Health Equity and Sustainability

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The Future of Global Health Equity

The Health Equity and Sustainability (HES) field in the Advanced Health Care Practice master's program is a one-year, fully online program grounded in principles of equity and justice. The program addresses environmental, socio-economic, and political factors that shape health across the life course and develops current and future health leaders and global citizens.

Building Sustainable Health Solutions

As a student in the program you will explore past, current, and future health equity and sustainability issues. Through courses in Global Health, Health Equity, and Climate Change & Health, you’ll learn to identify and implement actionable and sustainable health solutions, including those related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Across the year-long program you’ll develop practical skills related to:

  • Critical appraisal and evidence-based practice
  • Design and implementation of health programs and interventions
  • Oral and written communication to diverse audiences across geographies and sectors
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration, thought and evidence co-creation

Interested in learning more about this program?


The Complexity of Health Around the World

As a student in the program, you’ll focus on understanding the complex interactions of the social, cultural, and environmental forces that shape one’s health.

You’ll learn how the contexts and conditions in which people are born, grow up, live, work and age influence their opportunities to be healthy. This understanding will prepare you to address the differences in health status across groups in society, and tackle the design and implementation of health services, policy, research, and decision-making to address key health challenges.

Admission and Applying/Tuition and Fees

General Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the following general requirements.

  • A minimum bachelor's degree from a recognized university and at least a (B) standing (or equivalent) over the final two years of the program
  • Advanced computer skills
  • Evidence of prior work experience in a related field may strengthen the application
  • Two references
    • Academic (if attended university within the last five years) and professional
  • Demonstrated English language proficiency, including both written and oral communication
    • See below for more information
  • Completion of supplemental questionnaire

English Language Proficiency

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following: 
  • Applicants who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to complete one of the above tests or programs and to have the official results sent directly to SGPS by the testing agency. 
  • The English language proficiency requirements outlined above do not apply to students from Quebec 

Applying to the Program

Have questions about applying?

Email ahcp@uwo.ca.

To apply to the Advanced Health Care Practice program, students should:

  • Visit the online application website
  • Follow the instructions on that page to access the application
  • Select "Advanced Health Care Practice" from the program options in the application and select the appropriate field

Application Deadline

  • Applications will open November 1 and close April 30th

Tuition and Fees

The annual domestic tuition fee for this program is approximately $14,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).

The annual international tuition fee for this program is approximately $37,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).

These fees are subject to change and are set by Western University. Instructions for students paying tuition from a Canadian bank are available from the Office of the Registrar.

***Please note all fees including mentorship fees and course fees are currently under review and are subject to change and adjustment*

OSAP Eligible

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Program Structure and Course Offerings

Degree Requirements

Through the completion of six courses and a capstone experience (mentorship), graduates of this program earn a Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) degree.

  • Three (3) required courses
  • Three (3) elective courses
  • Capstone Experience

Learn more about elective course offerings.

Required Courses

  • APPLHSCI 9002: Equity and Health Systems
  • One of:
    • APPLHSCI 9017: Implementation Science in Practice
    • APPLHSCI 9018: Environment, Health and Sustainability
  • One of:
    • APPLHSCI 9003: Global Health
    • APPLHSCI 9010: Health Services, Systems and Policy

Fall Term (September - December)

  • Course #1
  • Course #2
  • APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience

Winter Term (January - April)

  • Course #3
  • Course #4
  • APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience (continued)

Summer Term (May - August

  • Course #5
  • Course #6
  • APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience (continued)

Capstone Experience

The Capstone Experience consists of a non-clinical mentorship opportunity in a health setting. A minimum of 100 hours will be completed under the supervision of one or more approved mentors. The self-directed experience is unique to each learner and allows students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and abilities while working towards developing chosen competencies including, interprofessional collaboration, self-awareness and reflexivity, critical reasoning and problem-solving, evidence-based leadership, systems thinking and applied expertise.  

Students will consult with their professional mentors and capstone advisor to determine the learning objectives and goals for the duration of the capstone experience. 

Students will identify potential mentorship opportunities in their own community, academic setting, and/or work environment. The mentor can be an individual from your own professional network. For example, some students who have employment in the health field have used the capstone experience as a professional development opportunity at their current place of employment, while others have found experiences in settings across the health sector from research, education, clinical, government/regulatory, or commercial (startups to large health companies). We have had students in the past work with physicians, physiotherapists, hospital administrators and even Canadian Blood Services, to name a few.  

Often these projects involve policy/program evaluations, policy/program development, quality improvement projects, data collection as part of research, scoping or systematic reviews, leadership/management experience.

Students work on their capstone throughout the year, enrolling the capstone course each term. The experience is unique to each learner and allows students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and abilities while working towards developing chosen competencies.

Capstone FAQ

What are some examples of Capstone projects?

Often these projects involve policy and/or program evaluations, policy and/or program development, quality improvement projects, data collection as part of research, scoping or systematic reviews, enhancing leadership/management experience. 

