What kind of time requirements are there on a weekly basis per course?
Online courses usually require the same amount of time as face-to-face graduate courses, ranging from 8-12 hours per week of time for reading, preparation and participating in online discussions.  Some weeks when assignments are due will require additional time.

How much time is spent online per week?
Usually learners need to be reading and responding to class postings 3-4 times per week. Participation (both quality and quantity) is evaluated in all required online courses so the learner must establish ‘a presence’ in the online class. Discussion is in asynchronous time so you have a great deal of flexibility when you ‘attend’ class.

Is the program entirely online or are there in class components?
The part-time MHM program is offered primarily on-line, with two short on-site residency periods (three days each on-site at McMaster University in term 1 and term 6 of the program).  These residency periods allow students to build rapport with other students in their cohort and to meet faculty members who may serve as an advisor for the student's scholarly paper.  
Some onsite courses at McMaster University or other universities (if approved) can be taken as electives.

How long can I take to complete the program?
The program will take 32 months to complete.

I don't think I meet the requirement of being part of a regulated health profession?

The Admissions Committee for the MHM Program will consider applicants who are not part of a regulated health profession if:

a)      you have a four year bachelors degree; and

b)      you have considerable experience within the health care system

Applicants who are not part of a regulated health profession must complete the
 'Determining equivalency for non-regulated health professional applicants' form. This form is found as a link on the application website.

I have a diploma in a health profession.  Would I be considered for the program?
We do consider applicants with a diploma on a case by case basis. However you need to demonstrate you are able to complete the academic work through courses taken or presentations done at national/international conferences or publications or research grants that have been funded. We are willing to consider your application but it is important for you to be clear in your written submission (about your career goals and your fit with the program) about your experience and any additional university courses you have taken. If that is your situation, please let us know so we can discuss it in more detail with you.

Do I need Academic References?

Yes, academic references are required for all applicants.  We suggest you contact the last program you were enrolled in.  In our experience, faculty do remember students for a long period of time.  If this proves to be challenging, please be in contact with us, and we will help you address this issue.

What is the admission process and how many students will be accepted in September?

Once we consider applicants appropriate for the program, we make a recommendation for admission to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS).  It is then the SGS that makes the final offer based on our recommendation and their review of your academic record.

Can I apply for the PhD program if I complete this program?
At McMaster we would consider you for the PhD program if you can demonstrate evidence of research capability such as published papers, grants funded. Other universities might require qualifying course(s). 

What is the Course Schedule?

The Course Schedule is available on the web.  Please note that this program is structured for part time study only. Cohorts will go through together, thus taking courses as they are offered during the terms (September – December; January – April; May – August). For actual dates, please consult the Graduate Calendar for sessional dates. The scholarly paper will take place over two terms at end of the program (please refer to the course schedule for the guidelines of when it can begin and end).

Can I take an elective before the program starts?

It is not possible to pay in advance for courses but you can take an elective as a post-degree student and then transfer that course to the MHM program. You can only do this with one course. If you are interested in this option you should contact mhm@mcmaster.ca as soon as possible since this approval takes a bit of time.

What kind of computer do I need?
Learners require access to a computer that meets the course technical requirements and can access the Internet on a regular basis.  Learners should also be comfortable using a keyboard and have an active E-mail account.

The McMaster University Online Learning System is called Avenue to Learn produced by Desire2Learn.  It is possible to participate in the program using a Mac or Windows platforms. 
In order to get the most of your online experience we suggest learners have computer systems with the minimum hardware and software requirements.

Windows:
Processor: Pentium III at 500MHz or higher
Memory (RAM): 256MB RAM minimum (512MB or more preferred)
Operating System: Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7.

Mac:
Processor: Power Macintosh or higher
Memory (RAM): 512MB or more preferred
Operating System: Mac OS 10.3 or higher

Some courses will need plug-ins such as:
Flash player, QuickTime, Adobe Reader and Java Runtime Environment. 

Where do I send my completed application forms?
Please ensure all application documents are sent to:

Admissions Committee, Health Management
School of Rehabilitation Science
McMaster University
1400 Main Street West, IAHS 402
Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 1C7