SACKVILLE, NB – Mount Allison University is introducing a new degree program with a multifaceted approach to the study of health — a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, understanding health is much more than understanding the body’s physiological processes. Individuals also need to understand the social, cultural, economic, and political contexts in which our conception of health is formed,” says Mount Allison University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau. “The new Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health Studies will use an interdisciplinary approach, one Mount Allison is already well-known for, to respond to important needs in a rapidly changing area.”

Pending approval from the Maritime Provinces of Higher Education Commission (MPHEC), the University plans to begin offering the program in Fall 2022 and welcome between 40 and 50 students each year.

“The interdisciplinary nature of the new health studies degree program will enable students to look at health through multiple critical lenses including social determinants, ethics, bio-medical, historical, cultural, policy, and data analytics,” says University Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research Dr. Jeff Hennessy. “It was developed by faculty members from a number of fields including biology, biochemistry and chemistry, philosophy, and sociology with input from academic areas across campus. I would like to thank our faculty members from across campus who helped lead this process.”

The new Bachelor of Arts and Science interdisciplinary degree program aims to help students prepare for careers in health-related sectors including health-care professions, policy work, advocacy, and government. Students will gain a greater understanding of health and health care by exploring a range of disciplinary perspectives and complete a capstone project as part of their degree. It is the 20th new or revamped academic program developed at Mount Allison in less than three years.

While courses for the health studies program will be offered in departments across campus, several new courses specific to the health studies program are being added to the University’s academic calendar including eight new health studies-specific courses as well as a capstone course. Health studies will also be available as a degree minor to students in other programs at Mount Allison.

“Mount Allison’s personalized admissions process and financial aid application will allow students in health studies to demonstrate not only their academic achievements but also their achievements in, and commitments to, their communities and other activities, including those related to health,” says Kutay Ulkuer, Mount Allison’s director of recruitment, admissions, and awards. “We have seen many Mount Allison graduates go on to pursue health services-related careers and look forward to welcoming many more with this exciting new program focused on health studies.”

More information on the prospective Health Studies program at Mount Allison is available: mta.ca/programs/healthstudies

Mount Allison now offers more than 50 academic programs: mta.ca/programs