FAQs
What is Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies?
Community Rehabilitation supports individuals and families affected by disabling conditions and chronic health concerns to live, learn, work, and participate in their communities. Community Rehabilitation includes the design, delivery and management of community-based services that offer short-term assistance and ongoing support. As such, Community Rehabilitation responds to the challenges of health, education, legal and social reform to empower individuals and communities.
Disability Studies is a field of study which challenges the traditional deficit-based "medical model" of disability and espouses a "social model" of disability. The social model argues that disability results from society's failure to adapt to the needs of impaired people.
In 1993 an official definition of disability studies was adopted by the Society for Disability Studies http://www.disstudies.org/, a professional organization of academics from around the world. The definition states that Disability Studies, among other things:
"examines the policies and practices of all societies to understand the social, rather than the physical or psychological determinants of the experience of disability. Disability Studies has been developed to disentangle impairments from the myths, ideology and stigma that influence social interaction and social policy. The scholarship challenges the idea that the economic and social statuses and the assigned roles of people with disabilities are the inevitable outcomes of their condition".
What does CORE stand for in the course name?
CORE is an acronym for COmmunity REhabilitation
Master of Disability and Community Studies MDCS (course based Masters)
Description
The Masters of Disability and Community Studies program is a course-based graduate program for working professionals in the field of community rehabilitation and disability studies.
Students are able to work full time and complete their studies in three years if following the course schedule in sequence. The maximum length of time in program is 6 years.
Students will complete a capstone project/paper in their area of interest and present the final document publicly to their student cohort.
Required MDCS Courses
- CORE 603.15 Foundations & Futures of Disability and Community Studies
- CORE 603.12 Politics of Inclusion & Exclusion: A study of law, policy and ethics
- CORE 603.13 Leadership & Innovation
- 1 half credit Quantitative Research Methods (May be taken on campus, on line and/or at another institution)
- CORE 676 Consultation in Human Services & Systems
- CORE 603.18 Social Construction & Health Capacity
- CORE 624.20 Specialization Theory and Practice: A collaborative inquiry capstone
- 3 half credit graduate courses (Options/Electives)
MDCS Mandatory Course Schedule
Department of Community Health Sciences
| Winter - January session | Spring - April session | Summer - June to August | Fall - September Session | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year One | CORE 603.15 CORE 603.12 |
CORE 603.13 | Research course | CORE 676 CORE 603.18 |
| Year Two | CORE 676 | CORE 676 | CORE 624.20 | |
| Year Three | CORE 624.20 |
Recommended Electives
CRDS has other graduate courses (on campus & on line) that may be of interest to the student's area of specialization. Please see Course descriptions for Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
Notes on Elective Courses
Courses can be taken from the CRDS, CHS graduate program or other U of C graduate programs. Students may take graduate courses at other Canadian university institutions by completing a Letter of Permission. Please consult with the CRDS graduate advisor before registering
for any outside program graduate courses.
Masters of Disability and Community Studies (MDCS) Competencies
http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/node/217
MDCS Application Procedures
Application Deadline - August 15 for admission the following January.
- Submit an online application to the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS). Select the following:
Degree: Master of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies (MDCS)
Program: Community Health Sciences
(enter specialization area from within the application) - Submit a non-refundable Application Fee of $100.00 CDN ($130.00 CDN for international students).
- Submit supporting documentation together in one package to the Graduate Program Administrator in the Department of Community Health Sciences:
- curriculum vitae or resume that includes publications, presentations and funding
- official transcripts (and degree certificates if the transcript does not mention the granting of the degree) from all post secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there.
*"official" = submitted in an unopened, original envelope sealed by the academic institution.
*for non-English official transcripts, a certified English translation must also be provided. - two letters of reference on Faculty of Medicine reference forms
*submit reference letters in their original sealed unopened envelopes, with the signature of the referee across the seal - "application fee if not submitted online with the application
MDCS Admission Requirements
For all admissions into the Department of Community Health Sciences programs, the minimum grade-point average (GPA) is 3.2 on a 4-point system; approximately equivalent to a B+ on courses in the last two years of undergraduate study.
- minimum 4 year undergraduate degree from a recognized institution
- Minimum 3 years of work and/or life experience in the related field
Note: In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements but who have significant life achievements may be considered for admission to some graduate programs. The candidate must provide the relevant graduate program with evidence demonstrating a potential to undertake successfully the proposed program of studies. Such candidates are advised to make early contact with the graduate program. In all cases, the decision whether or not to admit rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Excerpt from "Resource Handbook", Faculty of Graduate Studies
MSc Program
Description
Students admitted to the MSc program typically have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree. Many also have work experience in health related fields and/or health research.
The maximum length of time in the program is 4 years; however, the majority complete their degree in 2.5 years.
Graduates from the MSc program are expected to have developed the competencies to work in a research team. Preparation includes participation in course work, seminars, journal clubs as well as working on a research project.
The final step in the MSc program is to develop a research proposal that is approved by the Conjoint Ethics Board and complete, write-up and defend the thesis.
If you choose to apply to the general CHS MSc your course requirements are http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/current/msc/requirements
If you want to do the MSc under CRDS the required courses can be found at http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/files/communityhealthsciences/CRDS Competencies - Revised November 26 2009_0.pdf
MSc Application Procedures
Application Deadline - January 15 for admission the following September. (This includes all supporting documentation for your application.)
