WACH Degrees Offered

MSc Program     PhD Program     Enhanced Scholars Program     WACH Courses

The Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH) Program curriculum is based on creating scientific experts that have career competencies across six domains, including scholarship, professionalism, communication, collaboration, leadership and advocacy. These competencies are represented by the Competency Passport Framework (ComPass).

WACH learners choose one of 3 streams and complete courses and training relevant to their chosen stream:

    • Women+ Health
    • Child Health
    • Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (RDS)

Competency Passport Framework (ComPass)

Unique Program Elements

The WACH program encourages integration across Departments and Schools at UBC, and facilitate experiences that creatively bridges bench to bedside to populations.

We encourage professional development for our students in the Graduate Student Enhanced Scholar Program, which is composed of:

The curriculum incorporates Competence by Design and emphasizes the Enhanced Scholar program. The ComPass is adapted with permission from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Master of Science (MSc)

This program is a full-time, 30 credit program, with:

  • 2 core courses (6 credits)
  • At least 2 elective courses (6 credits)
  • MSc thesis (18 credits)

Anticipated time to completion: 2 years.

The curriculum incorporates competence by design, and training will be through didactic lectures, including case- and/or problem-based learning, seminars, and/or laboratory work in the coursework. Students will also complete supervised thesis research.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD students undertake large-scale research projects (minimum 4 years of research), culminating in the preparation of a PhD dissertation describing their original research contributions.

This program is a 30 credit program, with:

  • 2 core courses (6 credits)
  • At least 2 elective courses (6 credits)
  • PhD dissertation (18 credits)

The PhD can be pursued either full-time (5 years) or part-time (8 years).

Students can also complete the optional Graduate Student Enhanced Scholar Program, which includes an individual development plan (IDP), a competency passport, and formal mentorship. Inclusion, and a specific focus on Indigeneity, are key components of the WACH program towards the goal of achieving a faculty and student body reflecting BC demographics, and a learning environment that embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion.

WACH Courses

WACH is an “umbrella-style” program, where students choose one of 3 streams and complete courses and training relevant to their chosen stream:

  • Women+ Health
  • Child Health
  • Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (RDS)