Faculty of Health

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Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health 

426 Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building, 416-736-5124

Degree Programs: 

  • Bachelor of arts and bachelor of arts with Honours, majoring in global health 
  • Bachelor of arts with Honours, majoring in kinesiology and health science 
  • Bachelor of arts and bachelor of arts with Honours, majoring in psychology 
  • Bachelor of arts majoring in movement and health
  • Bachelor of health studies and bachelor of health studies with Honours, all majors 
  • Bachelor of science and bachelor of science with Honours, majoring in global health 
  • Bachelor of science with Honours, majoring in kinesiology and health science 
  • Bachelor of science and bachelor of science with Honours, majoring in psychology 
  • Bachelor of science in nursing with Honours, all streams   
  • Bachelor of science majoring in movement and health

Interdisciplinary Program: 

  • Bachelor of science and bachelor of science with Honours, majoring in neuroscience  

Certificates: 

  • Certificate in Athletic Therapy 
  • Certificate in Fitness Assessment and Exercise Counselling 
  • Certificate in Psychological Methods and Data Analysis 
  • Certificate in Digital Health
  • Professional Certificate in Health Services Financial Management
  • York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program 

Organizational Structure: 

Dean: D. Peters

Associate Deans: C. Ardern, M. Hamadeh, M. Herbert, K. Page-Cutrara

Department/School

School of Global Health

Global health challenges, including chronic and communicable diseases, do not recognize borders. Public health crises or disease outbreaks in a remote part of Africa or South Asia, for example, could reach and threaten the health and well-being of people in Canada or other parts of the globe within days, if not hours. Moreover, the health of the world's population is intertwined with broader issues, including wealth disparity, environmental degradation, government policy and human rights.

York's Global Health degree (BA and BSc), in the Faculty of Health, examines these and many other issues with a focus on preparing the next generation of health leaders with the knowledge and skills to improve health for people worldwide by helping to create conditions that allow for greater health equity. This undergraduate degree program, the first of its kind in Canada, aims to produce agents of change who will fulfil leadership and advocacy positions in education, research, health systems, and business in both the public and private sectors locally, nationally and internationally.

The Global Health program offers courses leading to BA or BSc degree (Specialized Honours, Honours and Bachelor options). The Global Health BA/BSc degree will allow students to meet the requirements for post-secondary admission to professional schools and graduate programs.

Students in the BA/BSc Specialized Honours Global Health (120 credits) degree programs are required to take major courses worth 60 credits. In addition, students must choose a stream where an additional minimum of 21 credits from required elective courses must be completed. There are four streams: global health promotion and disease prevention; global health policy, systems and management; global e-health; and global health and the environment. In the final year of study, students complete an 11-week practicum course in a setting relevant to their stream. This hands-on experience can be completed either within the Greater Toronto Area, or elsewhere in Canada, or internationally.

Students in the Honours BA/BSc Global Health (120 credits) degree program are required to take major courses worth 48 credits. In this program, students have the option of completing an Honours Double Major or an Honours Major and Minor.

A Minor in Global Health consisting of core courses worth 30 credits (but not more than 42 credits) is offered to students whose degree program allows completion of a Minor.

 

School of Health Policy & Management  

The Health Studies program explores how and why our health care system must continually renew itself. The program develops students' understanding and analytic skills in becoming future leaders with vision and innovative edge. The School of Health Policy and Management offers a broad perspective on all aspects of the health care system and fosters an understanding of how the broad determinants of health such, as income and ethnicity, influence the health of Canadians. The faculty in the school are internationally recognized for their research and teaching.

The Specialized Honours program in Health Policy, Management, and Digital Health meets the growing demand for Health Studies graduates who have an inter-disciplinary understanding of these three program areas and are therefore well versed in the growing interconnectedness and complexity that increasingly characterizes health systems. The Specialized Honours program emphasizes the social, political and economic organization of society as it impacts health outcomes and health care, the diverse social and health care needs of Canadians, the role of communities, and equity and social justice as integral considerations in the development of effective health care models and systems.

Health Policy provides a strong interdisciplinary theoretical foundation drawing from political science, political economy, law, sociology, gender studies, and ethics to critically assess social, cultural and health systems and contribute to policy research, development and implementation at all levels of society and within health systems. Health Management provides a systems approach to understanding the organization and delivery of healthcare as well as how to approach problem solving and decision making to improve quality, safety, effectiveness, and equity in health systems. Digital Health provides a theory and application-based education in information management, digital health solutions, interoperable health information systems, and current debates in health informatics and digital health to support leading edge health systems.

The 120-credit Honours BHS program offers a unique approach to health systems education. The programs emphasize the organization of health care and other systems, the diversity of Canadians, the role of communities, and fairness and social justice as integral considerations in the development of effective health care models by incorporating a determinant of health approach. These concerns are incorporated into the study of the most recent developments in management practice, health planning, and use of information in health care.

The 120-credit Honours BHS program allows students to complete pre-med and other pre-health professional course requirements. In addition, students can do a double major or major-minor in conjunction with many other York programs. The School of Health Policy and Management offers an Honours BHS program in Health Studies and Specialized Honours BHS degree in Health Policy, Management, and Digital Health. Also available is an Honours Minor program in Health Policy, Management, and Digital Health and a Cross-Disciplinary Certificate in Digital Health as well as a Professional Certificate in Health Services Financial Management.