- Submit an online application to the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS). Select the following:
Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
Program: Community Health Sciences
(enter specialization area from within the application)
Note: Master of Community Medicine program is only open to physicians registered in the Community Medicine Residency Training Program - Submit a non-refundable Application Fee of $100.00 CDN ($130.00 CDN for international students).
- Obtain a letter from a CHS faculty member to indicate an interest in supervising your studies in CHS. (This support letter can be emailed directly to the Graduate Administrator by the faculty member.)
- Submit supporting documentation together in one package to the Graduate Program Administrator in the Department of Community Health Sciences:
- curriculum vitae or resume that includes publications, presentations and funding
- official transcripts (and degree certificates if the transcript does not mention the granting of the degree) from all post secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there.
*"official" = submitted in an unopened, original envelope sealed by the academic institution.
*for non-English official transcripts, a certified English translation must also be provided. - two letters of reference on Faculty of Medicine reference forms
*submit reference letters in their original sealed unopened envelopes, with the signature of the referee across the seal - "application fee if not submitted online with the application
Application Review Criteria and Suggestions provide tips for improving your application.
Please go here for further information http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/node/175
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program
Description
Students admitted to the PhD program typically have completed a thesis-based Master's degree.
The maximum length of time in the program is 6 years; however, the majority complete their degree in 4.5 years or less.
Graduates from the PhD program are expected to develop the necessary competencies to become independent researchers. Preparation includes participation in course work (including independent studies), seminars, journal clubs as well as working as a member of a research team.
A final thesis proposal must be approved by the student's supervisory committee and the candidacy exam completed prior to beginning work on the thesis.
The final step in the PhD program is to conduct a research study that is approved by the Conjoint Ethics Board and complete, write-up and defend the dissertation.
If you choose to apply to the general CHS MSc your course requirements are http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/current/phd/requirements
If you want to do the PhD under CRDS the required courses can be found at http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/files/communityhealthsciences/CRDS%20Competencies%20-%20Revised%20November%2026%202009_0.pdfPhD Application Procedures
Application Deadline - January 15 for admission the following September. (This includes all supporting documentation for your application.)
- Submit an online application to the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS). Select the following:
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Program: Community Health Sciences
(enter specialization area from within the application)
Note: Master of Community Medicine program is only open to physicians registered in the Community Medicine Residency Training Program - Submit a non-refundable Application Fee of $100.00 CDN ($130.00 CDN for international students).
- Obtain a letter from a CHS faculty member to indicate an interest in supervising your studies in CHS. (This support letter can be emailed directly to the Graduate Administrator by the faculty member.)
- Submit supporting documentation together in one package to the Graduate Program Administrator in the Department of Community Health Sciences:
- curriculum vitae or resume that includes publications, presentations and funding
- official transcripts (and degree certificates if the transcript does not mention the granting of the degree) from all post secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there.
*"official" = submitted in an unopened, original envelope sealed by the academic institution.
*for non-English official transcripts, a certified English translation must also be provided. - two letters of reference on Faculty of Medicine reference forms
*submit reference letters in their original sealed unopened envelopes, with the signature of the referee across the seal - "application fee if not submitted online with the application
Application Review Criteria and Suggestions provide tips for improving your application.
Please go here for further information http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/node/176
Admission Requirements for the MSc and PhD
For all thesis-based programs, the minimum grade-point average (GPA) is 3.2 on a 4-point system; approximately equivalent to a B+ on courses in the last two years of undergraduate study.
MSc
- Baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a recognized institution
- Successful applicants typically have a GPA greater than 3.4
- MSc or equivalent from a recognized institution
- Successful applicants typically have a GPA greater than 3.6
For foreign transcripts, grade conversions and minimum GPA's are found at International Requirements for Admission
http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/prospective/admission/min
Interdisciplinary Degrees
A student wishing to pursue a thesis-based degree in an area not sufficiently represented by one graduate program may be admitted both to a home program and a conjoint program in an interdisciplinary specialization. CRDS does have this arrangement for students interested in an interdisciplinary thesis-based degree. Please go to: http://ucalgary.ca/igp/ for further details.
How do classes take place for the MDSC, MSc and PhD within the CRDS program?
Required courses for the MDSC, MSc and PhD are delivered in a work-study model. Students come to Calgary, Alberta (FCJ Conference Centre) for five intensive sessions.
In year one, students are expected to attend a 5 -7 day institute in January, April and September.
In year two, students are expected to attend sessions in January and April. Elective courses are taken at the discretion of the student and are based on course availability.
Students missing a required course during one of the sessions will have to register for it in the following year; this may cause the student's program to go beyond the time normally expected.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/node/219
For example, the following courses are delivered during these intensive sessions.
January
CORE 603.15 Foundations & Futures of Disability and Community Studies
CORE 603.12 Politics of Inclusion & Exclusion: A study of law, policy, and ethics
April
CORE 603.13 Leadership & Innovation
September
CORE 676 Consultations in Human Services & Systems
CORE 603.18 Social Construction: Health Capacity & Disability
How do I register for classes once I am accepted into the program?
Registration for courses is done on-line through the my.ucalgary.ca website.
What does TBA mean on the course timetable?
TBA = to be announced. This is used for our courses delivered during the intensive session and on-line courses.