PhD in Health Sciences

The PhD in Health Sciences is a research-intensive doctorate administered by Lakehead University's Department of Health Sciences, with a particular focus on populations who historically experience poorer health outcomes, such as seniors and Indigenous populations. The department's stated mission is to create and mobilize knowledge to protect and promote health and to reduce health inequities through applied research, community engagement, and diverse learning opportunities. Graduates are expected to discuss and critique current and emerging issues and trends in the field, design, carry out, and defend research at an advanced level to create knowledge, and conduct research and scholarly activities consistent with expected guidelines. Applied health research is a core component of the program and includes a hands-on Research Internship in which students apply program content within a real-world applied health research setting. A potential supervisor or co-supervisor, who must be a core faculty member in the Department of Health Sciences, has to be identified before a student applies. Full-time students may complete the degree over four years (twelve terms), or over eight years (twenty-four terms) on a flexible full-time basis.