Health Quality Programs was intentionally established as an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty. As such, the faculty directory on our website is not exhaustive of all potential research mentors for prospective PhDHQ students. Prospective students are encouraged to look at faculty research profiles within our department as well as faculty in related fields to find an appropriate match. A student's primary supervisor must hold an academic appointment at Queen's, but external experts can be invited to act as committee members.

Should I connect with potential supervisors before applying?

Due to the high volume of applications to the PhDHQ program, it is not possible for our faculty members to speak with each applicant prior to applying. Successful applicants will be matched with a supervisor after the initial application review stage. Prospective students are encouraged to: 

• Identify potential supervisor(s) in your application
• State why you are interested in working with this supervisor and how working with this supervisor would be a good fit for yourself and your research
• Briefly outline how you could contribute to this supervisor's current research program

Do I have to state in my application who I would like my prospective supervisor to be?*

Identifying prospective supervisors is not required to receive an offer of admission, but it does aid adjudicators in the supervisory matching process. It also provides an opportunity for applicants to communicate their supervisor preferences (especially if it is someone outside of our department).

*Please note that supervisors will only connect with prospective students once they have made it through the initial stage of adjudication.

How do I know if the PhDHQ program is a good fit?

Consider where you want to position yourself professionally and in what specific area of research you want to develop expertise. If your answer is that you want to be an expert in health quality, then the PhDHQ degree could be the right fit for you!