For full-time students, the MSc program typically is completed in two years but has a maximum completion time of three years. Certain courses are offered in a blended learning format.
MSc Programs
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Family Medicine (Thesis) (45 credits)
Family Medicine (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Family Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science in Family Medicine is a research-oriented, two-year graduate program of 45 credits. The program focuses on core methodologies, frameworks, and applications of scientific principles within the realm of family medicine research.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 697 | Master's Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent work under the direction of a supervisor in a designated area of research. | ||
| FMED 698 | Master's Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent work under the direction of a supervisor in a designated area of research. | ||
Required Courses (13 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 505 | Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 1. | 3 |
Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction of epidemiological concepts, data analysis, and methods applicable to primary care research. | ||
| FMED 509 | Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 2. | 3 |
Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Intermediate epidemiological concepts, data analysis, and methods applicable to primary care research. | ||
| FMED 603 | Foundations of Participatory Research . | 1 |
Foundations of Participatory Research . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles and main applications of modern participatory research in health organizations. | ||
| FMED 614 | Foundations of Mixed Methods Research. | 2 |
Foundations of Mixed Methods Research. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic training in how to conduct mixed methods research, the most common types of mixed methods research designs, and mixed studies reviews. | ||
| FMED 616 | Applied Literature Reviews. | 1 |
Applied Literature Reviews. Terms offered: Winter 2026 How to conduct a rigorous literature review in the context of primary care with an opportunity to develop an outline of a literature review section of one’s thesis or to develop a protocol for a systematic review. | ||
| FMED 625 | Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health. | 3 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction, discussion, and practice of qualitative methodologies and methods for conducting rigorous and reflective qualitative research projects in health, with particular focus on family medicine education and health professions education. | ||
Elective Courses (8 credits)
8 credits at the 500 level or higher chosen by the student and the Department in consultation with the student’s thesis supervisor(s) of which 3 credits may be chosen from another department at McGill.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 504 | Family Medicine Research Seminars. | 1 |
Family Medicine Research Seminars. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research seminars on various topics relevant to family medicine research. | ||
| FMED 525 | Foundations of Translational Science. | 3 |
Foundations of Translational Science. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An overview of multidisciplinary research that bridges significant gaps between basic, clinical medicine and public policy that enables a translation of knowledge to practice. | ||
| FMED 601 | Advanced Topics in Family Medicine. | 3 |
Advanced Topics in Family Medicine. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Scientific communication; curriculum design and development; professional development; and setting appropriate goals for a successful academic research program in family medicine and primary care. | ||
| FMED 604 | Advanced Participatory Research in Health. | 3 |
Advanced Participatory Research in Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Overview of participatory research with community, clinical, and organisational stakeholders. Content focuses on participatory engagement and data collection methods, while students have an opportunity to work through aspects of their participatory project with the help of group discussions, small group work, roleplay, and guest presentations from actual participatory projects. | ||
| FMED 605 | AI and Analytical Decision-Making in Healthcare. | 1 |
AI and Analytical Decision-Making in Healthcare. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of the role of data and value informed decision-making in better health and healthcare. Includes the concepts, methods and techniques obtained from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and operations research (OR) for optimal, high quality decision-making in healthcare. Also introduces the concept of shared decision-making and its tools to meaningfully engage patients in decision-making process in healthcare. | ||
| FMED 606 | Operational Issues in Survey Methods in Primary Care. | 1 |
Operational Issues in Survey Methods in Primary Care. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Operational issues of questionnaire design, sampling, contact and recruitment of respondents and preparation for analysis that will enhance response rates and minimize errors in data collected by surveys. The content will be highly relevant for those who anticipate having a survey as part of their current or future research program. | ||
