Program requirements

Social Dimensions of Health Student Handbook

The SDH Student Handbook and Graduate Calendar contains a wealth of information on program requirements and resources.

These are resources to help you navigate the program and find information on:

• course descriptions
• defenses
• exams
• leaves of absence
• program descriptions
• registration
• tuition

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 information in this handbook and Graduate Calendar, the Graduate Calendar should be followed.

Courses

Course descriptions are available in the Graduate Calendar.

Program structure

You will typically complete the 4 SDH core courses, methods courses, and electives over the 1st year of the program (3 terms).

The 4 SDH core courses have been designed to cover foundational topics in interdisciplinary health research and to demonstrate the breadth of relevant research taking place at the University of Victoria.

In addition to the four core courses, you will take 2 approved methods courses and 2 approved electives.

Consult the SDH program section of the Graduate Calendar for an up-to-date list of approved methods and elective courses. Work with your supervisory committee to identify the best courses to support your learning.

If you require training in a specific topic for which no course is available at the University of Victoria, you may be able to take a graduate course at another university in Western Canada — refer to the Western Deans’ Agreement and Application Form.

You also have the option of a creating and taking a Directed Studies course for credit (SDH 690).

Consult the SDH Student Handbook for more information and discuss course options with your supervisory committee.

Candidacy (SDH 693)

Once you have completed your coursework, you will register in the candidacy examination (SDH 693) each term until the requirements are complete.

Candidacy exams will normally be completed by the end of your 2nd year (or 6th term) in the program.

The purpose of the candidacy exam is to prepare you for the dissertation process through intensive reading and synthesis of literature in your area of focus and oral defense of your work. Consult the SDH Student Handbook for more information on the Candidacy Examination.

Upon successful defense of the candidacy exam, your committee is required to notify the SDH program assistant by completing the candidacy examination form. You are then approved to begin your dissertation research.

Dissertation (SDH 699)

You will register in the dissertation course (SDH 699) each term until the requirements are complete. Before beginning your dissertation research, you will prepare a dissertation proposal and defend it to your supervisory committee in an oral examination (normally within 3 months of defending your candidacy examination).

Upon successful defense of the dissertation proposal, your committee is required to notify the SDH program assistant by email. You are then approved to begin your dissertation research, typically beginning with the completion of an ethics application. Consult the SDH Student Handbook and Graduate Calendar for more information on the dissertation proposal and dissertation research requirements.