Understand the complex factors that influence physical, mental and social health and well being. Challenge yourself to think critically about health in relation to social justice, politics and culture. Your courses will explore both the social and the physical determinants of health, approaches to health promotion, public health, epidemiology and program evaluation.
Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Major / Joint Honours / Minor in Health Studies
Students in the Faculty of Arts and Science are admitted into Arts or Science, but the focus is on a common first year.
High school prerequisites from Ontario include:
- English 4U;
- 5 other 4U/M courses
- Biology 4U is also recommended
Check the Queen’s Viewbook for requirements from outside of Ontario.
Recommended first year courses: HLTH 101/3.0*, HLTH 102/3.0 and PSYC 100/6.0.
*mandatory
Program Highlights
In addition to innovative, engaging, lecture-based learning the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies offer unique course opportunities. Fourth-year seminars allow you to engage with a small group of students and the professor to study a current topic in Health Studies. The Community-based Programming and Evaluation (HLTH 417) course allows students to take health theory out of the classroom and work with community partners on real-life projects. Professors encourage inquiry-based learning with a series of research courses that build from Research Methods, to a Research Internship in a research lab or program, to a fourth-year Honours Thesis Project.
“Critical thinking about the many dimensions of health, emphasizing equity and community involvement.”
Current Students
Current StudentsGet the courses you need
In first year you will have the chance to explore the foundations of Health Studies (HLTH 101/3.0 and HLTH 102/3.0).
Attend Majors Night in the Winter term to learn more about Plan options.
Get relevant experience
Join teams or clubs on campus such as Queen’s First Aid or Queen’s Health Outreach.
Take Queen’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.
See the AMS Clubs Directory or the Queen’s Get Involved page for more ideas.
Get connected with the community
Volunteer on or off-campus with different community organizations, like Queen’s Health Outreach (QHO) or the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Kingston.
Get thinking globally
Prepare for work abroad or studies in a multi-cultural environment by taking QUIC’s Intercultural Competency Certificate.
Speak to a QUIC advisor to get involved in their programs, events, and training opportunities.
Start going deeper into the discipline of Health Studies, while considering a certificate such as Disability and Physical Activity. Want to make sure your academics are where you want them to be? Visit SASS (Student Academic Support Services) and the Writing Centre for some help.
Consider applying at the end of winter term to the Community Based Practicum (HLTH 300) and/or the Research Skills Development Practicum (HLTH 352).
Get relevant experience
Look into summer jobs by talking to us or Career Services about work through SWEP or USSRF.
Take more responsibility within different clubs or extra-curricular activities.
Think about applying to positions in student services or the Alma Mater Society.
Get connected with the community
Get involved with the Health Studies Departmental Student Council (HLTH DSC).
Start or continue volunteering with organizations such as Raise the Bar. Consider becoming a Peer Health Educator with Student Wellness Services.
Get thinking globally
Is an exchange in your future? Start thinking about where you would like to study abroad. Apply in January for a third year exchange through the International Programs Office.
Get ready for life after graduation
Explore different careers by reading books in the Career Services Career Advising and Resource
Area, such as Top 100 Health-Care Careers. For more information check out Career Cruising or by finding and connecting with alumni on LinkedIn.
Attend the annual School of Kinesiology Mini-Career Fair.
Start grouping courses in areas of interest, or to keep it more general and explore many areas of Health Studies.
Meet with an Academic Advisor to make sure you are on track and have planned out your courses for next year.
Get relevant experience
Consider applying to do a 12-16 month QUIP internship between your third and fourth year.
Volunteer in the Revved Up lab.
Get connected with the community
Connect with professors at events or workshops hosted by the DSC.
Attend the Canadian Undergraduate Conference on Healthcare (CUCOH).
Get thinking globally
Build your intercultural competence by getting involved with other cultures or by practicing or improving your language skills.
Get ready for life after graduation
Do targeted networking with alumni working in careers of interest by joining the LinkedIn group Queen’s Connects. Check out Career Services networking workshops.
Research your careers of interest on the National Occupational Classification website. Start focusing on areas of interest. Research education requirements for careers of interest. If needed, prepare to take any required tests (like the LSAT or GMAT) and get help thinking about Grad School from Career Services.
Attend the annual SKHS Mini-Career Fair.
In fourth year you will have the chance to participate in research-based and seminar courses that can lead to Graduate School or to your future career path. Make sure to finish up all your courses for your major and your optional minor and/or certificate(s).
Get relevant experience
Inventory your skills and experiences and compare them to the Pan-Canadian Health Promoter Competencies.
Assess what experience you’re lacking and fill in gaps with volunteering, clubs, or internships – check out the Career Services skills workshop for help.
Get connected with the community
Familiarize yourself with different professional organizations and networks: seek memberships, join email lists, and consider attending events hosted by health-related organizations such as the Canadian Public Health Association and Health Promotion Ontario.
Get ready for life after graduation
Apply to jobs or future education, or make plans for other adventures. Get help from Career
Services with job searching, resumes, interviews, Grad School applications, or other decisions.
Review So you want a reference? before approaching professors for references.
Possible Career Paths
Government, Health Care, Education & Non-Profit
Public Health and health promotion
Epidemiology
Global Health
Counselling
Health Education
Bioethics
Complementary Medicine
Law
Medicine
Nursing
Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Gerontology
Social Work
Health and Public Administration
Nutrition and Dietetics
Culture of Learning
The faculty and teaching staff in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies (SKHS) are committed to creating an inclusive, positive, and high-quality teaching and learning environment. One of our most recent initiatives has focused on improving the "culture of learning" within SKHS through evidence-based tips and strategies to improve learning and academic performance.
Health Studies Departmental Student Council
Established in 2005, the Health Studies Departmental Student Council represents students in all HLTH degree plans and reports to the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS), which is the student governing body of the Faculty of Arts and Science. The Society was founded in 1891 and is one of the oldest faculty societies in Canada with a mandate to provide opportunities for students outside of the classroom to enrich their experience at Queen’s.
To this end, the HLTH DSC has two Co-Chairs who oversee a variety of volunteers who provide social and academic experiences for their constituents, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Academic representatives attend the School’s Academic Council and Undergraduate Sub-Committee meetings.
- Career representatives serve on the Undergraduate Career Committee which sponsors an annual SKHS Mini-Career Fair and provides workshops supporting career development.
- Social representatives sponsor events that allow students to meet outside of the classroom.
- Volunteers support many activities from special lectures, charity events, sports and so on.
- As stipulated in the Health Studies Teaching Award Guidelines, the HLTH DSC annually honours the contributions of SKHS professors and teaching assistants (TAs) teaching in their program.
2023-24 HLTH DSC Co-Chairs
- Anosha Waqar
- Stefani Robinson
Contact:hlth.president@asus.queensu.ca
The HLTH DSC is made up of approximately twenty elected members, who meet weekly. Normally all positions are filled by election at the end of the previous academic year. Questions should be directed to the Co-Chairs.
Be sure to watch for HLTH DSC notices in the UG News bi-weekly during the Fall-Winter academic session.