| FMED 608 | Advanced Mixed Methods Seminar in Health Research. | 1 |
Advanced Mixed Methods Seminar in Health Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced epistemological and methodological approaches for graduate students in order to improve their understanding of the approaches and to apply them in their research projects. Students also develop the ability to read and critique peers' mixed methods research projects. | ||
| FMED 610 | Foundations of Family Medicine. | 1 |
Foundations of Family Medicine. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The history, philosophical foundations, clinical method, and key principles of family medicine within Quebec, Canada, and internationally. | ||
| FMED 611 | Healthcare Systems, Policy and Performance. | 3 |
Healthcare Systems, Policy and Performance. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A critical review of healthcare systems, especially primary care systems, focuses on Quebec and indicative global settings. Explores options and approaches for using evidence to influence policy and to improve primary healthcare systems, and addresses methods for evaluating performance of healthcare services. | ||
| FMED 612 | Evaluation Research and Implementation Science. | 1 |
Evaluation Research and Implementation Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction of how to critically appraise available evidence to become familiar with methods specific to intervention implementation and program evaluation in the context of family medicine practice with an opportunity to develop an evaluation protocol for a specific program that responds to the expectations of clinicians-managers in primary care. | ||
| FMED 615 | Applied Knowledge Translation and Exchange in Health. | 1 |
Applied Knowledge Translation and Exchange in Health. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Intended for health care practitioners, planners, and researchers, especially in resource-poor settings in Canada and internationally, students will be exposed to behaviour change models; techniques for critical evaluation of existing evidence; accountability in health services; and scientific writing and presenting, using a blended learning approach. | ||
| FMED 619 | Program Management in Global Health and Primary Health Care. | 3 |
Program Management in Global Health and Primary Health Care. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Program management design, theory, methods and practical applications in both domestic and global health settings, with a focus on primary health care in order to achieve rapid scale-up of effective health interventions towards universal coverage while strengthening health systems for sustained impact. | ||
| FMED 621 | Participatory Health Systems for Safe Birth . | 1 |
Participatory Health Systems for Safe Birth . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploring engagement and participation in promoting safe birth in cultural safety, this course aims to foster innovative, meaningful and effective engagement of women, men and communities in maternal and child healthcare systems, in a way that addresses current global and local realities and in a way that transcends historical challenges. | ||
| FMED 690 | Advanced Ethnography: Context, Complexity and Coordination. | 3 |
Advanced Ethnography: Context, Complexity and Coordination. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Addressing the rationale and assumptions of ethnography, including the practices, processes and strategies to set up, conduct, analyze, write up and provide feedback to participants. This exploration will come from a project based on deep and immersed observation in order to develop an understanding of shared meaning systems (i.e., culture). | ||
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Family Medicine (Thesis): Global Health (45 credits)
Family Medicine (Thesis): Global Health (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Family Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The M.Sc. in Family Medicine; Global Health emphasizes the foundational values of global primary health care including health equity, cultural safety, social participation in health, and integrated, whole-person care over the life-span. The program provides comprehensive training in quantitative and qualitative methods, the participatory research approach, and integrated knowledge translation and exchange. Topics include primary health care policy and practice, decolonizing approaches, program management, social determinants of health and heath equity, and healthcare delivery innovations. The thesis must focus on an international or Canadian global health issue.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 697 | Master's Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent work under the direction of a supervisor in a designated area of research. | ||
| FMED 698 | Master's Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent work under the direction of a supervisor in a designated area of research. | ||
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 504 | Family Medicine Research Seminars. | 1 |
