Degree Requirements

Course-based Stream

Comprising 5.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE)


Course Requirements:

  • 3.0 FCE (6 half core courses) in the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Concentration
  • 1.0 FCE (1 full year research project) HAD3040Y Project Practicum
  • 1.0 FCE (2 half elective courses)

Students must complete 4.0 FCEs as follows:

HAD3070H

Health Law and Risk Management for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

The electives could comprise of:

  • Option 1: 2 half courses (0.5 FCE each), or
  • Option 2: 1 half course (0.5 FCE) and 1 practicum (HAD3080H) comprising 120 hours (equivalent to 0.5 FCE)

The external practicum is in a work environment that is external to a student’s usual work environment and takes place after the student successfully completes the required courses in the MSc QIPS concentration.

Students must pick 2 courses (1.0 FCE) from the following:

HAD5777H

Leading and Managing Change: Building Adaptive Capacity

Students can opt to take elective courses offered through IHPME, or elsewhere within the University, with express permission from the QIPS Program Director and the respective instructors. 

If given permission, complete an Add/Drop form, with student and instructor signature, and submit to the QIPS Program Assistant.


Thesis Stream

Comprising 3.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE) and a thesis


Thesis Requirements:

A thesis written under the supervision of a thesis committee (supervisor and at least one, and preferably two, additional graduate faculty members) and its defense before an examination committee.

  • Thesis proposal defence. The student will organise a thesis proposal defense ideally by the start of the spring/summer term of their first year. The proposal should be submitted to the committee one month in advance of the proposal defense. The proposal defense involves a presentation of 15-20 minutes followed by questions from the supervisors. The proposal will cover:
    • The research question(s) 
    • Background and a brief literature review indicating the importance of the research 
    • A preliminary research design, including the likely methods to be used 
    • The data source(s), and 
    • A preliminary analysis plan. 
  • Thesis writing and thesis oral defense can proceed after successful completion of the proposal defense.

Course Requirements:

  • 1.5 FCE (3 half core courses)
  • 1.0 FCE (1 full year core course) Design and Methods for Thesis Research
  • 0.5 FCE (1 half elective course)

Students must complete 2.5 FCEs as follows:

In addition we recommend participating in HAD3060.

Note: HAD3041Y is a full credit course and runs throughout the academic year, Sep-May

Students must pick 1 course (0.5 FCE) from the following:

HAD5777H

Leading and Managing Change: Building Adaptive Capacity

Students can opt to take elective courses offered through IHPME, or elsewhere within the University, with express permission from the QIPS Program Director and the respective instructors.

If given permission, complete an Add/Drop form, with student and instructor signature, and submit to the QIPS Program Assistant.

Finance Your Degree

At IHPME, we offer a variety of financial supports to help you succeed in our graduate programs.

Connect with Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS)


QIPS Program Director

Christine Shea
Phone Number: 416-946-3862
Email Address: christine.shea@​utoronto.ca

Graduate Administrator

Zoe Downie-Ross
Phone Number: (416) 946-3486
Email Address: ihpme.grad.admin@​utoronto.ca

Graduate Admissions

Christina Lopez
Email Address: ihpme.admissions@​utoronto.ca

Graduate Assistant

Nadia Ismail
Phone Number: (416) 946-4100
Email Address: ihpme.grad.assist@​utoronto.ca

QIPS Program Assistant

Devrim Sen
Phone Number: 416-946-8542
Email Address: ihpme.qips.program@​utoronto.ca

Graduate Placements

Christina Lopez
Phone Number: (416) 978-1108
Email Address: ihpme.placements@​utoronto.ca