McMaster University launches Canada’s first graduate diploma in community and public health

Canada’s first graduate diploma in community and public health was launched at McMaster University on Jan. 16.

Slated to begin in September 2023, the part-time diploma program will be delivered exclusively online, providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to forge a rewarding career in community and public health.

“While there are several Master of Public Health programs available across Canada, including our own, many working professionals and recent graduates may not need the depth or breadth of training a Master’s program provides,” said Alfonso Iorio, chair of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact.

“With this diploma, prospective students will be exposed to a flexible, yet robust, online curriculum taught by faculty members whose research programs continue to inform public health policy and practice here in Canada and around the world.”

Comprised of four courses, which can be completed in as little as 16 months, the diploma program will focus on providing students with a systematic understanding of public health principles, knowledge translation, program planning and evaluation.

Future graduates will have the confidence and skillset to critically analyze current problems facing community health and develop innovative solutions using cutting-edge research and best practices, Iorio said.

“Our aim is not simply to arm our learners with a graduate diploma, but to empower them to tackle the most pressing community and public health issues of our time with confidence and compassion,” said Iorio.