Family Medicine Research Seminars. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research seminars on various topics relevant to family medicine research. | ||
| FMED 505 | Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 1. | 3 |
Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction of epidemiological concepts, data analysis, and methods applicable to primary care research. | ||
| FMED 603 | Foundations of Participatory Research . | 1 |
Foundations of Participatory Research . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles and main applications of modern participatory research in health organizations. | ||
| FMED 615 | Applied Knowledge Translation and Exchange in Health. | 1 |
Applied Knowledge Translation and Exchange in Health. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Intended for health care practitioners, planners, and researchers, especially in resource-poor settings in Canada and internationally, students will be exposed to behaviour change models; techniques for critical evaluation of existing evidence; accountability in health services; and scientific writing and presenting, using a blended learning approach. | ||
| FMED 625 | Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health. | 3 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction, discussion, and practice of qualitative methodologies and methods for conducting rigorous and reflective qualitative research projects in health, with particular focus on family medicine education and health professions education. | ||
Complementary Courses (7 or 9 credits)
7 or 9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 506 | Indigenous Perspectives Decolonizing Health Research. | 3 |
Indigenous Perspectives Decolonizing Health Research. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An examination and reflection of traditional Indigenous world view and ways of knowing; the Canadian colonization and assimilation experience and their outcomes and impacts; and the contemporary Indigenous health research landscape bringing Indigenous ways of knowing and practice into the field and to future studies. | ||
| FMED 527 | Inuit Health in Canadian Context. | 1 |
Inuit Health in Canadian Context. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Exploration of the cultural roots of Inuit health prior to the arrival of Europeans; the risks to health introduced by imported disease and colonial institutions; the complexity of navigating modern health systems; and the paths to regain better health. Particular focus on the Nunavik region of Quebec. | ||
| FMED 604 | Advanced Participatory Research in Health. | 3 |
Advanced Participatory Research in Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Overview of participatory research with community, clinical, and organisational stakeholders. Content focuses on participatory engagement and data collection methods, while students have an opportunity to work through aspects of their participatory project with the help of group discussions, small group work, roleplay, and guest presentations from actual participatory projects. | ||
| FMED 611 | Healthcare Systems, Policy and Performance. | 3 |
Healthcare Systems, Policy and Performance. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A critical review of healthcare systems, especially primary care systems, focuses on Quebec and indicative global settings. Explores options and approaches for using evidence to influence policy and to improve primary healthcare systems, and addresses methods for evaluating performance of healthcare services. | ||
| FMED 619 | Program Management in Global Health and Primary Health Care. | 3 |
Program Management in Global Health and Primary Health Care. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Program management design, theory, methods and practical applications in both domestic and global health settings, with a focus on primary health care in order to achieve rapid scale-up of effective health interventions towards universal coverage while strengthening health systems for sustained impact. | ||
| PPHS 511 | Fundamentals of Global Health. | 3 |
Fundamentals of Global Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This exciting and interactive course aims to give students the opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge of global health issues, including global burden of diseases, determinants of health, transition in health and drivers of such transition, challenges in healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, and the variety of agencies and actors engaged in addressing global health challenges. The course consists of lectures, case studies, debates, discussions and small group work. | ||
| PPHS 613 | The Practice of Global Health. | 3 |
The Practice of Global Health. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to core competencies in the practice of global health, including historical, colonial roots of global health, project planning and implementation, equitable and ethical conduct, building partnerships, working within interdisciplinary teams, effective communication and personal-social skills. | ||
Elective Courses (3 or 5 credits)
3 or 5 credits at the 500 level or higher chosen in consultation with the student’s thesis supervisor and the Director of the concentration, based on the student's area of interest.