 

School of Kinesiology & Health Science  

Kinesiology and Health Science is the study of physical activity and its importance for human health, health science and society. The program addresses the continuum of human movement from the cellular level to the whole body. The curriculum presents broad and flexible offerings to the student. All students take a core of required courses encompassing the major areas of emphasis in kinesiology and health science. The core academic required courses include, biomechanics, exercise physiology, fitness and health, human anatomy, human physiology, nutrition, psychology of physical activity, research methods and statistics, sociocultural perspectives, and application of course material in a movement-based context. Students may choose from a variety of academic elective courses to develop a highly specialized area of interest or to obtain a more general and broader program of study. The academic program combines lectures, experiential laboratories, tutorials, and field experiences, thereby coupling theory and technical knowledge with applied experiences. Students can apply for specialized certifications in the areas of athletic therapy, aging, or fitness assessment and exercise counselling.

 

School of Nursing  

The Bachelor of Science in nursing (BScN Honours) degree focuses on the development of the theoretical, scientific and philosophical knowledge. The role of nurses, through relational practice and by promoting and preserving health and well-being, is emphasized through both theory and self-reflective practicum experiences. Graduates will be prepared to practise collaboratively in a variety of settings to enhance individual, family, community and global health.

 

Department of Psychology  

The Department of Psychology offers a curriculum spanning introductory to advanced-level courses. BA and BSc degrees are offered and programs include 3 year 90 credit, 4 year Honours, and 4 year Specialized Honours.

The Department of Psychology offers a curriculum which begins with a broad introductory survey of the various areas of enquiry within the discipline of psychology and the various applications of psychological knowledge. Insofar as possible, courses are offered in multiple sections with alternative formats so that students may select the format which most nearly meets their needs. It is the intention of the Department of Psychology to serve the needs of students whose interests in the discipline range from curiosity to commitment.

Second year courses provide foundational knowledge in contemporary psychology, statistics and methodology, and writing in psychology. The intermediate level of the curriculum then provides choice from a wide range of courses which examine areas of psychology in greater depth. At the advanced level, courses are typically offered in seminars. Students are encouraged to select a wide range of courses and a high degree of flexibility is possible within the programs offered. For specific program requirements please consult the Faculty of Health Programs of Study section.

Admission to all 2000-, 3000- and 4000-level courses in psychology (with the exception of HH/PSYC 2020 6.00, HH/PSYC 2021 3.00 and HH/PSYC 2022 3.00 which may be taken concurrently with HH/PSYC 1010 6.00 as a co-requisite) is conditional upon satisfactory completion of Introduction to Psychology, HH/PSYC 1010 6.00. Courses in psychology normally meet for at least three hours a week, for one term (three credits - course numbers end in "3.00") or for two terms (six credits - course numbers end in "6.00"). Students cannot obtain credit for two sections of the same course, except for independent study courses.

Some 3000- and 4000-level courses may require HH/PSYC 2020 6.00 (or equivalent) and HH/PSYC 2030 3.00 as a prerequisite. Students should note that the material taught in this course may be important for them in their chosen career or in graduate work. Students might also consider taking HH/PSYC 3010 3.00 as preparation for work in the final academic session.

Students in all psychology courses are encouraged to learn about psychological research by participating as subjects in research projects conducted under the supervision of the Department of Psychology.

Not all of the courses listed below will necessarily be offered in any given year or term.

For details of courses to be offered, please consult the psychology supplemental calendar.

3000-Level Courses

Note for students: to be eligible to enrol in 3000-level psychology courses, students must have: at least 54 earned credits, HH/PSYC 1010 6.00 and all additional course prerequisites.

 

4000-Level Courses

Note for Health students: to be eligible to enrol in 4000-level psychology courses, students must be in the Honours Psychology program and have successfully completed at least 84 credits. Further, all 4000-level psychology courses have the following general prerequisites:

  • HH/PSYC 1010 6.00
  • HH/PSYC 2030 3.00;
  • one of HH/PSYC 2020 6.00 or HH/PSYC 2021 3.00.

Some 4000-level psychology courses have prerequisites in addition to the general prerequisites listed above.

 

Interdisciplinary Program

Neuroscience

A brain or nervous system illness or injury will affect one in three Canadians in their lifetime. Understanding the brain and nervous system to address neurological and mental health disorders is one of the most pressing scientific challenges of our time.

The interdisciplinary nature of York’s undergraduate program gives students access to renowned researchers working in many different areas of neuroscience. The program’s small size encourages collaboration amongst students, faculty members, and community partners as they investigate the development, structure, and function of the nervous system including the ways it can change – whether naturally or through human intervention.

York’s undergraduate Neuroscience program has several unique features. Based on their interests, students choose one of three entry pathways by selecting Biology, Kinesiology & Health Science, or Psychology as their home program. The adventure begins with a solid science curriculum in first year, including the keystone course Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Each year then builds on the successes of the prior year. Students experience a broad neuroscience foundation in second year. In third year, they develop their understanding by choosing courses from the three specialization streams (cellular/molecular, cognitive/behavioural, or systems neuroscience), and put it all together with a stimulating, research-based capstone course in fourth year.