PhD How to Apply

All completed applications are examined. Those that meet the general requirements of the University and program are assessed by our Admissions Committee. Admissible files will be circulated to faculty members based on the information provided by the candidates.

Interviews may be required to complete our assessment of applicants and to match candidates with potential supervisors. Interviews begin in March, so please keep us advised of any change in your address.

If the Admissions Committee approves the application, a recommendation is submitted to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (Health Sciences) for approval. Successful candidates will receive a letter of offer from the Assistant Registrar of the School of Graduate Studies. All applicants are expected to respond within the specified time to the School of Graduate Studies when accepting or declining an offer. Applicants who cannot be placed will receive notification from the Chair of the Admissions Committee.

Material sent to support an application cannot be returned.

Required Documents

After you have completed the on-line application and submitted the application fee, you will be required to send in the following items in support of your application (PDF Version):

  1. One official transcript of academic work completed to date [More]
    Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution. If the final transcript does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required. Please note that non-English transcripts must be translated and notarized.
  2. Two confidential letters of recommendation from referees [More]
    Two confidential letters of recommendation from referees who are able to comment on
    previous academic and work experience for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's ability
    to successfully complete this graduate program. Recommendations must be provided directly
    from the referees. Please download the form Confidential Report on Applicant for Admission
    to Graduate Studies.

    Confidential Letters Of Recommendation Form
  3. A three page candidate statement [More]
    A three-page candidate statement (single-spaced) that addresses (but is not limited to) the
    following:
    1. The applicant's career objectives, including how the HRM Program is relevant and preparation to date (training, publications, research grants or other scholarly work completed.)The field of specialization
    2. An overview of your research interests, including:
      1. Topic of interest (what is it and why is it important?)
      2. Dissertation research plans including specific research questions and methodologic
        areas you hope to address
    3. Identify possible faculty PhD Supervisors (maximum of three)
    4. Letters from faculty member(s) indicating willingness to supervise, interactions to date and
      appropriateness of match, given the applicant’s intended research interests are encouraged. (See HRM faculty listing for research interests – http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/grad/hrm/faculty.htm)

    Please indicate your field of specialization as one of: Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics,
    Health Services Research, Population & Public Health or Health Technology Assessment or
    HRM Classic. For more information about the fields, visit: http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/grad/hrm/fields.htm

  4. An up to date curriculum vitae
  5. A short statement of funding [More]
    A short statement of funding indicating the applicant's source of funding and/or what efforts
    are being made to secure funding. Please indicate whether you’ve applied for funding and
    specify the type (i.e., OGS, NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, Other: please specify).
  6. A Declaration of Employment form
    Declaration of Employment form
  7. TOEFL score (if applicable) [More]

    If English is not your native language, an official copy of your TOEFL score, or other evidence of competency in English is required. A minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 92 (580 on the paper-based TOEFL test or 237 on the computer-based TOEFL test) is needed for the Faculty of Health Sciences.

    Please submit all supporting documents to:

    HRM Admissions Coordinator
    Office of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (Health Sciences)
    McMaster University
    Faculty of Health Sciences
    MDCL 2235
    1280 Main Street West
    Hamilton, Ontario
    L8S 4K1

Factors that Influence Admission

  • Quality of applicant's academic record and relevance to anticipated area of study
  • References provided by the applicant
  • Availability of a suitable graduate faculty member to supervise the student
  • Suitable funding arrangements
  • Interviews with potential supervisors (following screening by the Admissions Committee)

Apply Online Now

Application Deadline

Deadline for admission in September 2013: February 1, 2013

THE ONLINE APPLICATION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR 2013 APPLICANTS
CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES

Ap0 y Online Now!

Help

For specific admissions queries, please email the Admissions Coordinator at askhsgp@mcmaster.ca.