Admissions FAQ | Health Quality Programs

Please find below the MScHQ and PhDHQ frequently asked admissions questions. If you are seeking FAQs about each specific program, please click here for MScHQ and click here for PhDHQ.

What transcripts do you require?

The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA) requires all transcripts from any post-secondary academic institution that you attended. SGSPA guidelines are listed below. For all transcript related inquiries, please contact SGSPA directly (sgspa.reception@queensu.ca)

Hard copy original official transcript showing degree completion and conferral, will be required from all applicants who accept an offer of admission to graduate studies at Queen's University. These final transcripts are to be sent directly from the issuing institutions to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, in sealed envelopes.

SGSPA also accepts official transcripts via secure electronic transmission (e.g. MyCreds, Parchment). When ordering transcripts electronically, please ensure the recipient address is sgspa.reception@queensu.ca (you may need to select 'Send to Third Party' and enter the address manually, instead of using the default 'Queen's University' address). Note: we do not accept transcripts emailed by applicants; they must be transmitted directly by the issuing institution.

Hard copy transcripts sent from the issuing university should be sent to:

School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
Queen's University
Gordon Hall Room 425
74 Union Street
Kingston, Ontario Canada
K7L 3N6

What GPA is required for the program?

MScHQ

A 3.0 GPA is required from the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs for acceptance to a graduate program. The MScHQ program calculates your GPA from your last two academic years of study at an accredited university.

PhDHQ

The overall grade point average required is B+ at the master's level as per the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs' regulation.

Will you consider an applicant with a lower GPA and extenuating circumstances?

Both programs are competitive programs, however we understand that extenuating circumstances may arise. There is a section of the SGSPA online application where applicants can disclose special circumstances that they would like the admissions committee to consider.

Do you require professional or academic references?

Applicants may submit either professional or academic references to fulfill the admission requirements. References must be submitted directly from the referee to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs according to the instructions in the online application system. Documents forwarded by applicants will not be accepted.

What courses do you require for admissions?

MScHQ

We require that you have taken a statistics course during your post-secondary academic studies. If you do not meet this requirement, you may complete a three (3) credit accredited undergraduate statistics course prior to academic intake (May). Queen's University Arts & Science Online offers an online undergraduate statistics course called STAM 200 (formerly BIOL 243) that we recommend. Additionally, if you are unsure if the statistics course you've taken satisfies the prerequisite requirements, you can read more about the necessary components of acceptable statistics courses here. If you are still unsure whether the course you took meets our requirements, feel free to email a copy of a detailed course syllabus to hqprograms@queensu.ca.

PhDHQ

You must have completed or in the process of completing a project based or thesis based research master's degree in health, health-related law, business, architecture, or engineering. The degree must be completed by May prior to academic intake. Potential applicants who have master's degrees in other disciplines would be encouraged to discuss the suitability of the degree with the Associate Director of Health Quality Programs prior to applying.

How competitive are your admissions?

Both programs are competitive programs. We do not release admissions statistics but we encourage all interested individuals to apply.

How many applicants do you accept each year?

MScHQ

We accept approximately 50-60 students in each academic year.

PhDHQ

Acceptance numbers depend significantly on supervisor availability and a prospective student's match with a supervisor. Prospective students are encouraged to connect with potential supervisors prior to applying to help adjudicators determine a good match. You can find more information on this policy here

When do admissions open/close?

Applications are open through the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs in September of each year. Please note that your referees will not receive the link to the reference questionnaire until after you have submitted your application, so we recommend applying at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline in order to provide your referees sufficient time.

The PhDHQ deadline for the online application through the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is February 1 of each year.

The Master of Science in Health Quality Program may accept applications after February 1. Interested candidates must contact the program before applying to ensure there is space available.

Do you have early admissions?

No. At this time, we are not currently accepting early admissions for either program.

When will I hear back about my application?

MScHQ

The majority of admission offers are sent in March or April.

PhDHQ

Admission decisions for successful applications will be e-mailed by late March/early April each year.* There may be a delay for applicants who have been waitlisted. All application files will be officially closed by late-August.

*Please note that the volume of applications may affect the standard decision timeline. If you are concerned about the status of your application please check your application status on the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs application portal before emailing HQprograms@queensu.ca