Doctorate in Philosophy Education (Health Professions Education) at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Education with a concentration in Health Professions Education at the University of Ottawa is designed for individuals aiming to become expert educators, school administrators, research leaders, or program evaluators. This program provides a rich environment for students to engage with faculty and community partners, fostering innovative research and educational practices. The program is offered in both English and French, allowing students to benefit from the diverse educational landscape of Canada’s capital. Graduates will acquire the necessary qualifications to make a significant impact in their communities and advance their careers in the field of education.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Education (Health Professions Education) is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience. The program typically spans a minimum of four years, allowing students to engage deeply with their research and coursework. Key features of the program structure include:

Individualized program design determined by an interim adviser in consultation with the student.
Students are encouraged to begin exploratory work on their research topics early in the program.
Completion of a minimum of six courses, with the possibility of reducing the course load to five for those with a relevant master's degree.
Incorporation of a thesis component, which includes a comprehensive examination and a doctoral thesis.
Opportunities for research collaboration and integration of coursework with research topics.

Students in the Health Professions Education concentration will also have specific requirements tailored to their focus area, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Education (Health Professions Education) offers several unique experiences that enhance the learning journey:

Research opportunities in various educational settings, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts.
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and laboratories dedicated to educational research.
Participation in seminars that critically examine current issues in health professions education.
Collaboration with faculty members who are leaders in their fields, providing mentorship and guidance throughout the program.
Opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary projects that address complex educational challenges.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Education (Health Professions Education) can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

University Professor: Teaching and conducting research in higher education institutions, contributing to the academic community.
Educational Consultant: Advising educational organizations on curriculum development, instructional strategies, and program evaluation.
Program Director: Overseeing educational programs in health professions, ensuring quality and compliance with educational standards.
Researcher: Conducting studies in health professions education, contributing to the body of knowledge in the field.
Policy Analyst: Analyzing and developing educational policies related to health professions, influencing decision-making at various levels.

These roles allow graduates to leverage their expertise in education to make meaningful contributions to the field and society at large.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Education and Concentration Health Professions Education, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

Hold a master's degree with thesis in Education or the equivalent with an overall average of 75% (B+).

Be proficient in English.

See the admission requirements for details.

Average time to completion

16 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Health Professions Education

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF C1/C2 (note globale)/ TEF C1/C2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 100/New TOEFL 5 (Internet-based) Program where the language of instruction is English: IELTS: A score of 7 in three individual tests and 6 in the fourth test. CAEL: 70 (overall and individual)
Required document(s):	Letter of intent Approval of thesis/MRP supervisor form Resume required. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF C1/C2 (note globale)/ TEF C1/C2 (Note globale) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 100/New TOEFL 5 (Internet-based)

Program where the language of instruction is English:

IELTS: A score of 7 in three individual tests and 6 in the fourth test.

CAEL: 70 (overall and individual)

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!