Examples of some previous projects:  

  • Hospital Surge Planning for Vulnerable Populations
  • Exploring the impact of social determinants of health on mental and physical well-being among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Communities in Canada – A Scoping Review
  • Essential Care Partner Policy at a Regional Health Centre – VP of Clinical Transformation
  • Developing a framework to support collaboration among partners in Innovation and Health Sciences
  • Program evaluation of occupational therapy tiered service programming in SK and SK-attached classrooms

Who can I select as a capstone mentor?

Students will identify potential mentorship opportunities which are local to them within their own community, academic setting, and/or work environment. The mentor can be an individual from your own professional network. For example, some students who have employment in the health field have used the capstone experience as a professional development opportunity at their current place of employment, while others have found experiences in settings across the health sector from research, education, clinical, government/regulatory, or commercial (startups to large health companies). We have had students in the past work with physicians, physiotherapists, hospital administrators and researchers.  The Program Office and Academic leads will support you in this process and strategies on how to secure a mentor.

Where to look for a capstone mentor?

The capstone experience starts with searching for a mentor in a field that you are interested in. 

  • Think of professional or non-professional contacts 
  • Search sources like LinkedIn
  • Email hospital or NGO volunteer offices
  • Contact Western career services for advice
  • Re-connect with peers from your previous studies

What is involved in being a Capstone mentor?

In addition to supervising your 100 hours, they must also attend a minimum of three meetings with you, the student, and Capstone Advisor (start, mid-point, and final check-ins). Your Capstone Advisor will be able to outline the criteria for an appropriate mentor and provide some guidance on how to find a mentor.  

Students will consult with their professional mentors and capstone advisor to determine the learning objectives and goals for the duration of the capstone experience. The professional mentor should expect to provide the learning opportunity; participate in defining learning outcomes, activities, and deliverables; and provide feedback at the midterm and final.

Can you complete your capstone experience at your place of work?

Yes, but the project must be separate from your paid activities.  

Is the Capstone Experience in person? 

Depending on the project, students’ Capstone Experiences may require varying levels of in-person activities; however, students participate in mentorship opportunities that are local to them within their own communities, workplaces, etc.  Students have also arranged for hybrid and remote options.

Does opting into the CHE designation affect the Capstone Experience?

If you opt in to the CHE, you must complete a CHE-designed capstone experience that includes: 

  • Meeting regularly with your CHE mentor 
  • Developing an organizational change, strategic planning or program evaluation project 
  • Organizing and facilitating a program-wide leadership day in collaboration with the other CHE students 

Students who opt into the CHE stream, will be placed in a designated Capstone cohort where their Advisor will help ensure that their projects meet the criteria required for them to pursue their CHE designation.  

After students have been offered a spot and accepted: 

If you have a potential Capstone Mentor/project in mind, I can connect you with one of our Capstone Advisors (i.e., course instructors) for them to assess their suitability. 

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Health Equity and Sustainability field of the Advanced Health Care Practice Master’s Program will be able to:

  • Apply an equity lens to the analysis of local, system, and global healthcare challenges and responses, including those connected to public health emergencies, humanitarian crises, and climate change.
  • Understand the historical, social, and structural determinants of inequity in health.
  • Identify, analyze, and (re)imagine drivers of health system change (at micro, meso, and macro levels) to support equity and sustainability.
  • Understand political and practical considerations in the design and implementation of evidence-based programming, initiatives, and interventions related to health equity and sustainability.
  • Appraise the scope and complexity of the multi- and inter-disciplinary body of knowledge in health equity and sustainability.
  • Develop an understanding of the concepts of critical thinking and critical analysis, and appreciate how these skills and approaches inform the examination of health ethics, equity, and sustainability.
  • Articulate the importance and meanings of attending to equity and sustainability considerations in the analysis of complex issues.
  • Act in accordance with professional protocols with a focus on academic integrity and ethical conduct, autonomy and accountability, and commitment to personal and professional growth.
  • Appropriately communicate integrated understandings of health equity and sustainability to diverse audiences.
  • Formulate evidence-informed and convincing arguments within inter-professional and interdisciplinary teams.

Opt In To The Certified Health Executive (CHE) Certificate

As a student in Advanced Health Care Practice master's program, you're eligible for advanced standing toward the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation.

The CHE is Canada's top professional leadership designation for healthcare leaders looking to expand their institutional leadership career.

Canadian College of Health Leaders logo Western is now a LEADS Canada certified learning provider supporting the CHE designation. The LEADS framework was established by the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and addresses health leadership for individuals, organizations, and broader systems.

If you opt in to the CHE, you must complete the following:

  • Submit a detailed project proposal by mid-September
  • Complete APPLHSCI 9001 (required) and APPLHSCI 9015 (elective)
  • Complete a LEADS 360 Assessment and 90-minute debriefing
  • Complete a CHE-designed capstone experience that includes:
    • Meeting regularly with your CHE mentor
    • Developing an organizational change, strategic planning or program evaluation project
    • Organizing and facilitating a program-wide leadership day in collaboration with the other CHE students

For more information, email: ahcp@uwo.ca