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Family Medicine (Thesis): Medical Education (45 credits)
Family Medicine (Thesis): Medical Education (M.Sc.)(45 credits)
Offered by: Family Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The M.Sc. in Family Medicine; Medical Education focuses on educating future scholars in family medicine education research. The program includes teaching and learning in research methodologies while emphasizing training in educational theories and topics, with a particular attention to health professions education. The thesis must concern an educational issue related to family medicine.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
Thesis subject should be related to medical education.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 697 | Master's Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent work under the direction of a supervisor in a designated area of research. | ||
| FMED 698 | Master's Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent work under the direction of a supervisor in a designated area of research. | ||
Required Courses (12 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPE 637 | Issues in Health Professions Education. | 3 |
Issues in Health Professions Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of health professions education issues, including: learning and assessment in the clinical setting, medical core competencies, design, delivery and evaluation of health professions education programs, organization management of health professions education programs and systems, organizational change and leadership, clinical reasoning and decision making, interdisciplinary education. | ||
| FMED 505 | Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 1. | 3 |
Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction of epidemiological concepts, data analysis, and methods applicable to primary care research. | ||
| FMED 610 | Foundations of Family Medicine. | 1 |
Foundations of Family Medicine. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The history, philosophical foundations, clinical method, and key principles of family medicine within Quebec, Canada, and internationally. | ||
| FMED 614 | Foundations of Mixed Methods Research. | 2 |
Foundations of Mixed Methods Research. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic training in how to conduct mixed methods research, the most common types of mixed methods research designs, and mixed studies reviews. | ||
| FMED 625 | Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health. | 3 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction, discussion, and practice of qualitative methodologies and methods for conducting rigorous and reflective qualitative research projects in health, with particular focus on family medicine education and health professions education. | ||
Complementary courses (9 credits)
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FMED 509 | Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 2. | 3 |
Epidemiology and Data Analysis in Primary Care 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Intermediate epidemiological concepts, data analysis, and methods applicable to primary care research. | ||
| FMED 603 | Foundations of Participatory Research . | 1 |
Foundations of Participatory Research . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles and main applications of modern participatory research in health organizations. | ||
| FMED 606 | Operational Issues in Survey Methods in Primary Care. | 1 |
Operational Issues in Survey Methods in Primary Care. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Operational issues of questionnaire design, sampling, contact and recruitment of respondents and preparation for analysis that will enhance response rates and minimize errors in data collected by surveys. The content will be highly relevant for those who anticipate having a survey as part of their current or future research program. | ||
| FMED 615 | Applied Knowledge Translation and Exchange in Health. | 1 |
Applied Knowledge Translation and Exchange in Health. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Intended for health care practitioners, planners, and researchers, especially in resource-poor settings in Canada and internationally, students will be exposed to behaviour change models; techniques for critical evaluation of existing evidence; accountability in health services; and scientific writing and presenting, using a blended learning approach. | ||
| FMED 616 | Applied Literature Reviews. | 1 |
Applied Literature Reviews. Terms offered: Winter 2026 How to conduct a rigorous literature review in the context of primary care with an opportunity to develop an outline of a literature review section of one’s thesis or to develop a protocol for a systematic review. | ||
6 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDEC 612 | Digital Media and Learning. | 3 |
Digital Media and Learning. Terms offered: Summer 2025 This course addresses emerging theories, pedagogies, and practices related to youth learning through digital media and online participatory cultures. Through direct engagement with multiple forms of digital media and youth, students will consider implications for teaching and learning within and beyond schools. | ||
| EDEM 644 | Curriculum Development and Implementation. | 3 |
Curriculum Development and Implementation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Explores and critiques the processes of curriculum development, implementation and evaluation in relation to the field of curriculum studies. The focus will be on the role of the educator/leader as a curriculum professional in formal and non-formal learning environments. | ||
| EDEM 673 | Leadership Theory in Education. | 3 |
Leadership Theory in Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Explores theory and research on leadership approaches (including leadership styles, strategies, and communication practices) and the role of leadership theory in educational settings. | ||
| EDPE 635 | Theories of Learning and Instruction. | 3 |
Theories of Learning and Instruction. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An analysis of the relationship between theory and research about learning and teaching from a historical perspective. | ||
| EDPE 664 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
Critical Thinking Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Foundational and current research on the development of critical thinking in formal and informal educational settings, exploring cognitive, interpersonal, and socio-cultural dimensions. Introduction to methodologies for analyzing data related to cognitive processes. | ||
| EDPE 670 | Educational Assessment and Evaluation. | 3 |
Educational Assessment and Evaluation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theories and models of evaluation as applied to educational programs and instructional systems. Current theories of aligning assessment with curriculum and instruction goals based on the cognitive competencies required in specific practices. | ||
