory committee in an oral examination (normally within 3 months of defending your candidacy examination)

Once you've successfully defended your proposal, your committee will notify the SDH program assistant. After this process, you are approved to begin your dissertation research, which typically begins with the completion of an ethics application.

You will defend your dissertation in an oral examination.

More information on the doctoral dissertation is available in the student handbook. 

Have questions?

If you have any questions about the SDH program requirements, please consult the SDH handbook and graduate calendar before reaching out to your co-supervisor(s).

Concerns about academic standing and program policies can be directed to the SDH graduate adviser. The SDH program assistant can assist with administrative concerns.