Roadmap

This at a glance guide will help you navigate what to expect in the HSR PhD program. 

This roadmap is based on a three to four year completion for a full-time student. 


Pre-entry 

Apply to scholarships (optional, but recommended)

Intake Meeting (emphasis lead and supervisor). Discuss program timelines, courses, and funding

Register for fall courses (mid-August)  

Year 1

Complete a portion of the 10 required courses – usually taken in the first year (dependent on your emphasis)

Form the thesis committee (minimum 3 members including your supervisor)

Minimum of 6 meetings with your supervisor and 2 meetings with your committee

Attend program orientation in September

Take 3-5 half-year courses including HAD5011H and HAD6760H

  • Leverage HAD6760 to do the literature review for your thesis proposal and identify a relevant conceptual framework  

Defer tuition in Acorn if needed (deadline early September)

Apply for scholarships eg. CGS-D, Vanier (optional, but recommended)

Register for winter courses (October)

Take 3-5 half-year courses including HAD6770H

  • Leverage HAD6770H to identify research methodologies relevant to your thesis. You can either use this course to help develop your thesis proposal methods or to identify additional courses to take (e.g., health economics, qualitative research methods)

Apply for scholarships e.g. OGS (optional, but recommended)

Register for summer courses (late-March)

Take any relevant required or elective courses

Schedule a Progress Meeting (emphasis lead & supervisor) to review program progress and funding

Year 2

Take the remainder of the 10 required courses (comprehensive course taken in Year 2, generally winter or spring term)

Minimum of 6 meetings with your supervisor and 2 meetings with your committee 

Take 0-2 half-year courses (depending on number of courses remaining from required 10)

  • Whenever possible, courses should be leveraged to develop the methods for your thesis proposal

Defer tuition in Acorn if needed (deadline early September)

Apply for scholarships eg. CGS-D, Vanier (optional, but recommended)

Register for winter courses (October)

Take 0-2 half-year courses (depending on number of courses remaining from required 10)

  • Comprehensive course runs in winter session for some emphases
  • Whenever possible, courses should be leveraged to develop the methods for your thesis proposal

Apply for scholarships eg. OGS (optional, but recommended)

Register for summer courses (late-March) 

Comprehensive course for some emphases

Schedule a Progress Meeting (emphasis lead & supervisor) to review program progress and funding

Year 3

Complete and defend thesis proposal

  • Note: thesis proposal may be completed before comprehensive exam, refer to graduate assistant for approval form

Submit research ethics application for research (after thesis proposal is defended)

Begin data collection for thesis

Minimum of 6 meetings with your supervisor and 2 meetings with your committee 

Year 4

Minimum of 6 meetings with your supervisor and 2 meetings with your committee

Review the Important dates as you prepare to defend

Complete data collection and analysis for your thesis 

Write the thesis

Identify internal and external appraiser and submit defence form to IHPME (8 weeks before defence – see handbook for steps leading up to the defence)

Defence

Complete thesis revisions, submit final thesis to SGS (in April for June convocation or September for November convocation- see SGS Calendar for specific thesis deadlines)

Convocation (June or November)

Finance Your Degree

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

Learn More About this Program


HSR Program Director

Katie N. Dainty
Email Address: katie.dainty@​utoronto.ca

Co-leads the management of the HSR Program.

Graduate Administrator

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

Coordinates student records, graduate funding, and student-related awards.

Graduate Admissions

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

Manages admissions and responds to all related inquiries.

Graduate Assistant

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

Coordinates various graduate initiatives including defences, student events, and graduation.

HSR Program Assistant

Anita Morehouse
Phone Number: 416-946-3922
Email Address: ihpme.hsr.courses@​utoronto.ca

Manages the HSR courses including enrolment, grades, and access to Quercus.