Health Studies

Help shape a healthier society with your health studies bachelor’s degree from the University of Regina. You will learn about the social, psychological, Indigenous, and biological determinants of health and wellbeing and how to use the right tools to understand and evaluate health-related theory, research and policy. Take your first step towards a career in areas such as:

• Policy development
• Health promotion
• Knowledge translation
• Management
• Programming

The Bachelor of Health Studies is jointly administered between the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and the Faculty of Arts in partnership with First Nations University of Canada.

In the health studies bachelor’s degree program, you will gain a broad understanding of how determinants of health shape the wellbeing of people, families and communities. This includes experiences of illnesses and diseases, but also what people need to live healthy lives.

You can also choose an optional concentration area in Indigenous Health and Well-Being offered through the First Nations University of Canada. 

In addition, the undergraduate certificate in health studies or diploma in health studies can get you started, or help you ladder into the full bachelor’s program.

If you want to pursue a professional program, such as medicine physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, or dentistry the Bachelor of Health Studies provides you with flexibility through approved and open electives.

Get career-ready with a 15-week, full-time fieldwork experience, applying what you learned from studying this major.

U of R’s Health Studies programs provide multiple pathways to multiple career destinations in the health and human services sector. Come and find the pathway that’s right for you.

Certificate in Health Studies

Start your health studies journey with our one-year Certificate in Health Studies program. This certificate can be used to transition into the two-year diploma program, or the four-year bachelor’s degree program.

Diploma in Health Studies

Our two-year Diploma in Health Studies program provides you with an overview of more areas of health studies. You can use your diploma to transition into the four-year bachelor’s degree program.

What Is Health Studies?

Health studies draws on both the social sciences and the natural sciences. It examines holistic well-being, which includes the mental, emotional, spiritual, physiological, and biological functioning of individuals, families, and communities. The U of R health studies programs also focus on the determinants of health and illness, and give you a broad understanding of health and the actions that benefit health. Our partnership with the First Nations University of Canada provides you the opportunity to learn more about Indigenous health and well-being.

Some unique courses in the University of Regina’s health studies bachelor’s degree program include:

• Understanding Health and Illness examines the major theories and models of health and illness, including biomedical, health promotion, and population health.
• Health in Canada explores the political, economic and social history of health and health care in Canada.
• Health Issues is a broad examination of selected contemporary health issues.
• Traditional Indigenous Health Concepts is typically taught by an Elder and provides you with many unique experiences, both on the land and in the classroom.

Your health studies courses will also include statistics and research methods, as well as courses focused on individual research. You will also learn to conduct Indigenous health research in respectful and culturally appropriate ways.

A major component of this health studies degree is an emphasis on understanding Indigenous health needs as a foundation for addressing inequities in health.